HEAVY METALS IN CULTIVATED SOIL AND PLANTS OF DAMOUR URBAN AREA - LEBANON

Παρουσιάζονται για πρώτη φορά δεδομένα συγκεντρώσεων βαρέων μετάλλων στο έδαφος και καλλιέργειες της περιοχής Νταμούρ Λιβάνου. Μετρήθηκαν οι ψευδοολικές και κινητοποιήσιμες συγκεντρώσεις των Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Co, Mn, Fe, Ba, Pb και Cd σε δείγματα εδαφών καθώς και οι αντίστοιχες ολικές συγκεντρώσεις των ίδιων στοιχείων σε φυτικούς ιστούς λαχανικών που καλλιεργούνται στην περιοχή Δεν ανιχνεύθηκαν συγκεντρώσεις των μη απαραίτητων στοιχείων Pb και Asενώ αυτές των υπόλοιπων στοιχείων που μελετήθηκαν βρίσκονται εντός των φυσιολογικών ορίων. Οι συγκεντρώσεις στο έδαφος φαίνεται να επηρεάζονται από την προηγούμενη χρήση γης και αυτές στα φυτά φαίνεται να ρυθμίζονται μέσω της λειτουργίας σύνθετων μεταβολικών μηχανισμών.Preliminary data on heavy metals concentrations in soil and edible plants of DamourLebanon are presented for the first time. Concentration ranges of Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Co, Mn, Fe, Ba, Pb and Cd in soils and vegetables collected from urban allotments in Damour were determined and assessed taking into account the pseudototal (extracted by aqua regia) and mobilizable (0.43 M acetic acid extractable) concentrations of the elements in the rhizosphere soil of the plants as well as the total concentrations in edible plant tissue. Average elemental concentrations in urban allotments are low in general. No detectable concentrations of the non-essential heavy metals Pb and As were measured in the studied plants while concentrations of micronutrient elements in plants were within normal ranges. The collected data indicate that previous land use is an important factor controlling heavy metal content in soil and that there is a complex mechanism controlling micronutrient uptake by plants

Geochemical mapping of urban soils in Athens, Greece - Preliminary results

Η αστική γεωχημεία είναι ένας αναπτυσσόμενος επιστημονικός τομέας κυρίως λόγω των περιβαλλοντικών επιπτώσεων από την εξάπλωση των πόλεων και την αύξηση του αστικού πληθυσμού. Η παρούσα εργασία έχει ως στόχο τη γεωχημική χαρτογράφηση των επιφανειακών (0-10 cm) εδαφών της Αθήνας με έμφαση στη χωρική κατανομή δυνητικά βλαβερών χημικών στοιχείων. Η δειγματοληψία υπαίθρου πραγματοποιήθηκε βάσει τετραγωνικού κανάβου ισοδιάστασης 1 km και κάλυψε συνολική έκταση περίπου 200 km2, με προτεραιότητα σε παιδικές χαρές, σχολεία και πάρκα. Αναλύθηκαν320 εδαφικά δείγματα κοκκομετρίας < 100 μm με την τεχνική της φασματοσκοπίας ατομικής απορρόφησης μετά από διαλυτοποίηση με βασιλικό ύδωρ και προσδιορί- στηκαν τα στοιχεία Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Co και Mn. Οι μέσες συγκεντρώσεις των στοιχείων Pb (62 mg/kg), Cu (36 mg/kg), Zn (91 mg/kg) και Mn (465 mg/kg) είναι χαμηλότερες των αντίστοιχων συγκεντρώσεων άλλων Ευρωπαϊκών πόλεων ενώ οι συγκεντρώσεις των Cr (74 mg/kg), Ni (89 mg/kg) και Co (16 mg/kg) υψηλότερες. Το γεωχημικό ανάγλυφο αποτυπώθηκε σε περιβάλλον ΓΣΠ δίνοντας τη δυνατότητα προσδιορισμού διαφορετικών πηγών των στοιχείων. Τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας συμβάλουν στην εκτίμηση της ποιότητας των εδαφών της Αθήνας και αποτελούν πολύτιμο εργαλείο στην αναγνώριση περιοχών περιβαλλοντικής επικινδυνότητας.Urban geochemistry is a fast growing scientific discipline mainly because of the profound impact of large cities on the environment as well as the increase in the world’s urban population. The present study aims to produce the urban geochemical map of Athens, based on multi-element analysis of surface soils (0-10 cm) with emphasis in the spatial distribution of potentially harmful elements (PHEs). Soil sampling was based on a regular 1km x 1km grid, laid over the survey area covering more than 200 km2. Sampling locations within the grid cells were selected giving priority to playgrounds, schools and urban parks. The < 100 μm fraction of a total of 320 soil samples were analysed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy for Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Co and Mn after aqua regia dissolution. Average content of Pb (62 mg/kg), Cu (36 mg/kg), Zn (91 mg/kg) and Mn (465 mg/kg) in soil was lower than reported concentrations from other European cities while Cr (74 mg/kg), Ni (89 mg/kg) and Co (16 mg/kg) were relatively enriched. Geochemical maps were plotted within GIS enabling recognition of spatial trends in elemental concentrations and potential sources of the elements. The research outcome will contribute to the evaluation of quality characteristics of urban soils in Athens and drive attention to areas of any environmental or health risks

HEAVY METALS IN URBAN PARK SOILS FROM ATHENS, GREECE

Η αστική γεωχημεία είναιένας επιστημονικός κλάδος ο οποίος αναπτύσσεταιτα τελευταία χρόνια κυρίως λόγω των περιβαλλοντικών επιπτώσεων που προκύπτουν από την αστικοποίηση. Η παρούσα εργασία έχει ως στόχο τον προσδιορισμό των συγκεντρώσεων δυνητικά επιβλαβών στοιχείων (PHEs) των επιφανειακών (0-10 cm) εδαφών προερχόμενων από αλσύλια της Αθήνας. Η δειγματοληψία υπαίθρου πραγματοποιήθηκε σε 20 αλσύλια της Αττικής και κάλυψε συνολική έκταση περίπου 200km2 . Αναλύθηκαν 20 εδαφικά δείγματα κοκκομετρίας Mn >Ni≈ Cu≈ Zn> Cr. Τα δεδομένα της έρευνας υποδεικνύουν ότι το έδαφος των αλσυλίων μπορεί να είναι ένας σημαντικός ταμιευτήρας των ανθρωπογενών στοιχείων στο αστικό έδαφοςUrban geochemistry is a scientific discipline which is growing in the recent years mainly because of the environmental impact caused by urbanization. The present study aims to determine the concentrations of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) on surface soils (0-10cm) in Athens parks. Soil sampling was carried out in public park areas within the Athens urban area. Twenty surface soil (0-10cm) samples were collected and the Mn >Ni≈ Cu≈ Zn> Cr. The data indicate that park areas seem to be important sinks of anthropogenic elements in urban soils

Investigating the sources and potential health risks of environmental contaminants in the soils and drinking waters from the rural clusters in Thiva area (Greece)

The present study investigates the possible influence of human activities on metal loadings of topsoil in a typical small rural city in central Greece and the chemical quality of tap water in surrounding villages. Furthermore, the study aimed to examine potential health risks of naturally enriched heavy metals to exposed population taking into account the soil and drinking water as exposure pathways. The mean concentrations of Ni, Cr, Co, Mn, Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd in the soil were 1777, 285, 99, 946, 30, 26, 78 and 0.67. mg/kg respectively. Combination of pollution indexes based on local reference background soils and statistical analyses (correlation analysis, cluster analysis and principal component analysis) revealed that anthropogenic activities have not modified the natural soil chemistry at least in a large scale. High Hazard Quotient (HQ) values for children were estimated for Ni, Cr and Co based on total metal concentrations for the soil ingestion route (9.26E-01, 9.75E-01 and 3.45E+00 respectively). However, evaluation of HQs based on published bioaccessible concentrations suggested that the population groups would not likely experience potential health risks as a result of exposure to contaminated soils. Concentrations of Cr(VI) in tap waters were within the allowable limits. However, the risk assessment model revealed that local residents (adults) of Eleonas and Neochori villages are at some carcinogenic risks considering lifetime ingestion of water (potential cancer risks 2.05E-04 and 1.29E-04 respectively). Despite the uncertainties accompanying these procedures and the great deal of debate regarding the human carcinogenicity of Cr(VI) by the oral route, results of this study drive attention to remediation measures that should include epidemiological studies for the local population. © 2013 Elsevier Inc

Heavy metals baseline concentrations in soft tissues of patella sp. from the stratoni coastal environment, ne greece

Species of the limpet Patella sp. were collected from a typical control coastal site (Artemida) and a metal contaminated marine environment (Stratoni), situated in Greece. The soft tissues were analyzed for their heavy metal (Pb, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni, Cr) content by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. High Pb, Zn and Cu concentrations were determined in limpet samples from Stratoni, which can be attributed to geological-mineralogical factors due to the natural heavy metal elevated substrate of the broader mineralized area. In contrast, concentrations of Mn, Ni and Cr in both areas are comparable to those reported for other non-polluted geographical regions of the Mediterranean area. Considering the refurbishment of the Stratoni port that will accompany the new large scale mining operations, these results provide a preliminary baseline metal level in these organisms, by which future local changes could be assessed. It is suggested that the species of Pattella sp. are appropriate to be used for biomonitoring research and should be included in routine monitoring programs regarding the Stratoni marine ecosystem. Further studies of metal levels in limpets of Patella sp. from the Stratoni area including the investigation of the possible effects of seasonal changes on metal concentrations and distribution are required

Accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils of Mediterranean: Insights from Argolida basin, Peloponnese, Greece

Excessive application of chemical products for promoting crop growth is a significant contributor for elevated concentrations of heavy metals in agricultural soils potentially threatening human health through the food chain. In this study, a series of heavy metals were quantified in 132 agricultural soils of Argolida basin, Peloponnese, Greece, with the aim to characterize their accumulation patterns. Median concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, As, Cd, Cr and Fe were 65.23, 20.1, 72.75, 120.3, 20.6, 956.5, 7.1, 0.45, 72.3 and 27,100. mg/kg respectively. Statistically significant differences for Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd content were found between agricultural and background soils in the same region. Implementation of principal component analysis and cluster analysis successfully grouped the investigated chemical elements according to their anthropogenic or natural origin. The prolonged application of large amounts of fertilizers and pesticides-fungicides has resulted to Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and As accumulation in the agricultural fields whereas Ni, Cr, Co and Fe amounts are controlled by parent material influences. Contrary to results commonly reported in the literature that characterize Mn as a geogenic element, this metal was found to exhibit a mixed source in the study agricultural system. Geographical information system techniques were used to illustrate the spatial distribution trends of the investigated elements confirming the clear contribution of agrochemicals to soil chemistry and highlighting the citrus soils around Argos town to have received large anthropogenic inputs. The agricultural area represented by olive groves does not demonstrate significant anthropogenic soil metal enrichment indicating that accumulation phenomena are restricted to the soils cultivated for oranges and mandarins. This study is the first detailed report on metal accumulation in citrus soils from Argolida basin, and results promote the care for the environment by reducing application rates of fertilizers and pesticides-fungicides and monitoring heavy metals levels in receiving soils. Future studies should pay attention to characterize the fractionation and reactivity of metals in citrus soils by utilizing selective chemical extractions with the aim to assess the actual risks for the environment. © 2014 Elsevier B.V

Availability of geogenic heavy metals in soils of Thiva town (central Greece)

Potentially toxic metals in the urban chemical environment impose risks to both ecosystem and human health. Here, we evaluate the labile pools and availabilities of non-anthropogenic Ni, Cr, Co and Mn in soil samples from Thiva town (central Greece) and investigate their associations with common soil properties and geochemical data obtained by the aqua regia and single selective dissolutions. Experimental work included the initial application of the sequential extraction protocol proposed by the European Community Bureau of Reference and chemical extractions with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid solution and a modified physiologically based extraction test with the aim to obtain the operationally defined fractions of plant availability and human bioaccessibility, respectively. The leachate results demonstrated that despite the significant contribution of residual metal species especially for Ni and Cr, the studied serpentine soils provide chemically labile pools for all the considered elements. Nickel was found to be the most available metal with the order being Ni &gt; Cr ∼ Co ∼ Mn for plant uptake and Ni &gt; Cr &gt; Co ∼ Mn for human bioaccessibility. The aqua regia extractable concentrations are not predictors of elemental availabilities except for Ni bioaccessible data interpreting however only a moderate percentage of the total variance. The incorporation of basic soil properties (mostly total organic carbon), geochemical data for the major elements Ca, Mg and Fe and ammonium oxalate extractable Cr significantly improved the estimations for individual elements entailing the strong influence of the chemistry and mineralogy of soil materials to the release of focus metals from the soil matrix. This study provides for the first time bioaccessible data for serpentine-derived soils that are more realistic for evaluating potential adverse effects on the human health. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

Urban soil geochemistry in Athens, Greece: The importance of local geology in controlling the distribution of potentially harmful trace elements

Understanding urban soil geochemistry is a challenging task because of the complicated layering of the urban landscape and the profound impact of large cities on the chemical dispersion of harmful trace elements. A systematic geochemical soil survey was performed across Greater Athens and Piraeus, Greece. Surface soil samples (0-10cm) were collected from 238 sampling sites on a regular 1×1km grid and were digested by a HNO3-HCl-HClO4-HF mixture. A combination of multivariate statistics and Geographical Information System approaches was applied for discriminating natural from anthropogenic sources using 4 major elements, 9 trace metals, and 2 metalloids. Based on these analyses the lack of heavy industry in Athens was demonstrated by the influence of geology on the local soil chemistry with this accounting for 49% of the variability in the major elements, as well as Cr, Ni, Co, and possibly As (median values of 102, 141, 16 and 24mgkg-1 respectively). The contribution to soil chemistry of classical urban contaminants including Pb, Cu, Zn, Sn, Sb, and Cd (medians of 45, 39, 98, 3.6, 1.7 and 0.3mgkg-1 respectively) was also observed; significant correlations were identified between concentrations and urbanization indicators, including vehicular traffic, urban land use, population density, and timing of urbanization. Analysis of soil heterogeneity and spatial variability of soil composition in the Greater Athens and Piraeus area provided a representation of the extent of anthropogenic modifications on natural element loadings. The concentrations of Ni, Cr, and As were relatively high compared to those in other cities around the world, and further investigation should characterize and evaluate their geochemical reactivity. © 2014 Elsevier B.V