Barium anomaly in Kupa River drainage basin

The objective of this work is to present an example of environmental impact of barite waste management observed in stream sediments of the western part of the Kupa River drainage basin. It is a significant water resource for Croatia and a part of Slovenia. In addition, it is for both countries a region of tourism, sport and fishing. Sediments (fraction < 63 μm) collected within the whole drainage basin have shown a significant barium anomaly in the western part. The highest concentration of total barium (5790 mg/kg) was determined in Kupica, a tributary of Kupa River. The barium anomaly was traced in Kupa River about 120 km downstream. Looking for the contamination source it was found that the anomaly originates from uncareful waste disposal into an abyss, after barite separation in Homer (Lokve), Gorski Kotar, Croatia. From there barite entered Kupica River subterraneous. Barite and albite were identified by XRD near the source of Kupica River as minor minerals, while quartz and dolomite ferroan were major minerals. This preliminary report does not give yet an answer about barium solubility in river water, about its bioavailability and consequently about barium pollution in the western part of the Kupa River drainage basin, however the possibility is highlighted and discussed.