Distribution of heavy metals in attic and deposited dust in the vicinity of copper ore processing and ferronickel smelter plants in the Republic of Macedonia

A comprehensive monitoring was applied to assess the environmental pollution in the Republic of Macedonia. Large amounts of fine dust are generated during blasts and excavations of mining minerals and from highly technological industrial processes, whereas they are distributed in the air by the winds. For that issue characterization of heavy metals content in attic dust and total deposited matter was performed. The significant emission sources that contribute to atmospheric pollution with heavy metals on the tenitory of the Republic of Macedonia appear to be all mines and smelter plants. In one of the region three collection stations were placed for monthly monitoring of heavy metals content in total deposited dust is near a copper mine in the Radovis region and the second location is in the vicinity of the smelter plant known for its ferronickel industrial activity in the Kavadarci region. In both locations two most affected villages and the nearest town was monitor within one year. Characterisation of contents showed higher content of heavy metals in deposited dust, which is due to distribution of fine particles from mine and smelter plant respectively, in air and their deposition in settlements in the close vicinity