DISTRIBUTION OF CADMIUM, COPPER AND ZINC EMITTED FROM A SWEDISH COPPERWORKS, 1750-1900

The present distribution of Cd, Cu and Zn in the soils around and sedi ments downstream from the Atvidaberg copperworks which closed in 1900, was investigated to estimate the duration of the environmental stress caused in the surrounding area. Sampling of soils together with liter ature data on sediments provided the necessary information along with a study of the historical context of the copperworks. Leaching rates f rom the A- to the B-horizon of the soil were estimated to 0.8% yr(-1) for Cd and 0.4% yr(-1) for both Cu and Zn. From the sediment and water data it can be concluded that the soils surrounding the copperworks, a century after the works closed down, still continue to load Lake Hac klasjon with Cd, Cu and Zn. For Cd, it is likely that the approximatel y 100 years of leaching has substantially reduced the soil reservoir, while for Cu and possibly Zn we are still at the beginning of the load ing pulse from the soils of the area to the lake.