Primary research of mine waters from the Chrustenice iron-ore deposit

Abstract

This paper describes the primary research of mine waters in the Chrustenice Iron-ore Deposit. A particular attention is paid here to the research of microorganisms living in that environment. The goal of the research is to analyse mine waters in the area which was abandoned by people more than 45 years ago and to investigate microorganisms and representatives of species present there in the mine waters. The Chrustenice Mine ranked among the biggest and most important iron ore mines in Barrandien. This mine along with the mines in Nučice, Zdice, Nový Jáchymov and Mníšek pod Brdy contributed to the fame of the regional mining industry. Sedimentary oolitic iron ore in Chrustenice consists mostly of red iron ore based on Černín layers, siderite and, to a lesser extent, of haematite and chamosite. In exceptional cases, magnetite is present there. The Černín shale is black clay shale with sandy ingredients and many potash-mica scales. Now, the mine is flooded up to the 8th level. In the remaining area, there is a mining history museum with dozens of exhibits. In samples of the mining water taken on the site, mostly iron, manganese and sulphur microorganisms were identified. The primary study of the mine waters in the iron-ore deposit shows that, from the microbiological point of view, this site is very interesting and many chemolithotrophic species of bacteria are present there.