A SURVEY OF SOIL AND VEGETATION IN THE AREA SURROUNDING THE AVOCA MINES, Co. WICKLOW

Abstract

Metal Content was determined in soil and vegetation around the eastern zone of the disused copper and sulphide mines at Avoca in Co. Wicklow (south-east Ireland). A 250 x 250 m grid survey was conducted covering a total area of 4 km2. The mining belt was in the centre of the study area and was sampled separately. Iron, Zn, Cu and Cd concentrations in soil and plant material were determined in addition to soil organic matter content and soil pH. Soil samples taken from the spoil showed elevated Cu and Cd concentrations, low soil pH and organic matter contents. At least 50% of the agricultural sites examined surrounding the East Avoca Mine showed elevated Cu and Cd concentrations, whereas Zn and Fe were within the range for unpolluted soils. However, none of the vegetation analysed had elevated Zn, Cd, Fe or Cu concentrations. Overall there is no indication of serious metal contamination either in soils or vegetation surrounding the mine in spite of extensive dust deposition during open cast mining activity in the 1960’s to 1980’s. There is however a plume of elevated Cu in soil originating from the large spoil heap (named Mount Platt by the study) for some 2.0 km, spread by the prevailing wind. The original data is presented in appendices.