Influence of ironworks on distribution of chemical elements in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia

The objective of this work is the study of the distribution of chemical elements in attic dust and topsoil for the identification of anthropogenic and geogenic element sources in an old metallurgic area in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia (Slo – BiH bilateral project “Heavy metals in environment as consequences of mining and smelting in the past”). Samples of attic dust and topsoil were collected in localities in BiH (Zenica, Vare and Ilija ) and Slovenia (Jesenice, tore and Ravne).Analysis for 42 chemical elements was performed. Based on a comparison of statistical parameters, spatial distribution of particular elements and results of cluster analysis one natural and two anthropogenic geochemical associations were identified. The natural geochemical association (Al-K-La-Sc-Th-Ti) is influenced mainly by lithology. The anthropogenic association (Co-Cr-Mo-Ni-V-W) is the result of iron metallurgy in the past. The second anthropogenic association (Ag-As-Cd-Fe-Hg-Mn-Pb-Sb-Sn-Zn) is the result of high level of sulphide phase in iron ore (Vare ) and zinc and sulphuric acid production in the Celje area.