Concentration of zinc and lead in the soil around a non-ferrous metal smelter KGH Boleslaw in Bukowno near Olkusz

The objective of the study was to evaluate zinc and lead contamination in the upper, organic layer of the soil around zinc and lead smelting plant KGH "Bolesław" in Bukowno near Olkusz. The study material were samples of the upper layer (0-5 cm) of the soil collected at the distance of 10, 25, 50, 100 150, 200, 250 m, and further from each of the 250 m up to 3 000 m sections in 8 directions: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, and NW. The most contaminated soil samples were found at the distance of up to about 1 000 m from the subject plant. The most polluted is the NE and SW area. Pollution of the NE area is related to wind direction. The SW area could be a zinc and lead ore outcrop, or else, it was contaminated when used as a dumping ground for the waste from the plant in the past. Heavy pollution of this area with zinc and lead could cause serious damage to living organisms in the area close to the plant.