Lead distribution in soil due to lithogenic and anthropogenic factors in the Belligerent's River basin

The distribution of lead, which in higher content represents hazard to the environment, causes certain unwanted consequences on human health. Therefore, the environmental monitoring not only for the lithogenic but also for the anthropogenic distribution leads to determination of the main hot spots in the environment. Bregalnitsa River basin in the Republic of Macedonia was selected as a study area with the presence of three potential emission sources: lead and zinc mines ('Zletovo' and 'Sasa' mines) and copper mine (Buchim mine). The lead contents in alluvial and automorphic soil range from 4.4 to 46000 mg kg^-1 . The most enriched sub area with lead in the Bregalnitsa river basin is the Zletovo - Kamenitsa region. The average Pb content in these sub areas is 3100 mg kg^-1 . Despite the anthropogenic activities in the above mentioned mines, enriched Pb deposition in soil is mainly correlated with the dominant geological formations, such as Neogene pyroclastites and vulcanites and Proterozoic gneisse and shales. (author)