Trace element concentrations in soils along urbanization gradients in the city of Wien, Austria

Abstract

Urban soil is an important component of urban ecosystems. This study focuses on heavy metal contamination in soils of Wien (Austria) and results are compared to those for a few large European cities. We analysed the elemental contents of 96 samples of topsoil from urban, suburban and rural areas in Wien along a dynamic (floodplain forest) and a stable (oak-hornbeam forest) urbanization gradient. The following elements were quantified using ICP-OES technique: Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Pb, P, S and Zn. For heavy metals PI (pollution index) values were used to assess the level of pollution. The PI values indicated high level of pollution by Pb in the suburban and rural area of stable gradient and in the urban area of dynamic gradient; moderate level of pollution was indicated for Cd in the urban area of stable gradient. The level of pollution was moderate for Co in the suburban and rural area of the stable gradient, and for Cu in suburban area of stable gradient, and urban area of dynamic gradient. The pollution level of Zn was moderate in all areas. Urban soils, especially in urban parks and green areas may have a direct influence on human health. Thus, the elemental analysis of soil samples is one of the best ways to study the effects of urbanization. Our results indicated that the heavy metal contamination was higher in Wien than in a few large European cities.

Distribution of toxic elements between biotic and abiotic components of terrestrial ecosystem along an urbanization gradient: Soil, leaf litter and ground beetles

“…After drying, stones, plant roots and residues were removed with plastic tweezers. Samples were sieved in 2 mm plastic sieve, homogenized with agate mortar and stored in plastic tubes until pre-treatment (Simon et al, 2013).…”

“…For the elemental analysis 0.2 g of soil samples were digested using 4.5 mL 65% (m/m) nitric acid and 0.5 mL 30% (m/m) hydrogen-peroxide in a microwave digestion unit (Milestone 1200 Mega) for 5 min at 300 W and for 5 min at 600 W, respectively. Digested samples were diluted to 25 mL with deionised water (Simon et al, 2013).…”

Assessment of Some Heavy Metals Pollution and Bioavailability in Roadside Soil of Alexandria-Marsa Matruh Highway, Egypt

“…Vehicle exhaust is considered as first line source of heavy metal pollutants [8]. Simon et al [9] point to the role of traffic emissions in the pollution of Wien soil by Cu, Pb, and Zn. Increasing levels of soil contamination with heavy metals may be transformed and transported to plant [10] and from plants they pass on to animals and human being [10].…”

Chemical composition of the leaves of Reynoutria japonica Houtt. and soil features in polluted areas

“…This includes having an impact on the biogeochemical cycles of N and other elements [5][6][7][8], on the quantity and quality of soil organic matter [9], and on soil pH [10]. Changes to the chemical properties of soil due to the influence of vegetation have been observed in many different ecosystems [5,[11][12][13][14][15], and recently special attention has been focused on the role of alien species in soil nutrient enrichment [16,17].…”