METALLOGENIC BIOGEOCHEMICAL PROVINCES

Abstract

Ore deposits form natural biogeochemical provinces, which geographical placing is shown in Chapter 2. During exploration for ore, large quantities of metals are released into the environment. The technogenic transformation of areas neighboring the metal ores is influenced not only by technologies of exploration, transportation, and treatment, but also by geological, geochemical, biogeochemical and landscape factors. Ranking these factors, we should mention first of all the chemical and mineralogical composition of ores and their areas. The metal enrichment of local ore areas relating to the geochemical background is also of importance. Other factors like hydrogeological conditions, natural aquatic and aerial migration, anthropogenic transport of ore materials and their treatment products also determine the pollutant concentration in metalogenic biogeochemical provinces.