A study of soil contamination from an old mine site with reference to pollution pathways

Metal concentrations in soil were studied in the vicinity of Silvermines mine site following a preliminary site investigation protocol developed to assess environmental risk of Irish abandoned mine sites (AMS). Sampling programmes and soil analyses for Cd, Pb and Zn were based on the identification of pathways of metal delivery to the soil. It was found that metal concentration in soil is high within a 400m zone. Outside the AMS, the areas of significant risk of soil contamination are confined to floodplains of the R. Kilmastulla, where exchangeable metal concentrations in soil are particularly high. Excessive concentrations of exchangeable metal compounds were also found in areas of groundwater seepage. The Silvermines village, some farms and grazing lands are located within the high-risk zone.