Level of Contamination Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in the Urban Soils of Volos City (Central Greece)

Golia, Evangelia E.; Papadimou, Sotiria G.; Cavalaris, Chris; Tsiropoulos, Nikolaos G.

doi:10.3390/su13042029

Cited by 33 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…The assessment of soil metal contamination is done by calculating several parameters that indicate the pollution of the soil. These parameters are used to monitor soil quality and ensure future sustainability [ 23 , 24 ] by highlighting the degree of contamination and the potential ecological risk [ 25 , 26 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extraction of Metals from Polluted Soils by Bioleaching in Relation to Environmental Risk Assessment

et al. 2022

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Environmental pollution has particular implications for the whole geosystem and increases the global risk to human and ecological health. In this regard, investigations were carried out on soil samples to perform the quality status assessment by determining: pH, texture, structure and metal concentration, as well as carrying out an assessment of anthropogenic activity by determining pollution indices: Cf (contamination factor), Cd (degree of contamination), PLI (pollution load index), Er (ecological risk index) and PERI (potential ecological risk index). Analyses on soil samples showed high concentrations of metals (Cu: 113–2996 mg kg−1; Pb: 665–5466 mg kg−1; Cr: 40–187 mg kg−1; Ni: 221–1708 mg kg−1). The metal extraction experiments were carried out by bioleaching using Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, microorganisms at different amounts of bioleaching solution (20 mL and 40 mL 9K medium) and a stirring time of up to 12 h. The results on the degree of contamination, pollution loading index PLI (2.03–57.23) and potential ecological risk index PERI (165–2298) indicate that the soils in the studied area have a very high degree of pollution. The decontamination procedure by bioleaching showed a decrease, but at the end of the test (12 h), the followed indices indicate high values, suggesting that bioleaching should continue. The depollution yield after 12 h of treatment is, however, encouraging: Cu 29–76%, Pb: 10–32%, Cr: 39–72% and Ni 44–68%. The use of yield–time correlation equations allows the identification of the optimal exposure time on the bioleaching extraction process to obtain optimal results. The aim of the research is to determine the soil quality, soil environmental risk, extraction of metals from polluted soils by bioleaching and to identify influencing factors in achieving high remediation yields.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extraction of Metals from Polluted Soils by Bioleaching in Relation to Environmental Risk Assessment

et al. 2022

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“…There are several socio-economic parameters that have been destabilized, such as population proliferation and urban sprawl. The impact of urbanization and industrialization leads to high levels of HMs in urban and agricultural environments [14][15][16][17][18][19]. Pollution sources could be places with intense concentrations of commercial and entrepreneurial activity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pollution sources could be places with intense concentrations of commercial and entrepreneurial activity. For example, a maritime port, a railway station, industrial areas, and bus terminals are fields of operations with possible overaccumulation of HMs [18,20,21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urban Sustainability at Risk Due to Soil Pollution by Heavy Metals—Case Study: Volos, Greece

Aslanidis

Golia

2022

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The focus of this case study is the meticulous observation of urban soil pollution by heavy metals (HMs), or, alternatively, potentially toxic elements (PTEs). The study took place in the urban center of Volos, Greece. Moreover, 248 soil samples were collected during 2018–2021 (62 samples annually), while 3.65 km2 was, approximately, the study area. The breakdown of total concentrations took place for the interpretation of different soil parameters, also according to mean values and medians of the total concentrations of HMs, the following decreasing order was monitored: Mn > Zn > Cr > Ni > Cu > Pb > Co > Cd. During the 4-year study, an increasing trend of metal concentration was observed (for each year compared to the previous one). Furthermore, the imaginary triangle, which was observed, is bordered by the historic train station, the two city bus and intercity coach stations and the commercial harbor. Statistical analysis was implemented in order to interpret the exceedances of HMs concerning the Directive 86/278/EEC. Principal component analysis (PCA) is an additional technique that was conducted because of the correlations and interdependences between the HMs. A strong correlation was observed between the HMs, but mainly between Cd and Zn, which is probably due to their common origin. During the COVID-19 pandemic, significant changes in metal concentrations were observed in different parts of the city, due to the limited movement of motorized wheeled vehicles, but also due to the long operating hours of the heating systems in the residential area. Further research is needed in the future in order to identify the sources of pollution and to find possible ways to reduce it. All in all, urban soil pollution by HMs is a great conundrum of the environmental aspect of sustainability.

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“…In comparison with road transport, the railroads seemed for a long time to be a relatively harmless mode of transport for the environment. This resulted in the fact that most publications were related to studies on soil contamination with potentially harmful elements (PHEs) along roads and highways in many places around the world, i.e., South Korea [1,2], Nepal [3], Tibet [4], Greece [5], Poland [6] or Thailand [7]. In the last two decades, there has been a significant increase in documentation on environmental hazards Toxics 2021, 9, 296 2 of 14 and destruction associated with rail transportation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the Railroad Transport Impact on Physical and Chemical Soil Properties: The Case Study from Zduńska Wola Karsznice Railway Junction, Central Poland

Tomczyk-Wydrych

Świercz

Przepióra

2021

Toxics

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Contamination of the soil and water environment with harmful substances can be associated with many activities carried out on the railway. The problem is particularly relevant to liquid fuel loading and refueling facilities as well as to increased traffic at railway junctions. Studies were conducted in the area of railway junction Zduńska Wola Karsznice in central Poland (Łódź Voivodeship). Soil samples were collected from specific research points: from the inter-railway (A), 5 m from the main track (B), from the embankment—10 m from the main track (C), and from the side track (D), at the depth of 0–5 cm (1) and 20 cm (2). The following analyses were made: granulometric composition, pH in H2O, and percent content of carbonates (CaCO3). PHEs were determined in the fractions: 0.25 ≤ 0.5 mm, 0.1 ≤ 0.25 mm, and 0.05 ≤ 0.1 mm: Pb, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Zn, Sr by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique (ICP-MS/TOF OPTIMass 9500). The objectives of the study were (1) to assess PHEs (potentially harmful elements) contamination of the topsoil level of railway area, (2) to determine the correlation between the concentration of PHEs and the size of the fraction, and (3) to identify the areas (places) where the highest concentrations of PHEs were recorded. Based on the studied parameters, significant differentiation in soil properties of the areas in Zduńska Wola Karsznice was found. The analyses carried out showed that the accumulation of potentially harmful elements was as follows: Cu > Zn > Sr > Pb > Ni > Cr > Co > Cd. The average concentrations of Cu, Zn, Sr, Pb, Ni, Cr, Co and Cd were 216.0; 152.1; 97.8; 64.6; 15.2; 14.4; 3.1 and 0.2 mg·kg−1 d.w., respectively. These contaminations occur in the topsoil layer of the railway embankment, which suggests a railway transport origin. The highest concentrations of PHEs were recorded in samples collected from close to the rails (inter-railway, side track), and in the embankment (10 m from the track) in the very fine sand fraction (0.05 ≤ 0.1 mm). The high accumulation index of copper, cadmium and lead in the surface layer of soil indicate their anthropogenic origin. The results presented in the paper can be used in local planning and spatial development of this area, taking into account all future decisions about ensuring environmental protection, including groundwater and soils.

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Level of Contamination Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in the Urban Soils of Volos City (Central Greece)

Cited by 33 publications

References 55 publications

Extraction of Metals from Polluted Soils by Bioleaching in Relation to Environmental Risk Assessment

Extraction of Metals from Polluted Soils by Bioleaching in Relation to Environmental Risk Assessment

Urban Sustainability at Risk Due to Soil Pollution by Heavy Metals—Case Study: Volos, Greece

Assessment of the Railroad Transport Impact on Physical and Chemical Soil Properties: The Case Study from Zduńska Wola Karsznice Railway Junction, Central Poland

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