Environmental mobility of trace elements present in dusts emitted from Zn–Pb metallurgical processes

Abstract

The paper presents results of investigations into possibility of migration to the soil and water environment of trace elements present in one of the main phases, zinc sulphide, emitted in dusts from various operations of pyrometallurgical extraction of Zn and Pb at the Miasteczko Śląskie Zinc Smelting Plant. The quantity of elements was estimated on the basis of: (1) dust fall, (2) zinc sulphide content in dust, (3) element content in zinc sulphide and (4) mobility of zinc sulphide under the hypergenic conditions of the soil and water environment of the Smelting Plant area. Among the elements considered, arsenic emitted with zinc sulphide contained in dusts from the Sintering Machine will pose a potential hazard for the soil and water environment of the Miasteczko Śląskie Zinc Smelting Plant area.