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The abandoned Malachov deposit belongs among the most important historic Hg deposits in the world. The soil, groundwater, surface water, plants, and animals are still heavily contaminated by potentially toxic elements such as As and Cd, but mainly by Hg. This article is focused on the Hg contamination of aquatic plants and animals in the Malachov creek. Mercury concentrations were measured in fresh water (on average 3 µg L−1), in the zoobenthos (on average 362.47 µg kg−1), and in the phytobenthos (on average 578.36 µg kg−1). Higher Hg concentrations were determined in the muscles of Salmo trutta morpha fario (on average 362.47 µg kg−1) and lower in Cottus poecilopus (on average 352.75 µg kg−1). The Hg concentrations were higher in the internal tissues (578.36–1185.75 µg kg−1) than in the muscles of the fish. The Hg content in fresh water exceeded Regulation of the Slovak Government No. 269/2010, which stipulates the criteria for achieving a proper water balance, but the Hg content in the fish muscles of both fish species was below the specified limit of the Food Code of Governmental Regulation of the Slovak Republic No. 608/3/2004–100. The Hg contamination in fishes is controlled by their weight and age. The presented data may be used as the base information for future studies in order to be able to estimate consumption recommendations and warnings.

This article reports the results of a study concerning contamination of the dump-fields by potentially toxic elements at five abandoned copper mines: Ľubietová, Špania Dolina (Slovakia), Libiola, Caporciano (Italy) and São Domingos (Portugal). This paper offers an updated description of soil contamination at the individual deposits and indicates a possible solution of the derived environmental problems. Contamination of technosoils by PTEs at the dump-fields shows an irregular spatial distribution of Fe, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sb and Pb. Contents of PTEs often exceed both national and EU law limits. Whereas at Ľubietová, Špania Dolina and Caporciano the environmental risk is limited, at Libiola and São Domingos it seems to be very heavy. The technosoil (slag) of the dump-fields is not well aerated and the soil colloids have (except for Špania Dolina) negative surface charge, so they are suitable for PTEs sorption. The main environmental risk in the mining area of Sao Domingos district is the long time formation of acid mine drainage water and the high Zn, As and Pb contents. The release of PTEs to the environmental components may be limited by phytostabilization and immobilization of metals, by suitable admixtures into the technosoil/slag. The environmental situation at Caporciano is not so compromised as at São Domingos mining area. Phytostabilization will be able to stop erosion, and installation of wetlands under the dump will stop the release of Cu to the environment. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion