Detection of heavy metal accumulation on rock outcrop capping around the Rouyn-Noranda smelter, Quebec

The rock outcrops around smelters have various overlays that influence the accumulation of heavy metals. This study compares Cu, Zn, As and Pb concentrations according to these overlays and identifies associated abiotic factors around the Rouyn-Noranda smelter. XRF spectrometry was used on 70 plots within a 10 km radius. Overlays studied included bare rock, with or without black coating, rock covered with vegetation, degraded soils, anthropogenic features or eroded till. Abiotic factors considered were distance from the smelter, TWI, NDVI, slope and rock type. ANOVA showed significant variations in heavy metal concentrations across overlays. Regression models reveal that distance to the smelter and NDVI influence Cu, As and Pb concentrations, while distance and TWI explain Zn variations. These results highlight the importance of cover and abiotic factors in assessing metal pollution.