Group 9, Final Report

MINING POLLUTION IN MITROVICA

INTRODUCTION

This paper is a review of the bibliography from our Wiki page on the environmental issues of Kosova. We have organized the paper Mitrovica is a north-eastern city of Kosova known for, among others, being the city where the mining complex Trepca, one of the biggest mining complexes in Europe, is located. The mining complex is divided into Trepca South and Trepca North and consists of 14 operations split into eight mines, three concentrators, two smelting plants, and a fertilizer plant. Trepca’s main industrial plant is the Lead-Zinc smelter, located in Zvecan, 1.5 km from Mitrovica. The heavy metals that were mined in Trepca were lead, zinc, and silver; although the mine is known to also have reserves of other precious minerals and metals such as gold. Trepca is known to have among the biggest reserves in Europe in metals such as Lead, Zinc, Bauxit, Nickel etc. Except for lignite which is found in the region of Obilic in Kosovo, the other metals listed below are all found in their respective quantities in the Trepca mine.

Note. From “Environmental Management in Kosovo - Heavy Metal emission from Trepca” by D.S. Fresse, R.Klitgaard, & E. K.Pedersen, 2004, TekSam.

The history of mining activity dates back thousands of years, when Romans and later the Kingdom of Serbia used to make their coins from the metals dug from Trepca. The Trepca mine has been “engaged with large-scale exploitation since 1925, when a British Mining Company bought the rights to exploit the heavy metal reserves in the area”.(Fresse, Klitgaard, and Pedersen, 2004) During “World War II, the Stari Trg mine produced 40% of the Pb used by German industry. In the period 1930-1950, 825 000 t Pb, 566 000 t Zn, 1022 t Ag and a similar quantity of Bi were produced. At that time, about 20 000 miners were working there.” (Borgna et al., 2009) However, Trepca has not been in operation since 2000 and it is judged to have “deteriorated to a state beyond repair.” (Fresse, Klitgaard, and Pedersen, 2004). From the near century long operation of mining and smelting in the region and also from the exposure of the stored ore to wind and rain, the surrounding area has become to be one of the most heavy metal contaminated sites in Europe.

SOIL POLLUTION WITH HEAVY METALS

The processing of ore in the smelter of Zvecan released large quantities of particulate matter and gaseous emissions and produced large bulks of metallurgical and mining waste that accumulated in large landfills. “At the end of the 1990s, the overall emission of dust from the Zvecan smelter was estimated at 730 t/year, and over time about 40,000,000 tons of tailings accumulated in the Zvecan area”.(Stafilov,  Aliu, & Sajn, 2010). Researchers from the University of Siena conducted a study of the level of heavy metals in the soil surrounding Trepca and their findings are summarized in the table below.

Note. From: “The high contents of lead in soils of northern Kosovo” by L. Borgna, L. A. Di Lella, F. Nannonni, A. Pisani, E. Pizzatti, G. Protano, F. Riccobono, & S. Rossi, 2009, Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 101(2), 137-146.

From the table we can see that in general, the lead (Pb) concentrations in the Mitrovica topsoils considerably exceed the worldwide average for soil, which is 17 mg/kg, and also the upper limit for unpolluted soils, namely 50 mg/kg. Additionally, Mitrovica’s topsoils have a mean Zinc (Zn) level of 560 mg/kg which is significantly above the global baseline in soil (70 mg/kg). The soil seems to be contaminated with antimony (Sb) as well, with its mean value being 19.3 mg/kg, which is a dramatically higher value than the normal which is 0.2 - 0.5mg/kg. Cadmium concentrations are worrying as well and they range from 0.37 up to 67.9 mg/kg, with a median value of 2.03 mg/kg (Table 1).  One of the most disturbing findings was also the level of Arsenic. The mean value of Arsenic (As) in the topsoil for the area was 87.1 mg/kg, which is more than 20 times higher than the European maximum allowed value. The tremendously high levels of Arsenic were confirmed by other studies as well. (Stafilov, Aliu, & Sajn, 2010). Below there’s a map that shows the spatial distribution of Arsenic as well as the concentration levels in specific areas.

Note. From: “Arsenic in Surface Soils Affected by Mining and Metallurgical Processing in K. Mitrovica Region, Kosovo” by T. Stafilov, M. Aliu, R. Sajn, 2004, Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 7, no. 11.

Additionally, the researchers from the University of Siena also found that “the highest concentrations of Pb, Cu, As and Sb were in topsoils close to the Zvecan Pb-Zn smelter” but with above standard contamination reaching up to 20 km.(Borgna et al., 2009) Moreover, other studies have confirmed that the pollution in this area is very mobile, which allows for easier spreading in the surrounding areas. (Nannoni, Protano, & Riccobono, 2011a; Nannoni, Protano, & Riccobono, 2011b) Fortunately, when measuring for the depth of the pollution they found that “the concentrations of heavy elements related to mining activities (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, Zn) significantly decreased with depth.”(Borgna et al., 2009)

WATER POLLUTION BY HEAVY METALS

Water is a crucial resource for people, it is one resource that man needs for its daily functioning. Water helps people stay alive, but nevertheless, it can also be as harmful and kill people whenever it is not treated properly, and if it is not controlled and managed over contamination and pollution it can become lethal. In such sense, Kosova struggles in managing its waters over contamination thus Kosova’s water quality is low. "In normal living conditions a man needs 1-2.5 l of drinking water per day, whereas the daily expenses in developed countries are much bigger (up to 1500 l per day). Regions (countries) with less than 1700 m3 water per capita per year are considered as countries in water deficit. The drinking water quantity in Kosova is approximately 1600 m3 per person per year, and consequently Kosova belong to the range of poor drinking water countries in Europe and wider,” (Behrami, Bajraktari, & Zogaj, 2008, p. 1).

“The surface water quality in Kosova is not satisfying, whereas in Mitrovica region the state is concerned. By rapid industrial development, concentration of population in urban areas, inadequate treatment of waste waters and their discharge in water flows (rivers), the quality of surface and ground waters in Mitrovica area is decreasing,” (Behrami, Bajraktari, & Zogaj, 2008, p. 1). Kosova’s waters are in an alarming state regarding quality, the water contamination is very high, especially in Mitrovica where heavy metal pollution on water is the biggest problem for this area. Thus, Mitrovica is in a state of an environmental degradation as its waters are highly polluted. Furthermore, Mitrovica’s richness on natural resources and the high concentration of different metals in waters makes it very polluted. Moreover, the industrial activities and its waste waters make the water pollution even more dramatic. “Mitrovica is based on north of Kosovo region. This part of Kosovo is known as the main part on natural resources (raw material industry), and also the most polluted city not just in Kosovo, but also in Europe,” (Behrami, Bajraktari, & Zogaj, 2008, p. 1).

Additional analysis of water quality has shown that there are different substances found in the waters, different chemical substances and heavy metal elements, “Rivers Iber and Sitnica during a year they do take approximately 83 million m3 contaminated water from the industry in Kastriot and Mitrovica. The majority of this contaminated water is thrown in Sitnica (91%), which it makes this river as a collector of industrial water. Just from the metal-rock from “Trepca”, in a period of just a year, there are thrown over 150 ton leaden, 500 ton zinc and 900 ton fluoride. Also from other factors that we have not mentioned above, contamination has been thrown in these rivers,” (Behrami, Bajraktari, & Zogaj, 2008, p. 4).


Note. From “Ground water pollution in Mitrovica and surroundings” by Behrami, S., Bajraktari, F., & Zogaj, N. Kosovo Environment Protection Agency, 2008.

Another study on different springs found around cities of Kosovo, in this case the spring “Kroi i Fshatit” in Mitrovica, has analyzed and brought up results about the numerical values of heavy metals found in this spring.  “The spring “Kroi i Fshatit" results in higher levels with heavy metals, Ni and Pb. The high levels of heavy metals are mainly as a result of geomorphologic structure of the zone, since the water resources are very near the Trepça Smelter,” (Krasniqi, Fejza, Avdullahi, Vasjari, Vaso, Krasniqi, & Behrami, 2010, p. 190).

Note. From “Level of heavy metals and the impact of anthropogenic pollution on some alternative springs in drenica and mitrovica zone – Kosovo” By Krasniqi, I., Fejza, I., Avdullahi, S., Vasjari, M., Vaso, K., Krasniqi, K., & Behrami, A.,2010, Journal of International Environmental Application and Science, 5(2), 186-194.

The concentration of heavy metals such as Manganese, Nickel, Lead, Cadmium, Chrome, Zinc, Iron etc. in waters is high in the Mitrovica region, whereas the concentration percentage of some of these metals exceeds the standards permitted by the WHO. “The spring "Kroi i Fshatit"- Zhazhe , located in Mitrovica, results evidently in higher levels with heavy metals such as Mn, Ni, and Pb, compared to permitted values of the WHO,” (Krasniqi, Fejza, Avdullahi, Vasjari, Vaso, Krasniqi, & Behrami, 2010, p. 194).

“The Figure 3 shows the level of heavy metals in percentage with the spring “Kroi I Fashatit”. As can be seen from this Graph of the spring, Mn exceeds the levels permitted by the WHO’s standards by 64 %, Ni by 26 % and Pb by 10%,” (Krasniqi, Fejza, Avdullahi, Vasjari, Vaso, Krasniqi, & Behrami, 2010, p. 191).

Note. From “Level of heavy metals and the impact of anthropogenic pollution on some alternative springs in drenica and mitrovica zone – Kosovo” By Krasniqi, I., Fejza, I., Avdullahi, S., Vasjari, M., Vaso, K., Krasniqi, K., & Behrami, A.,2010, Journal of International Environmental Application and Science, 5(2), 186-194.

A study on the two main Rivers in Mitrovica, the Iber river and Sitnica river, have been conducted over the analysis on river sediments to understand the rate of contamination by the heavy metals. “The sediment from of Ibër River was analyzed for four selected metals (Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu),” (Rexhepi, Rugova, & Arbneshi, 2010, p. 3)

Note. From: “Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Ibër River Sediment”, by Rexhepi, F., Rugova, A., Arbneshi, T., 2010.

Again, further studies have found worrying results, and the analysis shows that the concentration of heavy metals is highly present on water. “ The zinc, lead and cadmium leaching can also be confirmed by the high percentage of these elements in easily mobile exchangeable form. In the surrounding of the chemical industry very high content of zinc and lead were found in the sediment of Ibër River,” (Rexhepi, Rugova, & Arbneshi, 2010, p. 4)

Note. From: “Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Ibër River Sediment”, by Rexhepi, F., Rugova, A., Arbneshi, T., 2010.

AIR POLLUTION WITH HEAVY METALS

Another issue that is to be concerned about because of its negative effect in the environment is air pollution, also caused by mining. Having the largest mining complex in Kosova, “Mitrovica is surrounded with industrial waste. In the town itself is a dump Mitrovica Industrial Park (MIP) containing residues of neutral last processing stage of zinc, pyrite, and other ferric minerals.” (Shala, Sadiku, Rexha, Dragusha & Shala, 2011) In Mitrovica there are special areas where dump is thrown, “This landfill is located in area of 35 hectares, while the total mass of these residues is 1500 000 tones. These residues include: iron, lead, zinc, cadmium and other associated metals arsenic, antimony, indium and silver.” (Shala at al. 2011)But there are also other areas, since previous one, even though it looks huge, it does not fulfill requirements. “Other landfill that "contributes" to the pollution of environment in region Mitrovica is the Industrial Park in Zvecan (IPZ), which is spread in the area of 50 hectares. This dump contains about 12 million tons of waste from the flotation process and 2.5 million tons of waste from the metallurgical process of lead. Another landfill is Kelmendi that contains waste from flotation process; it is estimated about 9 million tons waste. This landfill as well as that of Zvecan contains iron, lead, zinc, cadmium and other associated elements in smaller quantities.” (Shala at al. 2011)In addition, the adequate equipment used to minimize the effect of pollution are not working properly because these equipment has been used many years.“The plant does not operate currently, the waste is piled up in the open air and due to a lack of street cleaning equipment dust with a high lead concentration keeps circulating [3]”. (Shala at al. 2011) Since then, the side effects are obvious especially in urban areas “during the summer and winter, present the case of smog, which leads to a greater deterioration of air quality.” (Shala at al. 2011)

“Dust emissions containing toxic elements are a further source for contaminant disposition in the region. Mitrovica city, and its south-east part in particular, has a high level of pollution with the dust particles, where the maximum value reaches 5560.8mg/m2/day, which exceeds WHO recommended values for 20 times.” (Shala at al. 2011) Here is the table representing standards and limits set by European Organization compared to the existing levels in Kosova.

Note: Form “Industrial landfill source of air pollution in mitrovica” by Shala, F., M. Sadiku, B. Rexha, B. Dragusha, and S. Shala, p. 40.

Citizens around this area are affected negatively by the heavy metal pollution. “Atmospheric transport leads to serious heavy metal pollution of a waste area. The citizens of Mitrovica and surroundings experience airborne lead concentrations at or near the EU limit value of 0,5 µg/m3, coming from the Trepca Industrial Complex.” (Shala at al. 2011)

Another study done by “Shllaku (1992) cited in Klitgaard et al. (2004) showed that blood lead concentrations in inhabitants of Mitrovica were several times higher than in the inhabitants of Pristina. In 12% of the children living in Mitrovica, the blood lead levels exceeded 70 µg/dL and in 35 % lead concentrations were 50-69 µg/dL. It was estimated that about 9 000 children in Mitrovice might have blood lead concentrations above 40 µg/dL. It was also found that lead blood levels in pregnant women were more than three times higher in Mitrovica than in Pristina. For comparison, severe lead poisoning, at levels exceeding 70 µg/dl of blood can lead to encephalopathy and death. A dose of 30 µg/dL is currently regarded as elevated and levels of 10 µg/dl and over potentially harmful, especially during development” (Shala at al. 2011)

“The collected samples were analyzed for heavy metals concerning the objectives of the project “Environmental Assessment and Remedial Action Plan for Mitrovica Industrial Park”. The elements of interest are as follows: (Shala, Dragusha & Sadiku, 2012)

• HM – heavy metals: Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn

• Other metals: Mn


Note. From “Air pollution in the area around the mining complex Trepça in Kosovo” by F. Shala, B. Dragusha, and M. Sadiku, p. 313

HEALTH EFFECTS OF HEAVY METAL POLLUTION

Heavy metal pollution bears a high risk to anyone who is exposed to it and it poses a great threat for the wellbeing of those who live in areas where the percentage of heavy metal contamination is above the allowed standards. In Mitrovica, the concentration of heavy metals is high especially lead, which is a very dangerous metal. “The long going activity of mining and smelting in the area has had a great impact on the health of the people living in a heavy metal contaminated area,” (Shala, Dragusha, & Sadiku, 2011, p. 1). Further studies imply the hazardous situation. “The air pollution in Mitrovica exceeds the limit of allowed values, comparing with the norms of the European Union, doubtless this zone is classified as injurious for health of the people,” (Shala, Sadiku, Rexha, Dragusha, & Shala, 2011, p. 5)

When considering the fact that there are many ways to which people are exposed to such threats, the drama on this issue knocks for immediate awareness. “Lead in the environment has multiple sources (e.g. petrol, industrial process, paint, solder in canned foods, water pipes) and reaches people via a numbers of pathways such as air, household dust, street dirt, soil, water food,” (Prathumratana, Kim & Woong Kim, 2008, p. 479).

Furthermore, the high percentage concentration of heavy metals has preoccupied many international and local organizations which initiated studies and researches about the effects of heavy metals on health, WHO conducted a research on this issue.  “According to this study, the overall population in Mitrovica has elevated levels of heavy metals, especially lead, but the samples from the three RAE IDP Camps had the most alarming lead levels in the blood,” (Meehan & Mailman, 2005).

No doubt that heavy metal pollution is a very dangerous and a life threatening contamination. Therefore, its effects are many on human health, thus causing sicknesses of different types, damaging different human organs, and it can also cause death. As an inhabitant in Mitrovica, it is a very risky place of being intoxicated, especially facing Lead contamination which is high in Mitrovica region. “Potential symptoms of exposure to lead, even at low levels, include loss of appetite, lethargy, high blood pressure, fertility problems for men and women, premature birth, stunted growth, hearing damage, neurological damage, seizures, pain and/or paralysis in the legs, dropping in and out of consciousness, anemia, increased aggression, stomach cramps, and vomiting. People suffering from lead poisoning can be asymptomatic. According to the WHO reports, the most significant and irreversible effect is on IQ levels,” (Meehan & Mailman, 2005).

“Soil in Mitrovica contains significantly high amount of lead exceeding the acceptable level. The obtained results indicated that people in IDP camps and the relocation area, Roma Mahala, are still living in the unsafe environment even the smelter has been closed down for more than seven years,” (Prathumratana, Kim & Woong Kim, 2008, p. 482). Different International organizations have conducted surveys and analysis on the heavy metals contamination and its risk on health. Similarly, the World Health Organization has set sights on analyzing the state of heavy metal contamination, specifically the area known as Roma Camps. “Indeed, more than 90% of the soil samples taken by WHO exceeded the United Kingdom limits for lead (450 mg/Kg), with many samples having levels 10 times higher than the limit; more than 40% exceeded the limit for arsenic levels; and almost 30% exceeded the limit for cadmium levels. Therefore, the soil contamination appeared to be an obvious source of contamination and concern in the Roma camps,” (OSCE, 2009, p. 5); therefore immediate intervention was noted, “The health hazard and the necessity for an urgent relocation of the Roma community were, therefore, clear,” (OSCE, 2009, p. 5). All studies infer for immediate action to avoid any ongoing harm “the heavy metal contamination of the area presents a significant health risk to the local population (a sizeable town of 300,000 inhabitants) and action must be taken to eliminate this risk,” (Fresse, Klitgaard, & Pedersen, 2003/2004, p. 4) Another report lists some potential sources of contamination and regards the difficult position of Roma people. “Home smelting lead batteries is a potential source of lead as it is an important source of income for many RAE families,” (Prathumratana, Kim & Woong Kim, 2008, p. 481).

REFERENCES

Behrami, S., Bajraktari, F., & Zogaj, N. Kosovo Environment Protection Agency, (2008). Ground water pollution in Mitrovica and surroundings. Retrieved from http://balwois.com/balwois/administration/full_paper/ffp-1084.pdf

Borgna, L., Di Lella, L. A., Nannonni, F., Pisani, A., Pizzatti, E., Protano, G., Riccobono, F., & Rossi, S. (2009). The high contents of lead in soils of northern kosovo. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 101(2), 137-146. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.rit.edu/science/article/pii/S0375674208000617

Dragusha, B., Sadiku, M., Shala, F., Rexha, B. Industrial landfill source of air pollution in Mitrovica.
ISBN: 978-1-61804-012-1. Retrieved from http://www.wseas.us/e-library/conferences/2011/Iasi/WEPRE/WEPRE-05.pdf

Fresse, D.S, Klitgaard, R., & Pedersen, E. K. (2003/2004). Environmental Management in Kosovo – Heavy Metal emission from Trepca. TekSam. Retrieved September 19, 2011, from http://rudar.ruc.dk/bitstream/1800/210/1/Environmental_management_in.pdf

Krasniqi, I., Fejza, I., Avdullahi, S., Vasjari, M., Vaso, K., Krasniqi, K., & Behrami, A. (2010). Level of heavy metals and the impact of anthropogenic pollution on some alternative springs in drenica and mitrovica zone - kosovo. Journal of International Environmental Application and Science, 5(2), 186-194. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.rit.edu/docview/741411675?accountid=108   

Meehan, Sh (June 2005), Mailman, N (June 2005). Kosovo: Lead pollution requires immediate evacuation of Roma camps Retrieved from:http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=1856[|||]

Nannoni , F., Protano, G., & Riccobono, F. (2011). Fractionation and geochemical mobility of heavy elements in soils of a mining area in northern Kosovo. Geoderma, 161(1-2), 63-73. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.rit.edu/10.1016/j.geoderma.2010.12.008  

Nannoni , F., Protano, G., & Riccobono, F. (2011). Uptake and bioaccumulation of heavy elements by two earthworm species from a smelter contaminated area in northern Kosovo. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 43(12), 2359--2367. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.rit.edu/10.1016/j.soilbio.2011.08.002

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe OSCE Mission in Kosovo. Lead contamination in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica affecting the Roma community. Retrieved from http://www.osce.org/kosovo/36234

Rexhepi, F., Rugova, A., Arbneshi, T. (2010). **Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Ibër River* *Sediment*. Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia: BALWOIS. Retrieved in September 16, 2011, from* http://balwois.com/balwois/administration/full_paper/ffp-1681.pdf _ _

Rusila, A. (2009, May1). UN death camps, EU money, local negligence.
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Shala, F., Dragusha, B., & Sadiku, M. (n.d.). Air pollution in the area around the mining complex Trepça in Kosovo. 310-314. Retrieved in September 16, 2011 from http://www.wseas.us/e-library/conferences/2010/Cambridge/EE/EE-50.pdf

Shala, F., Sadiku, M., Rexha, B., Dragusha, B., & Shala, S. (2011, July). Industrial landfill source of air pollution in mitrovica. Proceedings of the 5th wseas international conference on waste management, Romania. Retrieved fromhttp://www.wseas.us/e-library/conferences/2011/Iasi/WEPRE/WEPRE-05.pdf

Stafilov, T., Aliu, M., Sajn, R. (2010). Arsenic in Surface Soils Affected by Mining and Metallurgical Processing in K. Mitrovica Region, Kosovo. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 7, no. 11: 4050-4061.Retrieved from http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/7/11/4050