GEOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF SOILS IN SOME CITY PARKS OF WARSAW

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GEOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF SOILS IN SOME CITY PARKS OF WARSAW

Journal Title: Biuletyn Państwowego Instytutu Geologicznego - Year 2012, Vol 450, Issue 450

Abstract

The main purpose of the studies on soils of Warsaw parks was to assess the level of metal pollution and especially enrichment of elements toxic for organisms. Samples were taken from two depth intervals (0.0–0.3 and 0.8–1.0 m) for comparison between anthropogenic changes and natural background. Sample density was 1 sample/0.01 km2. Elements were determined using ICP-AES method. Mercury was determined with CV-AAS method. The enrichment of copper, lead and zinc in the topsoil is related to urbanization factors. Cu (&gt;28 mg/kg), Pb (&gt;70 mg/kg) and Zn (&gt;206 mg/kg) concentrations found at the boundaries of the parks are due to atmospheric falls of industrial and traffic origin. The medians of barium (68 mg/kg), strontium (21 mg/kg) and sulphur (0.028%) in park soils are definitely higher than the geochemical background. The source of the enrichment seams to be emissions released from local power plants. Spatial distribution of aluminum, cobalt, chromium, iron, nickel and titanium is related to the geological structure. Spotty anomalies of metals in park soils are related to the long-term existence of polluting objects on their areas and to the use of ruins from Warsaw buildings after World War II as a building material for park footpaths.

Authors and Affiliations

Aleksandra DUSZA-DOBEK

Keywords

EP ID EP64548
DOI -
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