recultivation, mine tailings, mining dump Jeremenko, acute toxicity tests, acetylcholinesterase

The aim of this study is to assess the suitability of use of a selected battery of biological tests to evaluate ecotoxicity of mine tailings before biological recultivation of mining dumps. Samples of mine tailings were collected at mining dump Jeremenko in Kunčice nad Ostravicí. For determination of acute toxicity, contact test using earthworms Eisenia foetida, germination and growth inhibition test using seeds of Sinapis alba, luminescence test using bacteria Vibrio fischeri and enzyme acetylcholinesterase inhibition assessment were used. Results showed clearly that indicator organisms reacted sensitively to the presence of toxicological substances found in mine tailings samples. These samples were collected at five locations at mining dump of Jeremenko mine. In three of these locations, a toxicological effect could be observed in all indicator organisms. This study proved the suitability of application of ecotoxicological evaluation for determination of possible use of biological recultivation at mining dumps.