Pollution of Coastal Region Impacted by Acid Mine Drainage in Morphou Bay, Northern Cyprus

Abstract

Abandoned copper mines, located in Lefka–Xeros area by the Morphou bay were primarily producing copper. Secondary products, such as silver and gold were also produced for a century by cyanide leaching method. The residues of mining processes were deposited in large tailing ponds that were constructed with primitive technology. In this research, water samples from several different points of tailing ponds, Lefka river and coast of Morphou bay are collected. The laboratory analysis of the samples is then carried out, considering basic pollutant parameters such as copper. The cross-shore and Longshore numerical modelling technique is applied associating the wave climate and the morphologic characteristics of the Morphou bay with the laboratory results to measure long-term effects of the pollution, diffused into the Mediterranean sea.

Keywords:

• Acid mine drainage
• Cross-shore sediment transport
• Diffusion
• Longshore sediment transport
• Mines
• Toxic wastes
• Waves