Thallium in Technosols from Allchar (North Macedonia)

Author(s): Aleš Vaněk, Tamara Đorđević, Martin Mihaljevič, Maria Vaňková, Karolína Fizková, Tereza Zádorová, Petra Vokurková, Ivana Galušková, Vít Penížek, Ondřej Drábek, Goran Tasev, Todor Serafimovski, Ivan Boev, Blažo Boev
Abstract: Allchar (North Macedonia) mining area is known for anomalous background Tl concentrations. In this study, we combine accurate detection of Tl stable isotope ratios with data on mineralogy/speciation and chemical extraction of Tl in Tl-contaminated Technosol profiles. We demonstrate that Tl in the studied soils varies significantly in both concentration (500 mg/kg-18 g/kg) and isotopic composition (−1.6 and +3.2 of ε²⁰⁵Tl, a ∼0.5‰ spread), which is due to changes in the phase chemistry and/or mineralogy of Tl. Moreover, the observed ²⁰⁵Tl/²⁰³Tl ratios do not reflect the extent to which individual soils undergo Tl isotopic fractionation during mineral weathering and soil formation. Clearly, they reflect the initial isotopic signal(s) of the primary ore or ore minerals, and thus, the general history or type of their genesis. As the Tl carriers, various types of Tl–Me-arsenates, mixtures of jarosite and dorallcharite and minor Mn-oxides predominated. We revealed intense adsorption of Tl by the identified Mn-oxides (≤6.7 at.%). It is hypothesized that these phases are of key importance in the fractionation of Tl isotopes, meaning at this type of secondary oxide-soil solution interface. However, model studies involving primary/secondary components (sulfides, sulfates, oxides and arsenates) are required to understand the mechanisms that may lead to post-depositional Tl isotopic redistribution in soils, as well as Tl isotope systematics in mining wastes in general.
Organisation(s): Department of Mineralogy and Crystallography
External organisation(s): Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Technische Universität Wien, Charles University Prague, Goce Delčev University of Štip
Journal: Environmental Pollution
Volume: 357
ISSN: 0269-7491
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124413
Publication date: 09-2024
Peer reviewed: Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012: 105113 Crystallography, 105116 Mineralogy, 105906 Environmental geosciences
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Toxicology, Pollution, Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Portal url: https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/015f1253-93f8-4572-85a7-b99b0e393db7

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