Distribution of arsenic in the soil of gold mineralizations in Central Bohemian metallogenetic zone

Univerzita Karlova v Praze Přírodovědecká fakulta Ústav geochemie, mineralogie a nerostných zdrojů Obsahy arzenu v půdách zlatonosných ložisek středočeské metalogenetické zóny Bakalářská práce Jan Řeháček Vedoucí bakalářské práce: doc. Mgr. Petr Drahota, Ph.D. Praha, 2016 Summary This bachelor thesis reviews scientific publications regarding high concentrations of arsenic in soils of natural geochemical anomalies and former gold mines in the Central Bohemian Metallogenic Zone. High concentrations of arsenic in these areas originates primarily from sulfide minerals which are associated with gold mineralization. Arsenopyrite and pyrite are the most important primary As carriers in the bedrock. Due to natural weathering of sulfide minerals hosting rocks, release of arsenic and other potentially toxic elements into the surrounding environment takes place. This presents danger not only to soil fauna and flora but also to local inhabitants as contamination may also affect water sources in the area. At the beginning of this thesis some general aspects of the presence of arsenic in the environment are described, followed by chapters about the Central Bohemian Metallogenic Zone and its sites with anomalous concentration of arsenic in soil