ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONTENTS IN BIO-ORE DERIVED FROM AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPES OF EASTERN KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

This study investigated the contents of heavy non-ferrous metals in soil and plant biomass (bio-ore) using an experimental agricultural site located 10 km northeast of a non-ferrous metallurgical enterprise producing heavy metals, including Pb, Zn, Cu, and others. The total contents of the studied heavy metals in the ash product were determined, and their potential quantities in the ash residue generated from 1 ha of agricultural land after thermal treatment were estimated. The obtained results indicate the feasibility and potential of developing an alternative metallurgical technology for the recovery of non-ferrous metals from bio-ore.