250
R. Ferrara et al.
The situation at Mt. Amiata is different. Here, roasted cinnabar banks and
abandoned mining and smelting complexes are still present. The largest plant in
this district is located near the village of Abbadia San Salvatore. The works were
shut down permanently in September 1982. Since these structures are located on
the outskirts of the village, some of the outlying buildings were recently
reconverted for commercial use.
In this first survey we studied air mercury levels inside the restored buildings,
outside the buildings, and in the nearby abandoned smelting plant.
2
Study Area
The study area covers 150 000 m
2
and includes the zone of mining installations
at Abbadia S. Salvatore and restored buildings (Fig. 1). Still present today are an
cb
... ,
..• ;,.
!
, 0
DISTILLATION £
PLANT
00 ~
o
100m
. . . . __ .......
""RESTORED
MINE
~ __ BUILDING
I
~
FURNACES
~
_~
# ~
. . ---~~9~ ./'" .,. ~
,.. ,.. - - - -
.... -. ......... --_ ... /",,---/
/
/
Fig. 1. Map of the Abbadia San Salvatore abandoned mine structures and restored mine buildings