18 research outputs found

    Variability in concentrations of potentially toxic elements in urban parks from six European cities

    Get PDF
    Use of a harmonised sampling regime has allowed comparison of concentrations of copper, chromium, nickel, lead and zinc in six urban parks located in different European cities differing markedly in their climate and industrial history. Wide concentrations ranges were found for copper, lead and zinc at most sites, but for chromium and nickel a wide range was only seen in the Italian park, where levels were also considerably greater than in other soils. As might be expected, the soils from older cities with a legacy of heavy manufacturing industry (Glasgow, Torino) were richest in potentially toxic elements (PTEs); soils from Ljubljana, Sevilla and Uppsala had intermediate metal contents, and soils from the most recently established park, in the least industrialised city (Aveiro), displayed lowest concentrations. When principal component analysis was applied to the data, associations were revealed between pH and organic carbon content; and between all five PTEs. When pH and organic carbon content were excluded from the PCA, a distinction became clear between copper, lead and zinc (the "urban" metals) on the one hand, and chromium and nickel on the other. Similar results were obtained for the surface (0-10 cm depth) and sub-surface (10-20 cm depth) samples. Comparisons with target or limit concentrations were limited by the existence of different legislation in different countries and the fact that few guidelines deal specifically with public-access urban soils intended for recreational use

    Physiochemical properties of soils at Risdalsheia and Sogndal: RAIN project

    No full text
    The RAIN project investigates the interactions between acid deposition, vegetation, soil and water. This report presents physical and chemical properties of soil samples collected in the fall of 1982. These are background data before the artificial acidification at Sogndal and the exclusion of acid rain at Risdalsheia started. The Risdalsheia soils are strongly acid with ph (H2O) values ranging from 3.7 to 4.7. The Sogndal soils are weakly acid with ph (H2O) values varying between 4.2 and 5.8. The base saturation is lower and the aluminum saturation higher at Risdalsheia than at Sogndal. The Al-PH relationship is also different in the two soils. The concentration of wates-soluble SO4- S is higher and the concentration of of adsorbed SO4-S lower at Risdalsheia than at Sogndal.NIVA i samarbeid med NIL

    Impact of long-term inorganic phosphorus fertilization on accumulation, sorption and release of phosphorus in five Swedish soil profiles

    No full text

    Phosphorus sorption in relation to soil properties in some cultivated Swedish soils.

    No full text

    The variability of polychlorinated biphenyls levels in urban soils from five European cities

    No full text
    The concentration of PCBs in topsoils from five European cities was assessed and the highest levels were found in Glasgow (Scotland), followed by Torino (Italy), Aveiro (Portugal), Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Uppsala (Sweden). All cities showed the presence of local sources in addition to diffuse contamination from global atmospheric transport. The association of general soil parameters with PCBs in Glasgow and with heavier congeners in Torino and Ljubljana indicates that retention of these compounds is occurring. The profiles obtained resemble Aroclor 1254 and 1260, which are important local sources. Nevertheless, differences in PCB profiles were observed among cities, due to the combined effects of the age of the contamination (which determines the time available for volatilisation and degradation), different sources of PCBs and differences in climate (which influence volatilisation and deposition). The distribution of PCBs in topsoils from five European cities was studied and differences were observed in terms of total concentration and congener profiles
    corecore