The present study describes a method for the determination of As (III) and As (V) in copper electrolytes. The method is based on the separation of As (III) from a copper electrolyte by triple liquid-liquid extraction using a non-polar organic solvent in a medium of 10-12 mol L–1 HCl. The extract contains As (III) and the raffinate-As (V), respectively. As(III) specie can be re-extracted from the organic solvent through the water. Analyzes of the concentration of As in the re-extract and raffinate were performed by ICP-OES spectroscopic method. The average recovery of arsenic by the proposed method is about 99%. Repeatability was estimated with RSD (n = 6). Selectivity and accuracy were proven by the standard addition method. The relative error for restoring the standard addition of As (III) is about 0.3%. The speciation method analysis could be applied for determination of the arsenic species in the analytical quality control of refined copper in copper tanks in the production of copper cathodes.

Exploitation of lignite within the area of Muskau Arch, carried out from the mid-nineteenth century, contributed to the transformation of the natural environment and changes in water regime. In the post-mining subsidences pit lakes were formed. The chemical composition of waters is a consequence of the intensive weathering of pyrite (FeS2), which is present in Miocene lignite-bearing rock forming the embankments of the lakes. This process leads to the formation of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) and finally acidification of lake waters.

This paper presents results of the identification of hydrogeochemical processes affecting the chemistry of waters from these reservoirs carried out using the speciation and statistical (cluster and factor) analyses. Cluster analysis allowed to separate from the analyzed group of anthropogenic reservoirs 7 subgroups characterized by a similar chemical composition of waters. The major processes affecting the chemistry of waters were identified and interpreted with help of factor and speciation analysis of two major parameters (iron and sulfur).

Composting of municipal solid waste with a 1 % addition of pulverized metallic iron, iron oxide(III) and iron sulfide(II) has been carried out. The amounts of iron in the bioavailable forms have been assayed in the composts obtained by means of speciation analysis, and the influence of composting on iron mobility has been evaluated. It has been found that pulverized metallic iron introduced into the waste occurs in the compost in the fractions easily accessible to plants, mainly the carbonate fraction. In the waste contaminated with Fe203 iron remains in the residual fraction, and composting does not practically increase its mobility. Over half of the iron from FeS remains in the waste in the residual fraction however, after composting there was an increased iron concentration in the bioavailable carbonate fraction.