Spatial biomonitoring of airborne heavy metals emitted from a steel recycling plant

Abstract

PurposeThe study investigated the heavy metal flux around the vicinity of a steel recycling factory using passive biomonitoring technique with several pollution indices to assess the quality of the ambient environment.Design/methodology/approachThe vegetation around the facility was identified, and the most abundant species were selected for analysis. The collected samples were dried, milled, sieved and analyzed for elemental composition using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF). Pollution indices were used to quantitatively assess the data.FindingsResults show that maximum contamination occurs at the vicinity of factory. Generally, the deterioration of the ambient air around the vicinity of the steel recycling plant decreases with increasing distance from the steel recycling plant. However, for the radius considered in this study – 1 km, the ambient air at 1 km of the steel recycling facility is quickly deteriorating, and there is an urgent need for measures to mitigate the air quality impact of the steel recycling facility.Originality/valueThe study shows that the metal recycling process emits high levels of heavy metals to the environment, and there is an urgent need for personal protective equipment for the human population working in and around the close proximity of the recycling plant.

The effect of heavy metal pollution on urban ecosystem and the evaluation of different land classifications; in Bingöl city/Turkey

“…Heavy metal pollution observed in soil has become a serious problem globally in recent years. The analysis of the studies shows that the most commonly studied heavy metals are Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr and Cd (Liu et al , 2016; Phoungthonh, 2016; Hou et al ., 2014; Zhang et al , 2019; Adeleke et al , 2020). Some elements found in nature are necessary for a living life up to a certain dose (Akyıldız and Karataş, 2018).…”

“…Although most of the urban soils are not used for agricultural purposes, the pollutants it contains pose a risk for people. They can reach the human body through breathing and contact after it is turned into dust and lead to various health problems (Madrid et al , 2002; Chen et al , 2005; Xia et al , 2011; Çelebi and Gök, 2018; Adeleke et al , 2020; Yunus et al , 2020). Pollution emerging in urban lands is mainly based on the pollution pressure that is created by the population increasing as a result of urbanization.…”