Pedo-geochemical baseline content levels and soil quality reference values of trace elements in soils from the Mediterranean (Castilla La Mancha, Spain)

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raimundo Ballesta ◽  
Paz Bueno ◽  
Juan Rubi ◽  
Rosario Giménez

AbstractTo evaluate trace element soil contamination, geochemical baseline contents and reference values need to be established. Pedo-geochemical baseline levels of trace elements in 72 soil samples of 24 soil profiles from the Mediterranean, Castilla La Mancha, are assessed and soil quality reference values are calculated. Reference value contents (in mg kg−1) were: Sc 50.8; V 123.2; Cr 113.4; Co 20.8; Ni 42.6; Cu 27.0; Zn 86.5; Ga 26.7; Ge 1.3; As 16.7; Se 1.4; Br 20.1; Rb 234.7; Sr 1868.4; Y 38.3; Zr 413.1; Nb 18.7; Mo 2.0; Ag 7.8; Cd 4.4; Sn 8.7; Sb 5.7; I 25.4; Cs 14.2; Ba 1049.3; La 348.4; Ce 97.9; Nd 40.1; Sm 10.7; Yb 4.2; Hf 10.0; Ta 4.0; W 5.5; Tl 2.3; Pb 44.2; Bi 2.2; Th 21.6; U 10.3. The contents obtained for some elements are below or close to the detection limit: Co, Ge, Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Yb, Hf, Ta, W, Tl and Bi. The element content ranges (the maximum value minus the minimum value) are: Sc 55.0, V 196.0, Cr 346.0, Co 64.4, Ni 188.7, Cu 49.5, Zn 102.3, Ga 28.7, Ge 1.5, As 26.4, Se 0.9, Br 33.0 Rb 432.7, Sr 3372.6, Y 39.8, Zr 523.2, Nb 59.7, Mo 3.9, Ag 10.1, Cd 1.8, Sn 75.2, Sb 9.9, I 68.0, Cs 17.6, Ba 1394.9, La 51.3, Ce 93.5, Nd 52.5, Sm 11.2, Yb 4.2, Hf 11.3, Ta 6.3, W 5.2, Tl 2.1, Pb 96.4, Bi 3.0, Th 24.4, U 16.4 (in mg kg−1). The spatial distribution of the elements was affected mainly by the nature of the bedrock and by pedological processes. The upper limit of expected background variation for each trace element in the soil is documented, as is its range as a criterion for evaluating which sites may require decontamination.

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Bravo Martín-Consuegra ◽  
Jose A. Amorós Ortíz-Villajos ◽  
Caridad Pérez-de-los-Reyes ◽  
Francisco J. García Navarro ◽  
Rolando Ruedas Luna ◽  
...  

The study of five soil profiles developed on carbonatic sediments of Tertiary Miocene origin has been carried out. The topography of the area was basically flat and the traditional uses of the soils are the cultivation of dry cereals and grapevine. The geochemical characterization of the aforementioned profiles involves a study of the contents of major and trace elements among other pedologic aspects (texture, pH, organic matter, etc.). The results of this study also indicate a superficial enrichment of trace elements due to the leaching of Ca and moderate biological and anthropic activity. We can consider strontium, Sr, as the trace element that characterizes these limy soils (435 mg/kg average content in total soil and 708 mg/kg in the original rock). These contents are similar to the average value in Castilla-La Mancha of 380 mg/kg and are higher than the average in world soils of about 200 mg/kg. High levels of dangerous or pollutant elements (Cd, Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn, or Ni) were not detected. The majority of trace element anomalies are related to calcareous material and the leaching of calcium carbonate (Ca), while the influence of the anthropogenic factor is secondary. Soil quality does not indicate toxicity although surficial enrichment suggests a weak threat from consuming crops.


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-157
Author(s):  
Cláudia de Lima e Silva ◽  
Adivane Terezinha da Costa ◽  
Giovanni Guimarães Landa ◽  
Herton Fabrício Camargos Fonseca ◽  
Aléssio Silveira

AIM: The aim was to verify the geochemical composition of sediments samples (riverbed and bank) and the relationship of the following elements: Al, As, Cd. Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn with the zooplankton community. METHODS: Bank and riverbed sediments were collected in four sampling points along the studied area, in June/2010 (dry season) and March/2011 (rainy season). Three types of analysis were performed: granulometric, mineralogical (by X-Ray diffractometer) and geochemical (by ICPOES), where for the last two types, only a fraction of silt/clay (<0.062 mm) was used, and the results were compared with the following reference values: Local Reference Value (Costa et al., 2010), Quality Reference Values (São Paulo, 2005), PEC and TEC values (MacDonald et al., 2000). For identification of the zooplankton community, riverbed and bank samples were collected in polyethylene bottles, suspended with deionized water (bank sample only), stained with Rose Bengal and preserved in formalin at 4%. RESULTS: As concentrations at Col sampled point were 18 times greater than the Local Reference Value (3.84 mg.kg-1). Cd concentrations were greater than the values established by the QRV (<0.5 mg.kg-1) and PEC (4.98 mg.kg-1) in almost all the sampled points, regarding seasonality. The following zooplanktonic species were identified: Arcella costata (Ehrenberg, 1847), Arcella discoides (Ehrenberg, 1843), Arcella vulgaris (Ehrenberg, 1830), Centropyxis aculeata (Ehrenberg, 1838), Centropyxis ecornis (Ehrenberg, 1841), Difflugia sp., Difflugia acuminata (Ehrenberg, 1838), Euglypha laevis (Perty, 1849), Trynema enchelys (Ehrenberg, 1938), Asplanchna priodonta (Gosse, 1850), and Bedelloida, with, approximately 81% belonging to the Protozoa group. CONCLUSIONS: The studied area, with the exception of the Tripuí point, was found to be impacted by historical gold exploration in the region, as well as by the growing urbanization. Within the elements considered to be the most toxic to the biota, As and Cd violated all their reference values. In spite of high concentrations of major and trace elements encountered at downstream points, testacea species were identified, suggesting that this group has the capacity to adapt to adverse situations.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 2623-2653 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Sanz-Lázaro ◽  
P. Malea ◽  
E. T. Apostolaki ◽  
I. Kalantzi ◽  
A. Marín ◽  
...  

Abstract. The aim of this work was to study the role of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica on the cycling of a wide set of trace elements (Ag, As, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Tl, V and Zn). We measured the concentration of these trace elements in the different compartments of P. oceanica (leaves, rhizomes, roots and epibiota) in a non-polluted seagrass meadow representative of the Mediterranean and calculated the annual budget from a mass balance. We provide novel data on accumulation dynamics of many trace elements in P. oceanica compartments and demonstrate that trace element accumulation patterns are mainly determined by plant compartment rather than by temporal variability. Epibiota was the compartment which showed the greatest concentrations for most trace elements. Thus, they constitute a key compartment when estimating trace element transfer to higher trophic levels by P. oceanica. For most trace elements, translocation seemed to be low and acropetal. Zn, Cd, Sr and Rb were the trace elements that showed the highest release rate through decomposition of plant detritus, while Cs, Tl and Bi the lowest. P. oceanica acts as a sink of potentially toxic trace elements (Ni, Cr, As and Ag), which can be sequestered, decreasing their bioavailability. P. oceanica may have a relevant role in the cycling of trace elements in the Mediterranean.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 2497-2507 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Sanz-Lázaro ◽  
P. Malea ◽  
E. T. Apostolaki ◽  
I. Kalantzi ◽  
A. Marín ◽  
...  

Abstract. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica on the cycling of a wide set of trace elements (Ag, As, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Tl, V and Zn). We measured the concentration of these trace elements in different compartments of P. oceanica (leaves, rhizomes, roots and epiphytes) in a non-polluted seagrass meadow representative of the Mediterranean and calculated the annual budget from a mass balance. We provide novel data on accumulation dynamics of many trace elements in P. oceanica compartments and demonstrate that trace element accumulation patterns are mainly determined by plant compartment rather than by temporal variability. Epiphytes were the compartment, which showed the greatest concentrations for most trace elements. Thus, they constitute a key compartment when estimating trace element transfer to higher trophic levels by P. oceanica. Trace element translocation in P. oceanica seemed to be low and acropetal in most cases. Zn, Cd, Sr and Rb were the trace elements that showed the highest release rate through decomposition of plant detritus, while Cs, Tl and Bi showed the lowest. P. oceanica acts as a sink of potentially toxic trace elements (Ni, Cr, As and Ag), which can be sequestered, decreasing their bioavailability. P. oceanica may have a relevant role in the cycling of trace elements in the Mediterranean.


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 291
Author(s):  
Joanna Beata Kowalska ◽  
Michał Gąsiorek ◽  
Paweł Zadrożny ◽  
Paweł Nicia ◽  
Jarosław Waroszewski

Research highlights: this article refers to the deep storage of trace elements as a result of the podzolization process under different types of vegetation cover. This is also an attempt to trace differentiation in the distribution of trace elements in mountain soils under the podzolization process. Background and objectives: we focused on estimating whether the podzolization process of soils under various vegetation covers led to the deep storage of trace elements in the subsoil. Furthermore, the potential contamination of studied soils with trace elements using pollution indices was assessed. Materials and methods: in thirteen soil profiles under three different vegetation types, chosen chemical–physical properties, e.g., organically bonded and active forms of Al and Fe, podzolization indices, and trace element content (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Ni) were analyzed. Additionally, pollution indices, such as Geoaccumulation Index, Potential Ecological Risk, Pollution Load Index, and Contamination Security Index, were calculated. Results: the distribution of Al and Fe varied among the soil profiles, suggesting different rates of podzolization processes that were partially dependent on the type of vegetation. Exceptionally high values of Alo and Feo were noted in profiles P1 and P2 (1.53% and 2.52% for Alo, and 2.13% and 1.46% for Feo, respectively) in horizons Bs and BsC under Plagiothecio-Piceetum taricum. Some of the soils showed the expected distribution of trace elements as the result of the podzolization process revealed their accumulation in the spodic horizon. Moreover, four different patterns of trace element distribution were recognized. Often, the accumulation of trace elements occurred in Bs/BsC horizons, e.g., in case of Zn soils P8, P9, and P10, which reached 65.8, 68.0, and 72.30 mg∙kg−1, respectively. However, there were no large differences in trace element content in soils independent of the vegetation type. The pollution indices in most samples confirmed lack of contamination with trace elements. Only several soil horizons were moderately polluted and showed deterioration of soil quality or very low severity. Conclusions: in the majority of studied soils, the podzolization process resulted in the deep storage of trace elements, i.e., the accumulation of spodic horizon; however, in certain cases, it might have been related only to the different lithology, and appeared as anomalies not related to the dominant soil-forming process. Anomalies were characterized by a much higher content of trace elements in the BsC horizon compared to the upper O horizons. Obtained data of trace elements, as well as values of pollution indices, did not indicate pollution. This lack of pollution was related to localization of soils within a topographic barrier that protected them from the deposition of potential trace element–rich pollution.


2021 ◽  
pp. 111-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmet Aytekin ◽  
Hasan Durucasu

In MCDM problems, the decision maker is often ready to adopt the closest solution to the reference values in a choice or ranking problem. The reference values represent the desired results as established subjectively by the decision maker or determined through various scientific tools. In a criterion, the reference value could be the maximum value, the minimum value, or a specific value or range. Also, the acceptances degrees of ranges outside the reference may differ from each other in a criterion. Furthermore, measurements in a criterion may have been obtained with any of the nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales. For the decision problems, including qualitative criteria, the solution cannot be achieved without scaling of criteria with the existing MCDM methods. The purpose of this study is to propose the Nearest Solution to References (REF) Method, a novel reference-based MCDM method, for the solution of decision problems having mixed data structure where references can be determined for criteria.


2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 62-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Schweinzer ◽  
M. Iwersen ◽  
M. Drillich ◽  
T. Wittek ◽  
A. Tichy ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to determine the supply of 25 different macrominerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium) and trace elements (aluminium, arsenic, barium, boron, cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, lithium, lead, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, silicon, strontium, sulphur, thallium, tin, titanium, uranium, zinc), and to ascertain the presence of any over- or undersupplies. As a second objective, we undertook a comparison of our results with existing reference values from selected literature and from laboratory analyses, with the aim of classifying the obtained results into the following categories: ‘deficiency’, ‘adequate’ and ‘oversupply’. For the study, 16 sheep and four goat farms located in the Austrian states of Upper Austria (n = 12), Carinthia (n = 6) and Vorarlberg (n = 2) were selected. From every farm, five serum blood samples were obtained by puncturing the vena jugularis to evaluate the macromineral and trace element status in clinically sound female sheep (n = 80; 12 different breeds) and female goats (n = 20; Saanen goats, Boer goats). The animals were kept for dairy farming (milking and/or meat production) or for landscaping. The mean age of both sheep and goats was 3.1 years (sheep: min. 0.5, max. 10; goats: min. 1, max. 5); 44% of the studied animals were lactating and 22% were pregnant at the time of sampling. The serum blood samples were sent to a laboratory and analysed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In summary, the supply with macrominerals and trace elements compared with reference values from the laboratory was adequate for As, Ca, Fe and Mg in sheep and for As, Ca, Cu, K, Mg and Se in goats. Although all animals in our study were examined for clinical signs of disease by the local veterinarian, oversupplies in sheep for the elements K and Mo and in goats for Fe as well as undersupplies in sheep and goats for Zn could be found in the serum of the studied animals.


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