Soil Quality and Heavy Metal Pollution Assessment of Iron Ore Mines in Nizna Slana (Slovakia)

Mining activities have resulted in the existence of dumps, which generally present a perpetual danger of moving and transforming toxic elements. The experimental study was carried out in Nizna Slana (Slovakia) where the main source of emission was the iron-ore mining–processing factory focused on siderite mining. Siderit from Nizna Slana is highly ferrous with an increased level of the Mn content. Among the undesirable impurities on the deposit are mainly As, S, Pb, and Zn. According to the environmental regionalization of the Slovak Republic, the surveyed area represents a region with a slightly disturbed environment. The BIOLOG® Eco plates method was used for ecotoxicological evaluation of contaminated soils, where soil enzymes (acidic and alkaline phosphatase and urease) were also monitored in soils and soil contamination was evaluated according to Hakanson (1980). Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the content of Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu, As, Fe, Mn, and Mg is above the toxicity level. As, Fe, Mn, and Mg are the most serious pollutants in the area under investigation, and their pronounced excess indicates contamination, where harmfulness and toxicity can be expected. Based on the evaluation of the contamination factor and the degree of contamination, the soils in the emission field of old mining works are very highly to slightly contaminated with heavy metals. The experimental results in the real environment showed that the activity of soil enzymes showed considerable differences, and, regarding the functional diversity of soil microorganisms, we have not seen significant spatial variability.

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METAL PHYTOTOXICITY: SUITABLE INDICATORS AND TESTS FOR ECOTOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF CONTAMINATED SOILS

Agricultural sciences ◽

10.22620/agrisci.2010.04.008 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol II (4) ◽

pp. 51-58

Author(s):

Andon Vassilev ◽

Malgozata Berova ◽

Nevena Stoeva ◽

Zlatko Zlatev ◽

Nikolay Dinev

Keyword(s):

Contaminated Soils ◽

Ecotoxicological Evaluation

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Applying Some Indices for Soil Pollution Assessment in Northern Industrial Area from Erbil Governorate

Al-Qadisiyah Journal Of Pure Science ◽

10.29350/qjps.2021.26.4.1385 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 45-58

Author(s):

Nashmeel Khudhur ◽

Sidra Qubad Yassin ◽

Ahmed Saman Hassan ◽

Mortatha Nawzad Omar

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Soil Pollution ◽

Surface Soil ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Pollution Assessment ◽

Industrial Area ◽

Pollution Load Index ◽

Growth Effect ◽

Lepidium Sativum ◽

Soil Site

Soil pollution by some heavy metals including: Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd and Pb from northern industrial area of Erbil City was assessed. The contamination indices including: geoaccumulation (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), degree of contamination (Cdeg), pollution load index (PLI) and element contamination index (ECI) were applied to assess soil pollution in Erbil North Industrial area at three sites (for both surface and sub-surface soils). Maximum Fe value 34243.6 ppm was recorded in sub-surface soil (site 2). Maximum values 265.4, 248.8, 98.23 and 397.45 ppm were recorded for Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn at sub-surface soil (site 3). Whereas, maximum values of 22.52, 5.36, 23.9, 6.12 and 65.67 ppm were recorded for As, Mo, Ag, Cd and Pb at surface soil (site 3). Results of analysed heavy metals for soil Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Ag, Cd and Pb have shown that the studied sites were severely contaminated with Cd, so the maximum detected Cd concentration was 6.12 ppm in surface soil (300 meters away from the industrial area). The soil pollution in the studied area was classified as moderate to strong surface and sub-surface soil contamination. Behavioral toxicity experiment showed slight growth effect on Lepidium sativum L.

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Industrial Activities and Heavy Metal Pollution: Assessment of Concentration of Zn, Cu, Cd Cr and, Pb in Soil Samples around Dangote Cement Factory Kogi State, Nigeria

Asian Journal of Chemical Sciences ◽

10.9734/ajocs/2020/v8i419057 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 75-86

Author(s):

Sani Daniel Eneji ◽

Matthew Chijioke Apeh ◽

Enyojo Samson Okwute ◽

Alowakennu Micheal ◽

Kayode Ibrahim Fesomade

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Pollution Assessment ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Industrial Activities ◽

Cement Factory ◽

The Relationship ◽

Geo Accumulation

This study aims at determining the concentration of heavy metal contaminants in the soil around Dangote cement factory Kogi State, Nigeria. It also seeks to understand the relationship between the heavy metals and the level of concentration with respect to distance and direction as well as the ecological risk it poses. The monitoring and assessment of soil pollution have over the years become a very important area of study due to the significant threat it poses to the food web. A total of 33 soil samples were collected in the Northern, Eastern and Western axis within a radius of 4km of Dangote cement factory at a depth of 0-15cm using a stainless steel auger. The contamination factor indices for Cr and Cu show moderate pollution across all the samples collected from different axis at a different distance from the factory. Zn also pose a moderate pollution across the samples except for WK4 and NK4 where it is in a low level of contamination. The geo-accumulation indices for Pb and Cr show unpolluted to moderately polluted across all samples at different locations expect for sample location EK4. The results of the ecological risk assessment revealed that Cd poses the highest ecological risk of all the five heavy metals investigated.

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Evaluation and Risk Factors of Roadheaders in Coal Mines

Management Systems in Production Engineering ◽

10.2478/mspe-2021-0030 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 242-250

Author(s):

Erika Škvareková ◽

Marianna Tomašková ◽

Dušan Sabadka ◽

Marian Šofranko ◽

Štefan Zelenák

Keyword(s):

Slovak Republic ◽

Coal Mines ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Soft Rock ◽

Occupational Accidents ◽

Rock Falls ◽

Work Activity ◽

Safety Risks ◽

Hydraulic Machines ◽

Mining Works

Abstract During mechanical disintegration of the rock, for mining works are used also roadheaders. Roadheaders, in comparison with disintegration by blasting operations can without interuption, and works changes with one machine, dissolve, load and at the same time mine disintegrated rock. These electro-hydraulic machines cause no harmful vibrations and are ideal for mining coal and other soft rock minerals. Mechanical mining is safer, protects the rock environment, allows mining without further breaks, allows you to achieve a higher level of daily progress and also saves work. The analysis of occupational accidents in the Slovak Republic shows that it is necessary require from employees increased attention in any work activity and attention in the work performed (mainly work in handling material, objects and burdens). In the underground coal mines further attention needs to be paid to securing hazardous areas, it is necessary to proceed in such a way as to prevent as much as possible the fall of rock as much as possible Underground roads require modification and equipment in accordance with regulations. It is necessary to follow health and safety instructions mentioned in operating and maintenance documentation. Correction of some deficiencies is ordered by a decision of the Mining Office. Most measures are aimed at adhering to technological discipline, to complement operating documentation, to prevent rock falls, to equip some machinery and transport equipment, to work procedures for handling loads, to maintenance of mining works and for explosion and anti-vapor prevention. In this article, we assess the safety risks of two roadheaders for coal mining works in Slovak conditions. Pairwise comparisons of the criteria of selected roadheaders were used to determine the safety risks, as well as taking into account the risks and safety measures according to the mixed methods following to the standard.

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Assessing the suitability of chemical ameliorants for reducing bio-availability of heavy metals in bulk fly ash contaminated soil

10.21203/rs.3.rs-859212/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Joy Kumar Mandal ◽

Siddhartha Mukherjee ◽

Niharendu Saha ◽

Nibedan Halder ◽

Sanjoy Chakraborty

Keyword(s):

Fly Ash ◽

Environmental Sustainability ◽

Contaminated Soils ◽

Crop Production ◽

Power Plants ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Thermal Power ◽

Ammonium Phosphate ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Management Option

Abstract In-situ rehabilitation of fly ash at dumping sites has been rarely addressed for crop production due to growth-related constraints, largely of heavy metal (HM) contamination in soils and crops. Current communication deals with a novel approach to identify a suitable management option for rejuvenating the contaminated soils. In this background, a 60-days incubation experiment was conducted with different fly ash-soil mixtures (50 + 50%, A1; 75 + 25%, A2; 100 + 0%, A3) along with four ameliorants, namely, lime (T1), sodium sulphide (T2), di-ammonium phosphate (T3), and humic acid (T4) at 30 ± 2 0 C to assess the ability of different fly ash-soil-ameliorant mixtures in reducing bio-availability of HMs. DTPA-extractable bio-available HM contents for lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr) and their respective ratios to total HM contents under the influence of different treatments were estimated at different stages of incubation. Further, the ecotoxicological impact of different treatments on soil microbial properties was studied. A1T1 significantly recorded the lowest bio-availability of HMs (~ 49–233% lower) followed by A2T1 (~ 35–133%) among the treatments. The principle component analysis also confirmed the superiority of A1T1 and A2T1 in this regard. Further, A1T1 achieved low contamination factor and ecological risk with substantial microbial biomass carbon load and dehydrogenase activity. Thus, liming to fly ash-soil mixture at 50:50 may be considered as the best management option for ameliorating metal toxicity. This technology may guide thermal power plants to provide the necessary package of practices for the stakeholders to revive their contaminated lands for better environmental sustainability.

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Microbiological Assessment of the Level of Potting Soil Contamination in Urban Areas of Metal Cutting Oils

Ecology and Industry of Russia ◽

10.18412/1816-0395-2018-10-34-37 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 22 (10) ◽

pp. 34-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

E.H. Sakaeva ◽

L.V. Rudakova ◽

L.M. Shchuklinа

Keyword(s):

Soil Contamination ◽

Contaminated Soils ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Soil Enzymes ◽

Urban Soils ◽

Metal Cutting ◽

Urease Activity ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Podzolic Soils

The results of experimental studies on the effect of metal-cutting oils (MCO) on potting soil microbiocenosis are presented. Comparative characteristics of microbiocenosis of contaminated soils with microbiocenosis of urban soils and sod-podzolic soils were carried out. The effect of various concentrations of coolant on soil enzymes (dehydrogenase, catalase, urease) is shown, and the dependence of urease activity of soils on the concentration of coolant is revealed, and therefore, the parameter "activity of urease" is recommended as an indicator in assessing the level of soil contamination of the coolant.

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Functional diversity of microorganisms in metal- and alkali-contaminated soils of Central and North-eastern Slovakia

Soil and Water Research ◽

10.17221/37/2018-swr ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (No. 1) ◽

pp. 32-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Juraj Fazekaš ◽

Danica Fazekašová ◽

Peter Adamišin ◽

Petra Huličová ◽

Eva Benková

Keyword(s):

Environmental Factors ◽

Functional Diversity ◽

Contaminated Soils ◽

Iron Ore ◽

Shannon Index ◽

Permissible Limit ◽

Soil Reaction ◽

North Eastern ◽

Long Time ◽

Tailings Impoundments

A field-based study and laboratory tests were undertaken to determine the functional diversity of microorganisms in metal- and alkali-contaminated soils in Central and North-eastern Slovakia where iron ore and magnesite have been mined and processed for a long time. To improve the understanding of the functional diversity of microorganisms, we examined the effects of environmental factors on the functional diversity of microorganisms in metal- and alkali-contaminated soils in the emission field of heaps and tailings impoundments of iron ore mines (Central Spiš) and magnesite factories (Jelšava and Lubeník). Biolog<sup>®</sup> Eco Plates were used to determine and assess metabolic profiles of microbial communities. The examined area of Central Spiš showed extremely high values of Hg and Cu and the values of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cr exceeding the permissible limit were determined. Soil reaction was extremely acidic to strongly acidic. The Jelšava and Lubeník area was characterized by alkaline contamination and the soil reaction was slightly acidic to strongly alkaline. The values of Cr, Mn, and Mg exceeding the permissible limit were measured there. The results indicate harmful and even toxic contamination. Our results showed that the diversity of microorganisms was different in the investigated areas and it was significantly influenced by environmental factors such as soil reaction, bulk density, porosity, and heavy metals Hg, Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu, Mn and Mg. Based on the results of the Shannon index, we can conclude that the diversity was low to moderate (2.5–3.3) and medium (3.3–4.0). Correlations between functional diversity of microorganisms and soil reaction, Hg, Cr, and Cu were determined. Our findings are decisive for understanding the microbial diversity in metal- and alkali-contaminated soils and they can be used to assess the quality and health of soil, as well as for scientific applications of remediation techniques.

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Evaluation of Soil and Ambient Air Pollution Around Un-reclaimed Mining Bodies in Nižná Slaná (Slovakia) Post-Mining Area

Toxics ◽

10.3390/toxics8040096 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 96

Author(s):

Lenka Demková ◽

Július Árvay ◽

Lenka Bobuľská ◽

Martin Hauptvogl ◽

Miloslav Michalko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Enzymes ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Mining Area ◽

Pollution Load Index ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Hazardous Substances ◽

Ambient Air Pollution ◽

Pollution Load ◽

Bioaccumulation Index

Thirty soil samples were taken, and the same number of moss (Dicranum scoparium) and lichen (Pseudevernia furfuracea) bags were exposed to detect environmental pollution in the former mining area Nižná Slaná. Soil and ambient air are influenced by hazardous substances, which leak from old mining bodies due to insufficient or completely missing reclamation. The total content of the risk elements (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Sb, Se, Pb, Zn) was determined in soil, moss, and lichen samples and in the bodies of Leccinum pseudoscabrum. Biological (soil enzymes—urease, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, fluorescein diacetate (FDA), ß-glucosidase) and chemical properties (pH) were determined in soil samples. Contamination factor (Cf), degree of contamination (Cd), pollution load index (PLI), and enrichment factor (EF) were used for soil and relative accumulation factor (RAF) for air quality evaluation. Contamination factor values show serious pollution by Cd, Fe, Hg, and Mn. Pollution load index confirmed extremely high pollution almost at all evaluated areas. Soil enzymes reacted to soil pollution mostly by decreasing their activity. Mosses and lichens show differences in the accumulation abilities of individual elements. Regular consumption of L. pseudoscabrum would provide the dose of Cd and Hg below the limit of provisional weekly intake. Based on the bioaccumulation index (BAF) values, L. pseudoscabrum can be characterized as an Hg accumulator.

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Comprehensive Evaluation of Metal Pollution in Urban Soils of a Post-Industrial City—A Case of Łódź, Poland

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules25184350 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (18) ◽

pp. 4350

Author(s):

Kinga Wieczorek ◽

Anna Turek ◽

Małgorzata Szczesio ◽

Wojciech M. Wolf

Keyword(s):

Contaminated Soils ◽

Urban Soils ◽

Prolonged Exposure ◽

Comprehensive Evaluation ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Principal Component ◽

Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Pollution Load Index ◽

Soil Extraction ◽

The City

The pollution of urban soils by metals is a global problem. Prolonged exposure of habitants who are in contact with metals retained in soil poses a health risk. This particularly applies to industrialized cities with developed transport networks. The aim of the study was to determine the content and spatial distribution of mobile metal fractions in soils of the city of Łódź and to identify their load and sources. Multivariate statistical analysis (principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA)), combined with GIS, were used to make a comprehensive evaluation of the soil contamination. Hot-spots and differences between urban and suburban areas were also investigated. Metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after soil extraction with 1 mol L−1 HCl. In most sites, the metal content changes in the following order: Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cd. About one-third of the samples are considerably (or very highly) contaminated, (contamination factor, CF > 3) with Cu, Pb, or Zn. In almost 40% of the samples, contaminated soils were found (pollution load index, PLI > 1). All metals have a strong influence on the first principal component (PC1), whereas second principal component (PC2) is related to pH. Polluted soils are located in the downtown, in the south and east part of the city. The distribution of contamination coincides with the urban layout, low emission sources and former industrial areas of Łódź.

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