scholarly journals Contamination of the soil and water environment by heavy metals in the former mining area of Rudňany (Slovakia)

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 18-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Angelovičová ◽  
D. Fazekašová

Contamination of soil and water environment by heavy metals in a former mining area and their effect on the soil characteristics were determined. Soil samples were collected in the village of Rudňany which is, according to environmental regionalization, classified as an environmentally loaded and unhealthy area. Soil samples were collected in 2011 at eight fields situated at different distance from the pollution source. Total contents of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Hg), soil reaction (pH), organic carbon (C<sub>ox</sub>), activity of urease (URE), acid phosphatase (ACP), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined in soil samples. Water samples were collected in Rudniansky creek, which flows through the village. The contents of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Hg) were determined in water samples. High contents of heavy metals in soil and water result from long-term mining and smelting activities predominantly focused on copper and mercury production. Numerous heaps of waste material and tailing ponds are the main pollutant sources representing a great threat to the environment, as these pollutants can accumulate in plants and enter the food chain. Extremely high and above-limit values of copper and mercury were determined in the sampled soils. According to the index of geoaccumulation, copper has been shown as a serious contaminant in some soil sampling fields, which were determined as strongly contaminated. In terms of the geoaccumulation index, all sampling fields were evaluated as very strongly contaminated by mercury. We found significant positive correlation between zinc, lead, and copper contents in soils, which is a likely sign of the same source of pollution. A nonsignificant but positive relationship between soil reaction and heavy metals and a negative correlation between soil pH and organic carbon were observed. A high degree of soil pollution was reflected in soil biological properties. Activity of soil enzymes significantly decreased with increasing heavy metals content in soils. Rudniansky creek was polluted only by copper and mercury. The highest and above-limit values of these metals were determined at the point where the stream leaves the village (in a downstream direction).

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-152
Author(s):  
Danica Fazekašová ◽  
Juraj Fazekaš

AbstractIn the current study, we investigate the relationships among the soil functional diversity, physicochemical properties and heavy metals presence in an ecological farming system. The soil samples were collected from permanent research sites, from A soil horizons, at a depth from 0.05 m to 0.15 m, in June 2018. In fresh soil samples, we evaluated the metabolic profiles of their microbial communities, using Biolog® Eco Plates. The research showed that the soil physical properties got adjusted after a long-term application of an ecological farming system and that the measured values were stabilised, reaching the levels comparable with the average values for the relevant soil type. It is necessary to devote a continual attention to soil reaction, because soil is naturally acidified through acid atmospheric fallout as well as through calcium uptake-off by plants. The values of the selected heavy metals in the monitored period did not exceed the limit values specified in the Act No. 220/2004 Coll. Based on the results of Shannon’s diversity, we can conclude that the diversity in the investigated sites was low, from moderate to medium. The differences (3.26–3.36) among all 11 study localities were very small and not significant. There were determined the correlations between the soil functional diversity, soil physicochemical properties, and heavy metal contents. The average well colour development (AWCD) positively correlated with soil reaction and with Mg content and significantly negatively correlated with contents of Hg, Zn and Cu; equitability significantly positively correlated with soil reaction, Mg, AWCD and Shannon’s diversity. Spearman’s correlation coefficients confirmed the positive correlation between Shannon’s diversity and soil reaction, AWCD and Mg. In our study, no correlation was found between the functional diversity of microorganisms and the soil physical properties.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (Special Issue 1) ◽  
pp. S397-S400
Author(s):  
J. Tomáš ◽  
J. Čéry ◽  
S. Melicháčová ◽  
J. Árvay ◽  
P. Lazor

The work aimed to evaluate the state of agricultural soil contamination what is important for the gaining of information needed for growing of hygienic safe raw materials and foodstuffs. Metallic pollution of soil in Zemplínska polluted area has begins by accumulation of heavy metals in soil, mainly resulting from location in vicinity of chemical and industrial factories, as well as from many others sources. The pH value development indicates gradual trend of soils acidification, except of alkalic ones reaching up to 20% from total arable soils in Slovakia. Acidification is process, where acidity of abiotic compounds has been increased. Soil reaction is a significant agrochemical property markedly affecting growing and developing of plants, and has directly effect on soil fertility, influencing the ecological conditions for plants and soil microorganisms. The site had been localised with GPS and 5 sampling places had been fixed. From these sites the soil samples were taken from 1 depth, A horizon (0–0,2 m) and then processed and managed according to particular ISO norms. The soil reaction and the heavy metals contents in solution of <I>aqua regia</I> and HNO<sub>3</sub> in soil samples were assessed. Afterwards the gained results had been compared with limit values from legislative documents.


2002 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 285-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. MÄNTYLAHTI ◽  
P. LAAKSO

Increasing concentrations of arsenic and heavy metals in agricultural soils are becoming a growing problem in industrialized countries. These harmful elements represent the basis of a range of problems in the food chain, and are a potential hazard for animal and human health. It is therefore important to gauge their absolute and relative concentrations in soils that are used for crop production. In this study the arsenic and heavy metal concentrations in 274 mineral soil samples and 38 organogenic soil samples taken from South Savo province in 2000 were determined using the aqua regia extraction technique. The soil samples were collected from 23 farms.The elements analyzed were arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, nickel, lead and zinc. The median concentrations in the mineral soils were:As 2.90 mg kg –1, Cd 0.084 mg kg –1, Cr 17.0 mg kg –1, Cu 13.0 mg kg –1, Hg 0.060 mg kg –1, Ni 5.4 mg kg –1, Pb 7.7 mg kg –1, Zn 36.5 mg kg –1. The corresponding values in the organogenic soils were:As 2.80 mg kg –1, Cd 0.265 mg kg –1, Cr 15.0 mg kg –1, Cu 29.0 mg kg –1, Hg 0.200 mg kg –1, Ni 5.9 mg kg –1, Pb 11.0 mg kg –1, Zn 25.5 mg kg –1. The results indicated that cadmium and mercury concentrations in the mineral and organogenic soils differed. Some of the arsenic, cadmium and mercury concentrations exceeded the normative values but did not exceed limit values. Most of the agricultural fields in South Savo province contained only small amounts of arsenic and heavy metals and could be classified as “Clean Soil”. A draft for the target values of arsenic and heavy metal concentrations in “Clean Soil” is presented.;


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 256-262
Author(s):  
Y. I. Yakubu ◽  
I. A. Yola

This research investigated the environmental effect of local production methods of aluminium utensils in Bachirawa, Ungogo local government Kano. Three soil samples and two samples of water were collected from sites A, B,C, D and E. The samples were then taken to faculty of agriculture for analysis. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (A A S model No 240 FSAA) was used to determine the concentration levels of heavy metals in the samples. The results show that, the concentration levels of  heavy metals in the soil samples A, B and C are:  Zn ranges between  (1158.13 - 11,117.80)  mg/kg; Mn  between  (285.719 – 1809.672) mg/kg; Cd between (0.026 – 0.540) mg/kg; Cr (0.498 – 0.832) mg/kg and Pb between (42.54 - 285.53) mg/kg. The observed concentration levels in water samples for Zn ranges between (0.2411 – 0.4435)mg/l; Cd between (0.091 – 0.123) mg/l; Cr between (0.015 – 0.022) mg/l; Mn between (0.284 – 0.728) mg/l and Pb between (0.00-0.08) mg/l. Zinc and Manganese have higher concentration levels than the recommended  permissible limit set by European Union (EU) and  United Kingdom(UK)  while Cd, Cr and  Pb have lower concentration levels than the recommended permissible limit set by EU and UK in soil samples  A, B and C. The concentration levels of Mn, Cd and Pb in water samples were higher than the permissible limit set by World Healh Organization (WHO) whereas Zn and Cr have concentrations lower than the recommended permissible limit set by 


2021 ◽  
pp. 2947-2956
Author(s):  
Nazym Kozhanova ◽  
Nurzhan Sarsembayeva ◽  
Bozena Lozowicka ◽  
Zhassulan Kozhanov

Background and Aim: The quality of food, especially animal-based food, is crucial for human health. However, the quality of milk and other animal products has become an acute cause for concern in Kazakhstan . Technogenic dispersion of heavy metals (HMs) causes adverse effects on living organisms and creates unfavorable conditions for the existence of humans, animals, and plants. The purpose of this study was to analyze the content of several HMs in samples of soil, horse feed (hay, mixed feed, and bran), mare's milk, and manure to assess bioaccumulation and possible adverse effects on the bodies of horses. An additional purpose was to identify areas with acceptable conditions for obtaining environmentally safe horse breeding products in the agricultural zones of the Almaty region, Kazakhstan. Materials and Methods: Samples were obtained from two farms in the Almaty region in 2020 (spring, summer, and autumn). In total, 72 soil samples were analyzed, which were taken from the upper humus horizon to the depth of the arable layer. Eighty-six samples were taken from the feed of horses. Green feed was represented by perennial and annual grasses (alsike clover, Medicago sativa, sweet yellow clover, as well as pea and oat mix). Barley and wheat bran stored in the warehouses of the farm were sampled for the research as feed supplements. The mixed feed comprised components such as maize and sunflower. In addition, 46 samples of mare's milk and 28 samples of horse manure were collected. The HM analysis was performed in the laboratory of the Kazakh-Japanese Innovation Center. The residual amounts of HMs were determined using an absorption spectrometer with a voltammetric analyzer. The content of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) in all the studied samples of soil, feed, mare's milk, and manure did not exceed the threshold limit values (TLVs), suggesting that the intake of these toxic elements into the human body with food was low. Results: The average Cd concentration was in the range of 0.29-0.31 mg/kg in soil samples and in the range of 0.20-0.27 mg/kg in feed samples. In milk, the Cd concentration varied from 0.01 to 0.02 mg/L and was lower in summer and higher in fall. The total average Cd content in horse manure was 0.1844 mg/kg. The concentration of Pb in soil samples ranged from 1.09 to 1.30 mg/kg with the lowest value in spring and the highest in fall. In the feed, the concentration of Pb varied from 0.14 to 0.76 mg/kg and in milk from 0.03 to 0.15 mg/L. The average concentrations of Hg and As in soil samples averaged 0.022 and 0.019 mg/kg, respectively, and were within the TLVs. Conclusion: In the study areas, the calculated transition rates in the soil–feed–milk–manure system revealed that the greatest transition of HMs was observed for Pb and Cd, and a smaller migration was observed for Hg and As. The tendency of accumulation of trace elements continued in the feed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chai Fung Pui ◽  
Lesley Maurice Bilung ◽  
Kasing Apun ◽  
Lela Su’ut

Various prevalence studies onLeptospirain animals and humans, as well as environmental samples, had been conducted worldwide, including Malaysia. However, limited studies have been documented on the presence of pathogenic, intermediate, and saprophyticLeptospirain selected animals and environments. This study was therefore conducted to detectLeptospiraspp. in rats, soil, and water from urban areas of Sarawak using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. A total of 107 rats, 292 soil samples, and 324 water samples were collected from April 2014 to February 2015. PathogenicLeptospirawas present in 5.6% (6/107) of rats, 11.6% (34/292) of soil samples, and 1.9% (6/324) of water samples. IntermediateLeptospirawas present in 2.7% (8/292) of soil samples and 1.9% (6/324) of water samples. SaprophyticLeptospirawas present in 10.3% (11/107) of rats, 1.4% (4/292) of soil samples, and 0.3% (1/324) of water samples. From this study, 76Leptospiraspp. were isolated. Based on DNA sequencing, the dominantLeptospiraspp. circulating in urban areas of Sarawak are pathogenicLeptospira noguchii, intermediateLeptospira wolffiiserovar Khorat, and saprophyticLeptospira meyeri, respectively. Overall, this study provided important surveillance data on the prevalence ofLeptospiraspp. from rats and the environment, with dominant local serovars in urban areas of Sarawak.


2021 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 137-152
Author(s):  
Fagbenro Oluwakemi Kehinde ◽  
Adediji Victor Adebowale ◽  
Olaniyan Olatunji Sunday ◽  
Babatola Olumide

The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential impacts of 8.5 MW thermal power plant on soil and water quality within its location, Lekki area, Lagos State. The study area was geo-referenced using the existing map and Geographical Positioning System. Auger was used to sample soil at three different locations within the power plant. The soil samples were prepared and analyzed for the following parameters using standard analytical methods. The parameters include soil texture, Exchangeable cations and anions (H+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl- and SO42-) Nutrients compounds (NO3-, Total Nitrogen (TN), Organic Carbon (OC) and heavy metals (Fe, Cd, As, and Mn). Surface and groundwater samples were collected within the power plant in triplicate and analyzed for true colour, turbidity, conductivity, salinity, THC and Coliform. Dissolved Oxygen (DO), BOD5, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Organic Matter (OM) and heavy metals (As, Ag, Fe and Mn) of water samples were also analyzed. The soil from the study area is loamy-sand in texture. The average As, Ag, Fe and Mn in surface and groundwater samples were 0.055, 0.025, 3.150, 0.735 and 0.12, 0.080, 6.440 and 0.180 mg/L, respectively. The gas-fired power plant has contaminated the soil and water within its premises with petroleum and heavy metals. The engine stack should be modified to minimize the pollution effects of the power plant on the environment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1832 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aman Fang ◽  
Jihong Dong ◽  
Yingli An

Xuzhou, as a mining city in China, has been experiencing 130 years of coal mining and processing. To explore the spatial distribution characteristics and pollution status of soil heavy metals (Cr, Cd, As, Hg, Zn, and Pb) under different land-use types, a total of 2697 topsoil samples were collected in all of the areas (except for water) of Xuzhou in 2016. Overall, the mean concentrations of Cr (70.266 mg/kg), Cd (0.141 mg/kg), As (10.375 mg/kg), Hg (0.036 mg/kg), Zn (64.788 mg/kg), and Pb (24.84 mg/kg) in Xuzhou soils were lower than the environmental quality standard for soils (GB15618-1995). However, the mean concentrations of Cr, Hg, and Pb exceeded their corresponding background values, with the mean concentration of Hg being almost three times its background value. For different land-use types, the highest mean concentration of Cr was concentrated in grassland soils. The mean concentrations of Cd, As, Zn, and Pb in mining area soils were higher than those in the other soils. The mean concentration of Hg was the highest in the built-up area soils. Based on the potential ecological risk assessment, the forestland, garden land, grassland, and others were at low and moderate risk levels, the farmland and mining area were at low, moderate, and high risk levels, and the built-up area was at various risk levels in Xuzhou. There was a significant positive correlation between Cr, Pb, and Hg concentrations and the corresponding organic carbon contents in the farmland, built-up area, garden land, forestland, and other soils ( p < 0.01 ). A high degree of correlation was found between Cr and Hg concentrations, as well as organic carbon contents in grassland soils, with values of p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 , respectively. An obvious correlation could be seen between Hg concentrations and organic carbon contents in mining area soils ( p < 0.01 ).


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedicta Y. Fosu-Mensah ◽  
Elvis D. Okoffo ◽  
Michael Mensah

The contamination of pesticides in 32 soils and 64 drinking water samples was investigated from cocoa farms in the Dormaa West District of Ghana to assess pollution status. A total of nine synthetic pyrethroids pesticides were measured with a high resolution Varian CP-3800 Gas Chromatograph equipped with <sup>63</sup>Ni electron capture detector (ECD). Eight synthetic pyrethroid residues namely fenvalerate, deltamethrin, cypermethrin, bifenthrin, permethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, allethrin and cyfluthrin were detected with lambda-cyhalothrin and allethrin occurring most frequently in soil and water respectively. The concentrations of synthetic pyrethroids residues in the soil samples were in the ranges of; 0.02-0.03 mg/kg for lambda-cyhalothrin, 0.010-0.02 mg/kg for allethrin, 0.010-0.04 mg/kg for cyfluthrin, &lt;0.01-0.04 mg/kg for cypermethrin, 0.02-0.06 mg/kg for deltamethrin, and &lt;0.01-0.03 mg/kg for bifenthrin. Similarly, the synthetic pyrethroids residues in the water samples were in the ranges of; 0.01-0.05 µg/L for allethrin, 0.01-0.04 µg/L for fenvalerate, 0.01-0.04 µg/L for cypermethrin and 0.01-0.05 µg/L for deltamethrin. The concentrations of synthetic pyrethroids pesticide residues recorded in the soil samples analysed were generally below and within their respective US MRLs for agricultural soils, except the mean concentration values recorded for pesticides such as lambda-cyhalothrin at Diabaa (S2) and Krakrom (S3), allethrin at Diabaa (S2) and deltamethrin at Kwakuanya (S4), which were above their respective US MRLs for agricultural soils. The trends of synthetic pyrethroids pesticide residues in the water samples analysed from the various distances to cocoa farms decreased with an increase of water source to cocoa farm (ranking; 0-15m&gt;16-30m&gt;above 30m). All synthetic pyrethroids pesticide residues recorded in the water samples were below and within their respective WHO MRLs for drinking water except for deltamethrin, which exceeded the WHO MRL at Kwakuanya (S4) at distance 0-15m from a cocoa farm. The presence of synthetic pyrethroids residues in the soil and water samples analysed is an indication of the use of the pesticide by cocoa farmers in the study area. The routine monitoring of pesticide residues in the study area is necessary for the control and reduction of environmental pollution.


2021 ◽  
Vol 306 ◽  
pp. 04013
Author(s):  
Triyani Dewi ◽  
Edhi Martono ◽  
Eko Hanudin ◽  
Rika Harini

Monitoring and assessment of heavy metal concentrations in shallot fields are needed to evaluate the potential risk of contamination due to heavy metals. This study aims to define the status of heavy metal contamination in shallot fields using contamination indices. A total of 184 soil samples (0-20 cm) were taken from shallot fields in Brebes Regency, Central Java. The soil samples were analyzed for the concentration of five heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, and Co) with HNO3 and HClO4 extracts and measured using AAS. Assessment of the status of heavy metals contamination in the soil using contaminant factor (CF), geo-accumulation index (I-geo), and pollution load index (PLI). The mean concentration in shallot fields showed the following order Cr > Ni > Pb > Co > Cd and the concentration were still below critical limit values. Four metals are Pb, Cr, Co, and Ni are low contamination (CF<1), while Cd is considerable until very high contamination factor. Based on I-geo values, shallot fields are practically uncontaminated of Pb, Co, Ni, and Cr (I-geo<1), meanwhile the status of Cd is uncontaminated to moderately contaminated (0<I-geo<1). Generally, the shallot fields in Brebes Regency, Central Java is unpolluted with five metals (PLI<1).


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