Geochemical background - an environmental perspective

Gałuszka, Agnieszka; Migaszewski, Zdzisław M.

doi:10.2478/v10002-011-0002-y

Cited by 112 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Geochemical background is commonly defined as a natural concentration range of a substance in a specific environmental compartment (Matschullat et al 2000;Gałuszka 2007;Gałuszka and Migaszewski 2011). This term, originally introduced into geochemistry for discrimination between non-anomalous element concentrations and geochemical anomalies (Hawkes and Webb 1962), was adapted to environmental sciences for differentiation between natural and contaminated sites (Förstner and Müller 1981).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geochemical background of potentially toxic trace elements in reclaimed soils of the abandoned pyrite–uranium mine (south-central Poland)

Gałuszka

Migaszewski

Duczmal-Czernikiewicz

et al. 2016

Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Spatial distribution patterns of As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, U and Zn were determined in topsoil samples collected after 40 years of chemical remediation conducted in the inoperative ''Staszic'' pyrite-uranium mine in the Holy Cross Mountains, south-central Poland. Soil samples were taken from 58 sites using a systematic random sampling design. Selected samples were subjected to an X-ray diffractometry analysis on bulk soils and separated clay fractions. Hematite, goethite and gypsum are common mineral phases in soil samples. Technogenic soils developed on reclaimed mine spoils show uniform spatial element distribution patterns and additionally a distinct enrichment in As, Pb, Mn, U and Zn. Mineral and chemical composition of soils vs. rocks points to the lithogenic source of the determined elements. The results of chemical analysis have been used for evaluation of geochemical background of trace elements in the study area with the iterative 2r-technique. This investigation shows that using mean crustal element concentrations (Clarke values) as proxies of threshold values in soils are not useful for determination of strongly positive geochemical anomalies. A modified enrichment factor, i.e. a local enrichment factor, is proposed for identification of sites where soils are contaminated.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geochemical background of potentially toxic trace elements in reclaimed soils of the abandoned pyrite–uranium mine (south-central Poland)

Gałuszka

Migaszewski

Duczmal-Czernikiewicz

et al. 2016

Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…Since 2000, many authors have discussed the issues related to geochemical background and have proposed different methods of its evaluation (Matschullat et al 2000;Li et al 2003;Gałuszka 2006Gałuszka , 2007Gałuszka and Migaszewski 2011;Gustavsson et al 2012;Rékási and Filep 2012). However, only very few publications have considered geochemical background of metals in soils of post-mining sites (Loredo et al 2006;Teršič et al 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geochemical background of potentially toxic trace elements in soils of the historic copper mining area: a case study from Miedzianka Mt., Holy Cross Mountains, south-central Poland

et al. 2015

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the geochemical background and spatial distribution patterns of selected trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, U and Zn) in 62 surface soil samples collected in the historic Cu mining area (Miedzianka Mt., Holy Cross Mountains, south-central Poland). In the study area the mining activity dates back to the fourteenth century. After the shutdown of mining operations in 1953, the soil was not remediated and neither its mineralogy nor chemistry was examined. The examined soils showed a high variability in the element concentrations. The threshold values defined as the upper limits of geochemical background range (mg kg -1 in parentheses) were Cr (63), Mn (2156), Ni (39), Cu (52), Zn (175), As (36), Cd (2), Pb (73) and U (1.9). A high percentage of the samples exhibited trace element concentrations above the upper limit of the geochemical background range. The threshold values were evaluated in this study with application of the iterative 2r-technique. All of these values exceeded the standards recommended for soils in protected areas of Poland. The sampling points with anomalous concentrations of potentially toxic trace elements were located mostly in southern and western parts of the study area close to the sites of former mining activities. Very high concentrations of As, Cr and Ni at several sites may adversely influence the environment. High positive correlations between all the determined elements may be indicative of a common geogenic source of these elements and their geochemical affinity.

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“…Despite the above drawbacks, this method is advantageous in the sense that 120 the results represent actual data and are not subject to any processing. On the other hand, the 121 sampling of pristine areas is accompanied by the uncertainty of whether they are indeed free of 122 anthropogenic pollution (Galuzska and Migaszewski, 2011). 123…”

Section: Introduction 30mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, demonstrated that the 102 median ± two times the median of the absolute deviations (median±2·MAD) is a more 103 appropriate estimator, even for normal populations. 104 The use of direct methods is criticized for various reasons: sampling of deep sediment is considered 111 technically difficult and expensive (Carral et al, 1995); it requires expert knowledge of the sampling 112 area and about the geochemical behaviour of the investigated elements, and there may be 113 subjectivity in selecting samples (Matschullat et al, 2000;Galuzska and Migaszewski, 2011). 114…”

Section: Introduction 30mentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of background levels and pollution assessment for seven metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn) in sediments of a Mediterranean coastal lagoon

Hernández-Crespo

Martín

2015

CATENA

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ElsevierHernández Crespo, C.; Martín Monerris, M. (2015). Determination of background levels and pollution assessment for seven metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn) Abstract: The determination of background levels of trace metals in soils and sediments is a key point for the proper assessment of pollution degree. This study demonstrates the suitability of integrating geological and statistical methods for the reliable determination of background levels, applying it to the sediments of Lake Albufera, a wetland of international importance that is highly eutrophic. The procedure followed includes sampling of sediment cores at different points of the lake, including reference sites, and the subsequent statistical analysis of the data, comprising descriptive statistics, probabilistic plots and modal analysis. The final proposal of background levels considers the data subset separated by the statistical analysis and the spatial and age characteristics of sediments, proving the usefulness of jointly using geological and statistical methods. The upper limits of the (25.9), Pb (25.5), Zn (88.6), Fe (2.2%) and Mn (345.7). Background levels proposed for different parts of Spain, found in an extensive literature review, are also provided in this article. Once determined the background levels, the assessment of pollution degree of sediments using pollution indexes indicates that the top 25 to 30 cm of sediments has a pollution level between moderate and severe in the peripheral sites, which are nearest to the pathways of contamination, and that the north zone of the lake is the most polluted by the group of the five metals, including Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. Graphical Abstract (for review)Highlights: We establish background levels for metals to sediments of Lake Albufera.  An integrated method of geological and statistical approaches has been used.  The depth to which sediments are contaminated is provided, the upper 30 cm. Abstract 10 The determination of background levels of trace metals in soils and sediments is a key point for the 11 proper assessment of pollution degree. This study demonstrates the suitability of integrating 12 geological and statistical methods for the reliable determination of background levels, applying it to 13 the sediments of Lake Albufera, a wetland of international importance that is highly eutrophic. The 14 procedure followed includes sampling of sediment cores at different points of the lake, including 15 reference sites, and the subsequent statistical analysis of the data, comprising descriptive statistics, 16 probabilistic plots and modal analysis. The final proposal of background levels considers the data 17 subset separated by the statistical analysis and the spatial and age characteristics of sediments, 18 proving the usefulness of jointly using geological and statistical methods. The upper limits of the 19 background populations, defined as the mean+2σ and expressed in mg/kg, are Cd (0.38), Cu (28.8), 20 Ni (25.9), Pb (25.5), Zn (88.6), Fe (2.2%) and Mn (345.7). Background levels p...

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Geochemical background - an environmental perspective

Cited by 112 publications

References 35 publications

Geochemical background of potentially toxic trace elements in reclaimed soils of the abandoned pyrite–uranium mine (south-central Poland)

Geochemical background of potentially toxic trace elements in reclaimed soils of the abandoned pyrite–uranium mine (south-central Poland)

Geochemical background of potentially toxic trace elements in soils of the historic copper mining area: a case study from Miedzianka Mt., Holy Cross Mountains, south-central Poland

Determination of background levels and pollution assessment for seven metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn) in sediments of a Mediterranean coastal lagoon

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