A high concentration of heavy metals in the environment and in the human body was discovered in Meghradzor settlement. The research was carried out within the framework "Participation of Civil Society in Protection of Chemical Safety in Armenia" project with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic in cooperation with Czech "Arnika" NGO and Armenian "Center for Community Mobilization and Support" and "EcoLur" Informational NGOs.
"Meghradzor Gold" LLC operates Meghradzor gold mine, the gold enrichment factory with its tailing dump in the area of Meghradzor settlement of Tsaghkadzor community, Kotayk Region.
In 2022, test samples were taken from Meghradzor mine dump fills, adjacent lands, river sediments, gardens of Meghradzor residents, as well as biological samples from local residents in Meghradzor settlement. The samples were tested in Czech state-certified laboratories.
Valeriya Grechko, Project Coordinator from "Arnika" organization, presented the results of the research. She noted that the concentration of 10 metals was investigated and presented the data on the concentration of elements with the greatest impact.
Arsenic (As)
High levels of arsenic were found in the soil samples. In the sample with the highest concentration of arsenic, the concentration was 20 mg of arsenic per 1 kg of dry weight. Arsenic was also found in samples taken from private gardens. The concentration of arsenic in all soil samples exceeds the standards set for Armenian soils. The concentration of arsenic in the samples taken from the waste accumulated near the settlements in Meghradzor reaches 36.1 mg and 39.7 mg per 1 kg of dry weight.
The concentration of arsenic in bottom sediment samples taken from the water stream flowing out of the gold mine makes up 29.6 mg of arsenic per 1 kg of dry weight.
Lead (Pb)
The lead concentration in the soil samples exceeds the world average and the standards laid down for Armenian soil. The highest concentration of 42 mg of lead per 1 kg of dry weight was found in a soil test sample taken from a private garden.
Chromium (Cr)
The concentration of chromium in the soil samples does not meet the Armenian soil standards for chromium.
Copper (Cu)
A high concentration of copper was found in samples taken from the accumulated waste, as well as from the bottom sediments of the water stream flowing out of the gold mine. The highest concentration of copper reaches 191 mg of copper per 1 kg of dry weight. This indicates that the gold mine is a source of copper contamination.
High concentrations of mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) were also found in the bottom sediments of the water stream flowing out of the gold mine.
Biological Samples
Arsenic (As)
High concentrations of arsenic were found in biological samples taken from local residents.
The highest level of arsenic in urine in an adult woman reaches 75 mcg of arsenic per 1 g of creatinine. In a 5-year-old boy, the concentration of arsenic reaches 37 μg per 1 g of creatinine.
Lead (Pb)
Lead was detected in almost all samples, with slightly higher lead levels in the female group than in the male group, averaging between 2 and 1.89 µg of lead per gram of creatinine.
Cadmium (Cd)
Cadmium was detected in the majority of biological samples taken from both women and men.
Mercury (Hg)
A high concentration of mercury was found in one of the samples: 0.293 mg of mercury per 1 kg of weight.
Copper (Cu)
Copper was found in moderate to high concentrations in biological samples.
Nickel (Ni)
Nickel was found in almost all urine samples.
“The results of biomonitoring showed a high concentration of heavy metals in the human body, particularly in the samples taken from a small child and an adult woman. The research of biological remains also revealed contamination with mercury, lead, and cadmium," Valeriya Grechko presented.
December 13, 2023 at 17:14