Agricultural soils from Dongchuan copper mining area were sampled and analyzed to determine the concentrations of selected trace elements, namely As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn. The main objectives of this study were: (1) To determine the levels of trace elements and their spatial distribution in soils; (2) to evaluate the potential ecological risk; and (3) to identify the main sources of risk element pollution. The environmental risks were assessed using five different contamination and pollution indexes. Descriptive and exploratory statistical analyses were performed to identify the relations among the trace elements in soils and possible sources of pollution. Although the values of As, Cu and Zn in the soils were significantly higher than Yunnan background values and exceeded the limits of the Chinese national standards in several sampling points, the most serious threat for the ecosystem and human health was represented by Cd. The main sources of Cu and As were identified mining activities, airborne particulates from smelters and the weathering of tailings, and partly also agricultural fertilizers. The major source of Cd was agricultural fertilizers and partly sources associated with mining and smelting activities.

Among the important factors characterizing the quality of sealing mixtures is strength, durability, compatibility and permeability. Experimental work was therefore conducted to assess the use of cement, fly ash, gravel and bentonite in the form of artificial self-hardening sealing mixture. The results of the work show a good compatibility between the bentonite and cement during its fly ash replacement. Compactness of the structure was confirmed by studying of permeability and SEM microscopy, which in the system of ash-cement-bentonite matrix allowed assessing successive microstructure development of hydrating gel.

Heavy metal contamination due to mining activity is a global major concern because of its potential health risks to local inhabitants. The heavy metal contamination of surface water and ground water by mining activities in Gejiu tin-polymetallic mining area, South - west China, was studied. Surface water and ground water were sampled and analyzed using AAS for Cr 6+ , Cd, As, Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, Se, Fe and Mn. Analysis of HCO 3 – , Cl – , SO 4 2 – , F – and NO 3 – in water samples was also undertaken by ion chromatography. It was shown that none of water samples exceeded the guideline of Cr 6+ , Se and Hg, while the contamination degree of heavy metals was Mn > Fe > Cd > Zn > Pb > As > Cu, all of which were serious contamination except mild contamination for Cu. The ground waters were polluted much worse than surface water.

SummaryThis work deals with separation of vegetation from 3D data acquired by Terrestrial Laser Scanning for detecting more complex geological structures. Separation of vegetation is not an easy task. In many cases, the outcrop is not clear and the vegetation outgrows the outcrop. Therefore the separation of vegetation from 3D data is a task which requires adjustment of algorithms from image processing and remote sensing. By using cluster analysis and analysis of spectral behaviour we can detect vegetation from the rest of the scene and erase these points from the scene for detection of geological structures

The Lufeng Dinosaur National Geopark in Yunnan province, China, is important part of geoheritage with a great scientific and aesthetic value. The area has been under scientific research since 1938 when the first dinosaur fossils were discovered here by geologist Bian Meinian and technician Wang Cunyi. Professor Yang announced the discovery of new early Jurassic herbivore prosauropod by Lufeng in 1941, which he gave the name Lufengosaurus huenei. In 2004, the area was listed as the China`s National Geopark. It was opened for visitors in 2008. Besides the high scientific value, the geopark is also an important resource for science based and educational tourism. This paper briefly introduces the history of scientific research, the basic geology of the site and the most important fossils discovered here. The main characteristics, geodiversity, and geotourism of fossil geoheritage in the area are discussed here