The sampling took place in the most polluted Armenian province, Lori. Here, mining and metallurgical activities are concentrated, including the Alaverdi copper smelter and non-ferrous iron-ore mines in Teghut and Akhtala.
“We’ve witnessed suspicious phenomena during our fieldwork,” explains Arnika’s project coordinator Nikol Krejčová. “Grey, blue and yellow rivers, damaged tree leaves or the spread of fine ash – the question is whether and how those are linked to the environmental pollution caused by, for example, the Alaverdi copper smelting plant, smoke from which flows through the valley striking the neighbouring villages,” she continues.