Tracing potential soil contamination in the historical Solvay soda ash plant area, Jaworzno, Southern Poland

This study of soil conditions was carried out on 30 meadow soil (podzol) samples from the vicinity of the soda ash heap in Jaworzno, supplemented by analyses of 18 samples of waste deposited on the heap. In all samples, the total content of macroelements (Ca and Na) and heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn) as well as pH were analysed. The element concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The materials examined were neutral to ultra-alkaline. Total accumulations (mg kg(−1)) of chemical elements in the soil vary from 130.24 to 14076.67 for Ca, 41.40–926.23 for Na, 0.03–3.34 for Cd, 0.94–103.62 for Cr, 0.94–35.89 for Ni, 3.51–76.47 for Pb and 12.05–279.13 for Zn, whereas quantities of the same elements in the waste samples vary from 171705.13 to 360487.94 for Ca, 517.64–3152.82 for Na, 0.2–9.89 for Cd, 1.16–20.40 for Cr, 1.08–9.79 for Ni, 0.1–146.05 for Pb and 10.26–552.35 for Zn. The vertical distribution of the metals was determined in each soil profile. Despite enrichment of heavy metals in the uppermost horizon on the top of the heap, the results lead to the conclusion that the relation of historical production of soda ash in Jaworzno to current contamination of the local soil environment is insignificant

Mercury in topsoil of urban areas of Poland

The enrichment of urban soils in mercury in relation to regional geochemical background was evaluated in towns throughout the whole territory of Poland. Soil samples were collected from a depth of 0.0–0.2 m within administrative boundaries of 334 towns of various sizes. Sampling density ranged from 1 sample/5–6 km2 to 1 sample/0.06 km2 and the weight of each sample was about 1000 g. Mercury content was measured using a cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS) method. Mercury enrichment in topsoil in selected towns of Poland is presented in the form of geochemical dot map, differentiating the mercury enrichment value by the dot size. The geochemical background and extent and intensity of anomalies in non built-up areas are presented in the form of contour map. Detailed maps of mercury distribution in topsoils were additionally compiled for some towns. The study shows that the mercury content vary within wide limits, depending on both chemistry of parent rocks and intensity of urbanization and industrial and transportation activity. Generally, the mercury content in urban soils is two to four times higher than in open space around the towns. The highest mercury concentration (712 mg/kg) was found in soils in Poznań. Anomalies were also recorded in soils in Jaworzno (36.15 mg/kg), Wrocław (6.60 mg/kg), Łódź (5.82 mg/kg), Gdańsk (5.50 mg/kg) and Legnica (5.13 mg/kg). Significant mercury concentrations are observed in soils of the Upper Silesian agglomeration, in Bytom, Chorzów, Katowice, Siemianowice, Świętochłowice, Ruda Śląska and Zabrze

Geochemical Mapping in Poland

At the beginning of the 1990s, both in Poland and in the world, the field of applied geochemistry was extended to issues related to the protection of the Earth’s natural environment due to the growing social interest in this problem and the requirements of the existing legislation. Geochemical studies in Poland were carried out in three stages, proceeding from the review scale (1:500,000 -1 stage) through regional research (on a scale from 1:250,000to 1:50,000 -stage II) to detailed research (on a scale of1:25,000 to 1:10,000 -stage III). The first stage of the geochemical mapping allowed for quick and relatively inexpensive assessment of the geochemical background diversity of soils, sediments, and surface water throughout the country, as well as the indication of the most polluted regions. The regional research (II stage) was focused primarily on issues related to the explanation of the origin of the identified geochemical anomalies detected in the first stage of research. They were taken in selected urban-industrial areas. In the most polluted Silesian-Cracow region a detailed geochemical study is being carried out (III stage)

Soil contamination induced by historical zinc-lead ore mining and iron and zinc smelting in the central part of the Upper Silesian Industrial Region (southern Poland)

Celem pracy było określenie stopnia kumulacji metali ciężkich, arsenu i siarki w glebach centralnej części Górnośląskiego Okręgu Przemysłowego. Przemysł ciężki, eksploatacja rud metali i węgla kamiennego, hutnictwo żelaza i metali nieżelaznych oraz odprowadzanie ścieków przemysłowych i komunalnych są przyczyną silnej degradacji środowiska przyrodniczego tego obszaru. Zbadano zawartość 21 pierwiastków: Ag, Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sr, Ti, V i Zn, a zanieczyszczenie gleb oceniono na podstawie wartości wskaźników zanieczyszczenia, wskaźników wzbogacenia i wskaźników geoakumulacji. Testy te wykazały podwyższoną zawartość metali, arsenu i siarki, znacznie przekraczającą poziomy regionalnego tła geochemicznego. Analiza czynnikowa umożliwiła połączenie pierwiastków chemicznych w grupy, prawdopodobnie pochodzące z tych samych źródeł litologicznych lub/i antropogenicznych.The purpose of the work was to determine the degree of accumulation of heavy metals, arsenic and sulphur in the soils of the central part of the Upper Silesian Industrial Region. Heavy industry, mining of metal ores and hard coal, iron and non-ferrous metallurgy as well as the discharge of industrial and municipal sewage caused a strong degradation of the natural environment of this area. The content of twenty one elements (Ag, Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sr, Ti, V i Zn) have been assayed in the soils of central part Upper Silesian Industrial Region. The contamination of the soils was assessed on the basis of contamination factors, enrichment factors and geoaccumulation indexes. The tests revealed elevated content of metals, arsenic and sulphur exceeding the levels of the regional geochemical background. Factor analysis made it possible to combine chemical elements into groups, probably derived from the same lithological or/and anthropogenic sources

Molybdenum and tin in soils of Poland

Badania miały na celu ocenę zawartości molibdenu i cyny w powierzchniowej warstwie gleb Polski użytkowanych rolniczo. Pierwiastki te mogą być wykorzystane jako wskaźniki zanieczyszczenia środowiska, szczególnie na obszarach pozbawionych mineralizacji. Do celów przeglądowego zdjęcia geochemicznego pobrano gleby z głębokości 0,0–0,2 m z gęstością 1 próbka/2500 km2. Zawartość Mo i Sn oznaczono metodą ICP-AES po roztworzeniu próbek w wodzie królewskiej. Wyniki analiz wykazały zawartość molibdenu w granicach 0,05–1,71 mg/kg, a cyny 0,1–2,6 mg/kg. Przestrzenny rozkład tych pierwiastków w glebach wskazuje, że głównym czynnikiem decydującym o ich zawartości jest skład chemiczny skał macierzystych.The geochemical research has been conducted to evaluate molybdenum and tin content in topsoil of Poland, because these elements can be used as environmental pollution indicators, especially in areas without mineralization. Topsoil (0.0–0.2 m) samples were collected at a low sampling density (1 sample per 2,500 km2). The Mo and Sn contents, determined using the ICP-AES method, following aqua regia digestion, were 0.05–1.71 mg/kg and 0.1–2.6 mg/kg, respectively. The spatial distribution of these elements indicates that the principal factor determining their contents in topsoil is the chemical composition of parent rocks

Geochemical record of environmental pollution of the Zn-Pb ore historic mine site around Nowa Góra near Krzeszowice (southern Poland)

Obszar badań jest zlokalizowany w północno-zachodniej części województwa małopolskiego. Szczegółowe badania geochemiczne podjęto z uwagi na występowanie na tym terenie anomalii geochemicznych zespołu pierwiastków Pb-Zn-Cd, silnie zaznaczających się w środowiskach powierzchniowych Ziemi – glebach i osadach strumieniowych. Opracowanie prezentuje wybrane wyniki badań szczegółowego zdjęcia geochemicznego w skali 1:25 000 na arkuszu Nowa Góra, gdzie rudy cynkowo-ołowiowe były najbardziej intensywnie eksploatowane w latach 1800–1912. Gleby pobierano z głębokości 0,0–0,3 m z gęstością 16 próbek/km2. Odległość między miejscami pobierania próbek na ciekach wynosiła 250 m. Zawartość Ag, Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sr, Ti, V i Zn oznaczano metodą ICP-AES, a Hg – metodą CV-AAS po roztworzeniu próbek w wodzie królewskiej. W próbkach gleb oznaczono też pH i ich skład granulometryczny. Wyniki badań geochemicznych wykazały intensywne zanieczyszczenie gleb i osadów przez As, Cd, Hg, Pb i Zn w obszarach historycznego wydobycia i przeróbki rud Zn-Pb oraz na wychodniach triasowych dolomitów kruszconośnych.The surveyed area is located in the northwestern part of Małopolska Voivodship. Detailed, multi-media geochemical research has been conducted due to distinct geochemical anomalies of Pb–Zn–Cd in soils and stream sediments in this region. The report presents some research results of detailed geochemical mapping at scale 1:25 000 on the Nowa Góra map sheet. Lead and zinc ores were extensively exploited in this area from 1800 to 1912. The topsoil (0.0–0.3 m) was sampled at a sampling density of 16 sites per km2. The distance between watercourse sampling sites was about 250 m. Concentration of Ag, Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sr, Ti, V and Zn was determined by the ICP-AES method, and of Hg – by the CV-AAS method, following a hot aqua regia digestion. In addition, grain size distribution and pH were determined in topsoil samples. Geochemical studies have indicated that the topsoil and stream sediments are extremely contaminated with As, Cd, Hg, Pb, Zn in the vicinity of historical Zn-Pb mines and processing facilities as well as in areas where the soils are developed on outcrops of Middle Triassic Zn–Pb ore-bearing dolomites