62
R. Ferrara
An extended text on the results of 5 years' ecological research in the natural
environment on the topic concerning wildlife ecotoxicology and the influences of
mercury species on biota and terrestrial environment has been prepared by
Gnamus (1998). The same author and coworkers (1995) report data on mercury
levels in different organs of wild deer sampled in the surrounding areas of the
mine. Generally, the measured concentrations are 100 times higher than that of
the controls.
4
The Mt. Amiata Mine
4.1
Location
The mineralized volcanic area of Monte Amiata is located in the Tuscan region
(central Italy), about 120 km northwest of Rome (Fig. 6). This region, covering
approximately 400 km\ is drained by several rivers such as the Albegna, the
Fiora and the Paglia. The maximum elevation of the mountain is 1738 m. At
Bagno Vignoni, Bagni S. Filippo and Saturnia, there are sulphurous thermal
springs at a temperature of 50 to 60°C.
The cinnabar deposits were first worked by the Etruscans and Romans, who
used the ore as a red pigment for paint and cosmetics. To protect local workers
and the environment, the mines were closed by the Romans, and the mercury
was brought from Almaden (Spain). Mt. Amiata mines were rediscovered in 1868.
Intense mining activity went on for about a century and reached a maximum
production of 3 x 10 6 flasks of mercury in 1969. The ore, almost exclusively
cinnabar, had a mercury content of 0.6 to 2%. In 1948, 42 mines and 4 distillation
plants of mercury were active. Since 1970 there has been a drastic reduction in
activity and many mines have been closed. An exception is the mine of Abbadia
S. Salvatore, where production continued until 1980.
Even though 15 years have passed since mining activity completely ceased, the
extensive banks of roasted cinnabar, which are residues of the working still rich
in mercury, and the presence on the territory of the abandoned mining structures
without any land reclamation action, represent even today a problem for
environmental pollution.
The Amiata district is characterized also by the presence of geothermal
activity. These steam-dominated or "high enthalpy" geothermal systems are well
suited for electric power production because they supply superheated steam
(over 200°C) that can be admitted directly into a turbine. At present five,
geothermal power plants (20 MW each) are in operation in the surroundings of
Piancastagnaio. These hydrothermal systems, located in the highly mineralized
area, make the power plants an important source of atmospheric mercury.
R. Ferrara
An extended text on the results of 5 years' ecological research in the natural
environment on the topic concerning wildlife ecotoxicology and the influences of
mercury species on biota and terrestrial environment has been prepared by
Gnamus (1998). The same author and coworkers (1995) report data on mercury
levels in different organs of wild deer sampled in the surrounding areas of the
mine. Generally, the measured concentrations are 100 times higher than that of
the controls.
4
The Mt. Amiata Mine
4.1
Location
The mineralized volcanic area of Monte Amiata is located in the Tuscan region
(central Italy), about 120 km northwest of Rome (Fig. 6). This region, covering
approximately 400 km\ is drained by several rivers such as the Albegna, the
Fiora and the Paglia. The maximum elevation of the mountain is 1738 m. At
Bagno Vignoni, Bagni S. Filippo and Saturnia, there are sulphurous thermal
springs at a temperature of 50 to 60°C.
The cinnabar deposits were first worked by the Etruscans and Romans, who
used the ore as a red pigment for paint and cosmetics. To protect local workers
and the environment, the mines were closed by the Romans, and the mercury
was brought from Almaden (Spain). Mt. Amiata mines were rediscovered in 1868.
Intense mining activity went on for about a century and reached a maximum
production of 3 x 10 6 flasks of mercury in 1969. The ore, almost exclusively
cinnabar, had a mercury content of 0.6 to 2%. In 1948, 42 mines and 4 distillation
plants of mercury were active. Since 1970 there has been a drastic reduction in
activity and many mines have been closed. An exception is the mine of Abbadia
S. Salvatore, where production continued until 1980.
Even though 15 years have passed since mining activity completely ceased, the
extensive banks of roasted cinnabar, which are residues of the working still rich
in mercury, and the presence on the territory of the abandoned mining structures
without any land reclamation action, represent even today a problem for
environmental pollution.
The Amiata district is characterized also by the presence of geothermal
activity. These steam-dominated or "high enthalpy" geothermal systems are well
suited for electric power production because they supply superheated steam
(over 200°C) that can be admitted directly into a turbine. At present five,
geothermal power plants (20 MW each) are in operation in the surroundings of
Piancastagnaio. These hydrothermal systems, located in the highly mineralized
area, make the power plants an important source of atmospheric mercury.