A multivariate approach for anomaly separation of potentially toxic trace elements in urban and peri-urban soils: an application in a southern Italy area

Purpose

Geogenic soil enrichment and anthropogenic pollution by potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs) are two processes acting together. Although it is often difficult, it is necessary to separate the two processes for risk assessment and understanding the environmental implications. The aim of this study was to analyse the soil concentrations of various PTEs in a southern Italy area in order to: (1) determine their different correlation structure to isolate sources of variation acting at different spatial scales and (2) to define potential anomalies based on the correlation structure.

Materials and methods

In the urban and peri-urban area of Cosenza-Rende, 149 topsoil samples were collected (0.10 m) and analysed for different elements by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Principal component analysis and factorial kriging analysis were used to map the spatial distribution of PTEs in topsoil and to identify the main factors influencing their spatial variability.

Results and discussion

Two groups of PTEs were identified: the first group included As, Pb and Zn; and the second one Al, Co, Cr, Fe, La, Nb, Ni, Ti and V. The first group was related to anthropogenic causes, while the second one was more related to parent rock composition. The regionalized factors at different scales of variability allowed to aggregate and summarize the joint variability in the PTEs and consider the probable causes of soil pollution.

Conclusions

The study allowed analysing and quantifying the sources (environmental or anthropogenic) of variation of PTEs acting at different spatial scale and defining the spatial anomalies based on the correlation structure associated at the different spatial scales.     

基于多元统计和地统计的肇源县表层土壤重金属来源辨析

土壤圈是地圈系统中对人类健康影响最显著的圈层之一。土壤重金属的自然和人为来源辨析对土壤修复和保障人体健康有重要意义。本研究以黑龙江省肇源县为研究区域,通过空间插值分析、主成分分析和聚类分析等方法,对区域土壤表层和深层土壤重金属As、Hg、Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni、Zn的含量和空间分异特征进行分析,进而对区域表层土壤重金属来源进行辨析。结果表明:成土母质作为表层土壤的重要物质来源对表层土壤重金属含量及空间分布有显著影响;肇源县表层土壤中Hg元素表现出全局范围较明显的富集现象,局部区域Cd元素表现出一定的富集现象,富集原因是人为污染造成的;嫩江上游汇水区土壤重金属元素的迁入,是表层土壤重金属As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni、Zn等元素在研究区范围内轻度富集的主要原因。     

Evidence of plaggen soils in European North Russia (Arkhangelsk region)

To clarify whether a particular group of soils of Archangelsk region (European N Russia) with humus‐rich topsoils exceeding the plowing zone supports an anthropogenic formation, four exemplary profiles were investigated. The investigation sites are characterized by distinct elevated surfaces, and the soils show thick toplayers of up to 60 cm with enrichment of soil organic matter and artifacts like brick, charcoal, and peat fragments, all indicating an anthropogenic origin. Increased phytolith amounts and high P contents of up to 800 mg kg^–1 citric acid–soluble P and up to 1,400 mg kg^–1 total P in the top horizons support an anthropogenic influence. These properties are very similar to the Plagganthrepts of NW Europe. The same is true regarding the main management aims: increasing soil fertility and overcoming the need of bedding materials. Having the required depths of the anthropogenic topsoil, the properties of the soils of the Archangelsk region allow a classification as Agrozems (Russian classification), Plaggenesche (German classification), and Plagganthrepts (US taxonomy). Since the high base saturation of the topsoil excludes a designation as plaggic horizon, the topsoil has to be considered as terric horizon, which leads to a classification as Terric Anthrosol according to WRB.     

苏南某冶炼厂周边农田土壤重金属分布及风险评价

选择江苏南部冶炼厂周边污染的水稻田,采集耕层0～15cm的土壤,分析土壤中重金属Cd、Pb、Hg、As、Zn、Cu的污染程度及其空间变异特征。结果表明,土壤Cd、Pb、Cu、Zn、Hg的全量随着距污染源距离的增加而减少,呈现由东北向西南扩散的趋势,As则是由西北向东南扩散。6种重金属中Cd、Hg的污染范围相对较大,Zn的污染范围最小。DTPA浸提的6种重金属有效态含量都是距污染源距离越远而越少。采用内梅罗综合污染指数法对土壤中的重金属进行风险评价,土壤重金属的综合污染指数为39.27,污染程度已超过5级,为重度污染,其中Cd、Hg污染最为严重,含量范围分别为3.98～44.58mg·kg-1、0.36～2.01mg·kg-1,As为中度污染,Pb、Cu、Zn则为轻度污染,说明研究区域农产品安全生产存在很大的风险。     

Zn and Pb release of sphalerite (ZnS)-bearing mine waste tailings

Background, aim, and scope  Contaminated mine drainage water has become a major hydrogeological and geochemical problem. Release of soluble metal contaminants and acidity from mining sites can pose serious chemical risks to surface and groundwater in the surrounding environment, and it is an important socio-economic factor addressed by working groups like SUITMA Morel and Heinrich (J Soils Sediments 8:206–207, 2008). The release of Zn and Pb from sulfide-bearing flotation residues of a small scale mine in Western Germany is investigated with focus on metal transfer to soil solution. Total contents of the soil material as well as soil water sampled with suction cups were analyzed. The influence of pH on leaching behavior was investigated with pH_stat tests. Isotopic analyses helped assessing seepage water velocity. The aim of this study was the assessment of the environmental behavior of zinc and lead caused by the weathering of sulfide-bearing mine tailings. Especially, we address in this paper the dissolution of sphalerite (ZnS) in contrast to the well-known dissolution processes of pyrite (FeS₂). Materials and methods  Total metal contents of the soil samples were analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, total C concentration was measured using a CHNS elemental analyzer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra were recorded from powdered soil samples. Soil water was sampled in nylon suction cups. Electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and temperature of the soil water samples were measured in the field immediately after sampling. Major anions (F, Cl, NO₂, NO₃, SO₄) were analyzed by ion chromatography, major cations (Ca, Na, K, Li) were analyzed by flame photometry, heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Fe, Mn, and Mg) by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Tritium was analyzed by liquid scintillation counting (LSC), ¹⁸O and ²H were analyzed by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). pH_stat tests were performed at four different pH values between 2 and 5. Results  Total Zn contents of the soil samples averaged 10 g kg⁻¹, Pb contents averaged 2.5 g kg⁻¹, Fe 22 g kg⁻¹, S 8.0 g kg⁻¹, and total carbon 4.0 g kg⁻¹. Below 2-m depth, soil samples had neutral pH values. Toward the surface, pH decreased down to pH 5.4 in P1 and P3, and to pH 5.9 in core P2, respectively. Dissolved contents of major ions (Mg, Ca, K, SO₄, and HCO₃) in the soil solution increased with depth. Metal concentrations (Fe, Mn, Zn) decreased with depth. The solution pH was neutral to slightly alkaline in samples below 2 m and slightly acidic (pH 6) at 1 m depth. Tritium values are around 7 TU and correspond to modern rain, i.e., after 1975. Stable isotope values plot on the global meteoric water line. The pH_stat tests provide two kinds of information, the acid neutralization capacity after 24 h (ANC24) and the release of metals depending on pH. The ANC24 increases linearly with decreasing pH from about 60 mmol(eq) kg⁻¹ at pH 5 to about 460 mmol(eq) kg⁻¹ at pH 2. Zn and Fe release show a strong increase with decreasing pH to 126 and 142 mmol(eq) kg⁻¹, respectively. Pb release increases at pH <4 and Mn release at pH <5, both to about 10 mmol(eq) kg⁻¹. Discussion  With an average of 10 g kg⁻¹, this field site is highly enriched in Zn. In the oxidized topsoil, Zn concentrations are significantly lower than in the anoxic subsoil. The distribution pattern of total Zn contents and soil pH values indicate that the topsoil, which is prone to oxidation and acidification, is already depleted in Zn. Only in soil core P2, Zn (and Fe) contents in the topsoil were higher than in the subsoil. Oxidation of the sulfidic material leads to redistribution into mobilizable species. High soil water concentrations (10 to 15 mg L⁻¹) can be found at acidic pH. The dominant Zn species in the soil solution is Zn²⁺. At neutral pH, Zn concentrations are below 0.001 mg L⁻¹. During the soil passage, the contaminated seepage water enters the anoxic subsoil with pH buffering carbonates. Results indicate that Zn is immobilized there. However, when the acid neutralization capacity is exhausted, a breakthrough of dissolved Zn to the groundwater has to be expected. Lead averages 2.5 g kg⁻¹ inside the flotation dump. In contrast to Zn, the first centimeters of the oxidized topsoil with high TOC contents show higher Pb contents than the anoxic subsoil. About 80% of the cation exchange capacity in the topsoil is occupied by Pb. In contrast to Zn, Pb is not abundant as aqueous species at slightly acidic pH. Values lower than pH 4 are necessary to mobilize Pb in higher amounts, as pH_stat experiments confirm. Hence, Pb is not expected to be leached out until the buffer capacity of the soil is exhausted. Conclusions  The environmental fate and behavior of Zn and Pb in the flotation dump is strongly depending on pH and redox conditions. Oxidation of sphalerite leads to a transfer of Zn from immobile to easily mobilizable species. Sulfide oxidation leads to an acidification of the topsoil where the buffer capacity is already exhausted due to the leaching of carbonates. At acidic pH, Zn is transferred to the aqueous phase and leached to the subsoil where soil pH is neutral. Electron supply and the buffer capacity of the material are found to be the main factors controlling the mobility of Zn. In contrast, the transfer of comparable amounts of Pb to the aqueous phase requires pH values <4. Since Pb is enriched in the topsoil, not leaching to the groundwater, but direct uptake (e.g., children, animals) and uptake by plants is the highest environmental risk. If the acidification of the soil proceeds with the same rate as in the last 40 years, it will reach the bottom of the tailing in about 200 years and a breakthrough of metals to the groundwater has to be expected. Recommendations and perspectives  The behavior of the different metals and their environmental impact depends on the different metal properties as well as on external conditions, e.g. pH, redox conditions, buffer capacity, and groundwater recharge. To assess the future release of metals from a flotation dump it is crucial to determine the main processes leading to acidification, the buffer capacity, and heavy metal binding forms. The release of heavy metals to the groundwater could be prevented by liming or other buffering techniques de Andrade et al. (J Soils Sediments 8:123–129, 2008). Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

典型铅锌矿区水田土壤重金属污染特征

采用现场采样及室内分析测试方法,研究了岩溶地区某铅锌矿厂区下游水田表层土壤及典型剖面中Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd的污染特征及其在剖面上的垂向迁移特性。结果表明,厂区下游水田表层土壤Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd的含量范围分别为35-89 mg.kg^-1、1 440-11 100 mg.kg^-1、249-4 610 mg.kg^-1、8.3-61.6 mg.kg^-1。除Cu的污染程度较轻外,Zn、Pb、Cd的污染达到了中度到极重污染的水平,且以Cd的污染最为严重。沿灌溉渠往下,表层土壤受到的污染越来越小,污染指数呈下降趋势。Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd在典型土壤剖面上均呈现出极为明显的向下迁移趋势。在0-20 cm,4种重金属的含量均较大;从20 cm往下至180 cm,其变化趋势基本上是先升高后降低,向下迁移的浓度峰值均出现在60-120 cm,但各元素向下迁移的规律略有差异。Cd向下迁移浓度峰值出现的深度比Cu、Zn、Pb的要深。     

六合蒋家湾蔬菜基地重金属污染现状与评价

以位于南京市城市边缘带的六合区蒋家湾蔬菜基地为研究区,对土壤进行了高密度样品采集与分析,阐明了该地区土壤重金属污染状况并进行了相关评价。研究数据表明:该区As、Cu、Zn、Cd、Cr、Pb等6种重金属在土壤中的含量均低于背景值,而土壤中Hg含量严重超标,为该地区主要的土壤污染因子。Hg进入土壤的途径可能包括蔬菜地高强度的农化产品投入、工业和生活垃圾施用,但没有证据显示与灌溉水源有关。     

基于稳健统计学确定高潜在污染土壤Cu、Pb基线值

土壤重金属基线值的确定对于评价重金属积累现状具有重要意义。在存在人为污染的情况下,土壤重金属数据经常强烈地偏离正态分布和对数正态分布,影响统计分析结果的可信度,而稳健统计方法可以降低离群值对统计分析结果的影响。本研究以张家港为研究区域,采用稳健回归方法,建立表层和底层土壤Cu、Pb的回归关系,通过底层土壤Cu、Pb含量计算表层土壤Cu、Pb基线值,并对土壤Cu、Pb积累状况进行评价。结果表明,稳健回归方法确定的表层土壤Cu、Pb基线值可以反映出不同样点间,土壤Cu、Pb背景含量的自然变异。与稳健统计学方法相比,使用国家土壤环境质量标准值,或大区域（江苏省）的土壤背景值,评价自然背景本身存在变异区域的土壤重金属积累状况时,可能会产生较大的误差。     

基于稳健统计学确定高潜在污染土壤Cu、Pb基线值

土壤重金属基线值的确定对于评价重金属积累现状具有重要意义。在存在人为污染的情况下,土壤重金属数据经常强烈地偏离正态分布和对数正态分布,影响统计分析结果的可信度,而稳健统计方法可以降低离群值对统计分析结果的影响。本研究以张家港为研究区域,采用稳健回归方法,建立表层和底层土壤Cu、Pb的回归关系,通过底层土壤Cu、Pb含量计算表层土壤Cu、Pb基线值,并对土壤Cu、Pb积累状况进行评价。结果表明,稳健回归方法确定的表层土壤Cu、Pb基线值可以反映出不同样点间,土壤Cu、Pb背景含量的自然变异。与稳健统计学方法相比,使用国家土壤环境质量标准值,或大区域(江苏省)的土壤背景值,评价自然背景本身存在变异区域的土壤重金属积累状况时,可能会产生较大的误差。     

典型煤矿工业园区土壤重金属污染评价

随着工业化进程的加快,一些农业用地转为工业用地,土地用途的转变可能会影响周围土壤的质量。该研究以河南省东部某煤矿工业园区为对象,分成不同小区采集土壤样品,分析工业园区内表层土壤的Hg、Cd、Zn、As、Pb、Cr六种重金属含量及污染评价,并同时与周边土壤重金属含量进行比较,分析可能造成土壤环境污染的因子。结果表明,根据土壤环境质量标准,工业园区域内土壤污染指数小于0.7,土壤清洁;但与周边土壤比较存在污染的风险,潜在重金属威胁主要表现为Hg,其他重金属污染风险趋势为Cd>Zn>As>Pb>Cr;在空间分布上,除Cr外,随着与工业园区距离的加大,其他五种重金属其含量有降低的趋势;同时根据结果提出合理土壤污染防控建议。     

抚顺西露天矿大型煤矸石山及其周边土壤重金属污染研究

对抚顺西露天矿煤矸石山表层及其周边0～1500m范围土壤进行多点分层取样,分析测定土壤样品中Cd、Cr、Cu、Pb、Ni等重金属元素含量。结果表明:矸石山碳质页岩与绿色泥岩重金属Cd含量较高,表层风化物中Cd、Ni含量较高,超过土壤环境质量2级标准,其中一些样点超过3级标准。随着与矸石山距离的增加,周边西南部风向方向上土壤Cd、Cr、Ni、Cu含量呈现规律性递减趋势。重金属Cd、Cr、Ni在20～40cm含量大于0～20cm含量,表明其具有一定的纵向迁移性。矸石山表层与周边邻近土壤pH较高,可有效减低重金属污染风险。     

土壤硒富集空间分布特征及影响因素研究

以揭阳市土壤为对象,系统采集了表层土壤样(0～20 cm)1 330个和深层土壤样(150～200 cm)331个,并利用相关性分析、回归分析、方差分析及GIS空间分析技术等方法对土壤硒的含量分布、富集特征及影响因素进行了系统的分析。结果表明,揭阳市表层土壤Se含量处于0.02～2.01 mg/kg之间,几何平均值为0.48 mg/kg,是中国土壤Se平均含量的1.66倍。揭阳市土壤总体呈足硒及富硒特征,不存在硒过剩,极少区域土壤呈硒缺乏特征,表层与深层土壤表现基本一致,富硒土壤主要分布于普宁市、惠来县及北部边缘。表层土壤中Se富集面积达到52.03%,但在空间上分布零散,这可能与母质、土壤类型等因素有关。强富集区域集中分布于花岗岩与粉砂岩为母质的土壤区,而大部分由第四纪冲积物形成的土壤无富集。方差分析表明:不同母质、土壤类型及土地利用方式对土壤Se的含量及富集水平均造成不同程度的影响,其中影响揭阳市表层土壤Se含量的主要因素为成土母质。除此之外,土壤理化性质及海拔也是影响揭阳市表层土壤Se富集的重要因素。回归分析表明表层土壤Se与pH值呈极显著的负相关,并且分别与有机碳、Fe_2O_3及Al_2O_3呈极显著线性正相关。     

Multivariate geostatistical analysis of heavy metals in topsoils from Beijing,China

Background  Regional soil environmental quality is a hotspot and difficulty in the environmental sciences for the spatial variability of pollutants and the relationship between them. Beijing, the capital of China, has been undergoing a rapid economical development during the past three decades, and thus might encounter the same issues as the developed countries. However, there is little information about the soil environmental quality of Beijing, especially at the regional scale. The real soil environmental situation of heavy metals remains unknown, even less the sources of possible pollutants. Objectives  The main objectives were to identify the spatial variability and main sources of heavy metals in Beijing soils by conducting multivariate statistical analyses, including geostatistical analysis assisted with GIS tools. These results will contribute to the establishment of the soil quality baseline and the management of regional environment. Materials and Methods  Seven hundred and seventy-three samples of topsoils (0–20 cm) were collected from all over Beijing, China. The samples were digested with HNO₃ and H₂O₂. The concentrations of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were analyzed with a FL-AAS and those of Cd with a GF-AAS. The concentrations of As were determined with AFS-2202. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial correlation analysis (CA) were used and geostatistics was conducted for the data processing. Results  Concentrations of topsoil As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in the Beijing area were measured and contour maps were constructed to describe the metals’ spatial distribution. Except for the background effect of the soils, anthropogenic factors made the soil heavy metal concentrations increase, especially in the center of the city. Combined with the PCA results, it was found that vehicle exhaust and smelters were the main sources of soil heavy metals. Pedogenic factors were also controlling the spatial features of metals. Discussion  Combined with the results of PCA, 7 heavy metals could be divided into 4 factors. F1 was the metals, i.e., Cu, Pb, Zn, mainly controlled by the human activities. Cr and Ni was in F2, Cd in F3 and As in F4. These 3 factors might be controlled by the soil parent materials. Concentrations of 7 heavy metals were comparable with the first level of environmental quality standard for soils of China and much lower than the second level of national standard for soils. Conclusion  The heavy metal concentrations in the topsoil of Beijing are mostly comparable with the background values, especially for As, Cr and Ni. In the city center of Beijing, Cu, Pb and Zn had a high concentration of distribution. The spatial features of As, Cr and Ni are mainly controlled by pedogenic factors, whereas Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn are controlled by anthropogenic and parent factors. Traffic and smelting contribute greatly to the increase of Pb, Zn and Cu in the soil, especially in the center of the city. Landfill may have also affected the soil quality around it. Recommendation  Different factors were controlled by parent materials, which might be related to the different soil minerals. Further research should be conducted in Beijing to elucidate the relationship between heavy metals and soil minerals. ESS-Submission Editor: Chengron Chen, PhD (c.chen@griffith.edu.au)     

Does returning sites of historic peri‐urban waste disposal to vegetable production pose a risk to human health? – A case study near Manchester,UK

Urban waste disposal occurred on fenland to the west of Manchester, England, between 1900 and 1964. The reclaimed fenland, Chat Moss, is now used for mixed arable farming. A total of 1.92 Mt of waste including privy midden, street sweepings, clinkers and slaughterhouse refuse was incorporated into the moss resulting in a modified topsoil with raised pH and reduced organic matter content compared with the subsoil. Elevated levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are observed in the topsoil beyond the typical depth of atmospheric contamination; Cd and As concentrations exceed soil guideline values (SGVs) at 1.8 and 43 mg/kg, respectively. Sequential extraction indicates that waste‐derived Pb, Zn and Ni remain predominantly in the residual fraction, whereas Cu was mainly organically bound. Arsenic was predominately found in oxide and organic matter fractions with Cd in carbonate, oxide, organic matter and residual fractions. Pot trials indicated limited uptake of PTEs by vegetables grown on the waste‐amended soil, with the exception of Cd uptake by lettuce (0.22 mg/kg FW) and Pb uptake by radish (0.16 mg/kg FW), which exceeded current EU limits of 0.2 and 0.1 mg/kg FW, respectively. Hazard quotients (HQs) identified no risks to adults from consumption of vegetables grown in these soils with the exception of lettuce consumption with a HQ of 1.4. Risks to children were slightly greater with HQs >1 for Cd in lettuce, spinach, carrots and onion, As in lettuce, parsley and onion and for Zn in spinach.     

Investigating the uptake and acquisition of potentially toxic elements in plants and health risks associated with the addition of fresh biowaste amendments to industrially contaminated soil

Soil contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs), due to rapid industrialization and urbanization, is a serious environmental concern that has been threatening both the sustainability of various agroecosystems and human health. Efforts to investigate the bioavailability, transfer, and accumulation of PTEs in the soil–plant system and their possible health consequences have almost exclusively focused in the past studies. However, there is limited evidence for increased human exposure to PTEs through dietary intake of food crop grown on contaminated soil influenced by fresh biowaste amendments (FBAs). Here, we show that FBAs addition to soil markedly (p  ≤ .01) intensified human exposure to PTEs through impacts on solubility, uptake, and bioaccumulation compared with the control. In general, the risk assessment performed indicated that the hazard index values for FBAs treatments were notably higher than that of control; however, these were shown to be less than the legal limit (<1). In addition, the lifetime risks of developing carcinogenicity from exposure to PTEs were far above the maximum regulatory limits (1.00E‐06), indicating that remarkable (p  ≤ .01) amount of PTEs was transferred to food with the addition of FBAs. Conclusively, these results suggest that the use of FBAs to contaminated soil aggravates health risks of PTEs through wheat consumption. Further studies, which incorporate the in vitro gastrointestinal bioaccessibility, should be conducted to heighten our understanding about PTEs exposure and the risks associated with FBAs addition to contaminated soil.     

Soil biogeochemical properties of Angren industrial area, Uzbekistan

Background, aim, and scope  The present study examined air pollution effects on soil health applying microbiological parameters. It was carried out near the Angren heavy industry complex in a semiarid region of Uzbekistan. This area was selected in order to establish a national monitoring program for assessing environmental condition of areas remote but downwind from greater emission sources. Moreover, little information exists about how air pollution affects microbiological functioning of soils in semiarid and arid regions of the world, and especially those of Central Asia. Materials and methods  Soil samples were collected in May 2005 along a 20-km NE–SW river valley transect downwind from the industrial complex. Soil chemical analyses included electrical conductivity, pH, water soluble Na, Ca, and K, total soluble nitrogen, and mineralizable nitrogen content upon a 1:2 digestion by deionized water. Major elements and heavy metal inventory in solids was measured by X-ray fluorescence and atomic absorption spectrometry. Microbiological ecosystem properties were assessed by biological indicators such as basal respiration (R _B), microbial biomass related C and N contents, and microbial community functioning coefficients like the metabolic quotient qCO₂. Results  There was a significant spatial dependence and differences for all soil chemical and microbiological parameters tested. The highest contents were found for the relatively volatile metals Zn (≤1,136 mg/kg) and Pb (≤373 mg/kg) in upper soil layers near the power station suggesting that the metal pollutants are derived from local stack emissions. Soil microflora was obviously affected by heavy metals. Significant positive correlations (p ≤ 0.001) were found between the metal content, R _B, and qCO₂, while a negative one was found for the mineralizable N and C _mic/C _org ratio. A high total number of nematodes was found only most distant from the industrial emission sources. Discussion  The results disclosed remarkable spatial dependence not only of the heavy metal impact onto the soil but also of microbiological soil properties in the study area. The latter suggests bioavailability of the anthropogenic metals in the soil affecting the soil microbial community. This is suggested by less biomass formation and higher qCO₂ values in heavy metal-contaminated compared to less-polluted soil plots. Conclusions  Knowledge of these spatial ecosystem functioning patterns and dependence could be very useful in determining and delineating specific land use and management programs that would be suited and feasible for the highly polluted area. Results of this study can be utilized to develop a monitoring program that may quantify harmful effects on the soil health and impact of any future remediation activities. Recommendations and perspectives  Studies on the relationship between soil biota and pollution levels have raised the question regarding the status of natural soil microbial health, stressing the importance of background data of environmental conditions, and elucidating the importance of this environmental monitoring approach even in semiarid and arid regions. Soil microbiological parameters, in particular the metabolic quotient qCO₂ as one of the most sensitive bioindicators identified for that region, should clearly become part of the national environmental monitoring program.     

Extractors for barium,cadmium, copper,nickel, and zinc in tropical soils

ABSTRACT

The accumulation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the soil can pose risks to human health, and precise risk assessment dealing with the production and consumption of plants is required. The 0.43 M of nitric acid (HNO?) solution was suggested by the International Organization for Standardization for reactive fraction of PTEs in the soil. The efficiency of some extractors was evaluated in tropical soils. Contents of barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) were extracted in accordance with the methods of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 3051A, Aqua Regia, Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3, 0.43 M HNO? and 0.01 M of calcium chloride (CaCl?), and these contents correlated with the contents of PTEs in roots, shoots, and fruits of vegetables. Mehlich-3 had the highest correlation with Ni and Zn contents extracted by the plants. Contents extracted with 0.43 M HNO? had high correlation with the amounts extracted by DTPA and Mehlich-3, as well as with the amounts of PTEs accumulated by plants.     

Soil versus plant as indicators of agroecosystem pollution by potentially toxic elements

The major route of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) to humans is the intake through food. They enter the food chain principally by plants uptake from the soil and, to a less extent, through foliar deposition. The soil‐to‐plant transfer as part of the biogeochemical cycle of these elements is a complex and hardly predictable process. In this study, we investigated the capability of soils and plants to indicate PTEs inputs in an intermingled urban‐rural landscape of south Italy affected by legal and illegal waste disposal and dumping. For this aim, 172 agricultural soil and plant (edible part) samples were collected in pairs from 47 municipalities and analyzed for 12 PTEs (As, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Se, Tl, V, Zn). Soil extractions with 1 M NH₄NO₃ and 0.05 M EDTA pH 7 were applied to assess PTEs bioavailability. Results were examined according to plant species and main soil chemical properties. For Pb and Cd, the soil‐to‐plant transfer factors (TF) and the corresponding soil benchmark concentrations were also investigated. Zinc, Cu, Cd, and Pb were the only PTEs of anthropic origin severely polluting from 10 to 16% of the soils, but only in a very few cases exceeded physiological or EU legal critical values in the edible part of the plants. An evaluation of human risk due to the ingestion of these elements was tried; no risk for consumers for Zn, Cu, and Pb, while for Cd three values slightly exceeded the tolerable daily intake. Therefore, we conclude that crops cultivated in the studied area could represent only a moderate risk for human health. No correlation was found between soil and plant data, which likely highlights different pollution inputs. A large variability characterized the Pb and Cd TF, making it difficult to establish a unique benchmark concentration for the studied agricultural soils.     

Application of Statistical Inference for Analysis of Heavy Metal Variability in Roadside Soil

Previous studies have found there are a variety of factors that influence heavy metal concentrations and Pb isotope ratios in roadside soil. One issue in assessing these factors is the need to distinguish between the natural sample variability at a single site and the variability between different sites. Data constraint often results in the lack of an adequate number of samples and hence is often a constraint on statistical reliability. Presented herein is a regionalisation approach that can be used to overcome the data constraint. This approach was used to analyse data collected at Miranda Park, Sydney, for assessment of the influence of rainfall, distance, depth and soil types. Application of the regionalisation approach enabled discrimination between natural sample variability and that from changes in the factors being considered. The regionalisation approach mitigates the data constraint and may assist researchers in their analysis of constrained data sets enabling more efficient monitoring of potential environmental issues. Additionally, it was found that the primary factors for heavy metal concentrations were rainfall, distance and soil types while depth was a secondary factor. A similar result was determined for the anthropogenic Pb component but not for the natural Pb component.     

Lithogenic and anthropogenic impacts on soil surface magnetic susceptibility in an arid region of Central Iran

In this study, natural and anthropogenic factors affecting the spatial distribution of topsoil mass magnetic susceptibility (χlf) were investigated in an arid region in Isfahan province, central Iran. A total of 100 surface (0–5 cm) soil samples were collected, and the χlf value of the soil samples was measured. High values of χlf in the east and northeast parts of the area indicated the occurrence of hilly igneous rocks and pediment geomorphic surface, enriched by ferrimagnetic minerals. In order to investigate the effects of human activities, multivariate geostatistics was applied to the results on the concentrations of eight heavy metals in surface soil samples. The results indicated that the spatial variability of second factor extracted by factor analysis, with high contribution of Zn, Pb and Cu, was well in agreement with the distribution of urban and industrial sites. This implied that magnetic particles accompanying the heavy metal emissions have increased χlf in the topsoil of the west of the area studied. Multiple linear regression analysis of χlf with studied factors revealed that the developed model explained about 64% of total variability in χlf in the studied area; and geology was identified as the most important controlling factor.