Risks Associated to Soil Pollution in the Proximity of Tailing Facilities in the Western Area of Baia Mare

Baia Mare town is situated in Northern side of Romania and it is well known for the old mining activitiesdeployed in the area. The hazardous waste landfills positioning directly on the soil without other protection it is knownas being a source of pollution for the underground, and the wastes resulted from ore processing are included in thehazardous waste category, due to their hazardous substances content and their large quantities. This study presents thesoil pollution in the near vicinity of the tailing dams: Aurul, Bozanta Nou and Bozanta Vechi. Soil samples located inthe proximity of the tailing dams as well as samples from inside the tailing dams were analysed in order to determinethe acid water drainage. For the soil samples were determined the concentrations for As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn, Zn, totalcyanide and the pH values. The results were compared with the maximum admissible threshold values in the Romanianenvironmental protection regulations, for less sensitive soils. Exceeding concentrations for the analyzed elements weredetermined, especially in the proximity of the Aurul tailing dam pump station used to recycle the water inside the dam.It can be possible that these high concentrations for the analyzed elements are due to some local leakage. The cyanideconcentration did not exceed the thresholds values in any of the analyzed sample. The following metals and metalloidshad concentration values above the maximum threshold value: Pb, As, Cd, Cu, and Zn. For the pH indicator theminimum value was also determined in the area of the water recycling pumps inside the Aurul dam. (3.99). The risksassociated to soil pollution in the near vicinity of the analyzed tailing dams consist of soil alteration including thefarming land, the possibility of pollutant migration in the groundwater, with a direct impact on it and on the humanhealth of the inhabitants in the villages nearby who use the groundwater for several housing chores, including asdrinking water.