Spatial distribution of metallic trace elements in soils contaminated by atmospheric fallouts. Case study: Sclaigneaux (Belgium)

The valleys of Sambre and Meuse in Wallonia hosted numerous metal ore treatment factories. They engendered a contamination of soils by metallic trace elements that may migrate in the landscape through erosion, lixiviation, biological transportation, aso. We investigated the spatial distribution of some metallic trace elements in soils around a former zinc-ore treatment plant to a distance of 3km. The sampling strategy aimed at (i) verifying that the main source of trace elements was the plant chimney, (ii) assessing the impact of the wind directions on fallout dispersion and (iii) evaluating w... Mehr ...