Calcium and magnesium in leachate waters of post-industrialized waste tips

Abstract

The waste-tips of industrial wastes are essential source of water pollution both of surface and underground waters. Hydrosphere pollution is basically aftermath of forming of leachate waters with high concentration of toxic substances. Apart from typical toxic elements as cadmium, lead leachate may contain high concentration of other elements, Characteristics of leachate waters of landfills of coal mines were introduced in this paper. For purpose of studies three objects were selected. Obtained results revealed that leachate waters are characterized by high conductivity (maximal values ca 17 mS . cm–1). They also have high concentrations of magnesium and calcium. In leachate waters calcium showed very high variance. The concentration of this ion varied from 240 to 872 mg/dm3. High variation was also recorded in case of magnesium. The contents of this ion ranged from 109 to 702 mg/dm3. Both these chemical elements can be considered as indicators of anthropogenic pollution of waters.