The paper presents a monitoring study of the platinum group metals concentrations in 17 samples of road dust and vegetation from areas with heavy car traffic on several European and national roads in eastern Romania. The Ir, Pd, Pt, Rh, Ru concentrations were determined by the ICP-MS technique, the reported values being below the method�s limit of determination for Ir, Pt and Ru both in soil and vegetation. As regards the Pd content, it showed a maximum of 794 mg / kg dry matter in Focsani area (DN2), an area where, according to national data published by National Road Infrastructure Management Company, the traffic average is 16,000 vehicles / 24 h. Approximately 50% of the collected vegetation samples showed a Pd transfer factor from the solid part to the vegetation higher than 0.5, thus indicating the existence of Pd toxic compounds bioavailable for vegetation. The highest concentrations of Rh in soil were recorded on a high traffic section on the E85, in Ramnicu Sarat area, where the traffic interval ranges from 8,001 to 16,000 vehicles / 24 h.
Significant global consumption of mineral water is fueled by perceived therapeutic and medicinal qualities, cultural habits and taste. In Valcea County are several resorts with such mineral springs, which can have multiple benefits for human health. For this reason, it is important to investigate the level of their pollution with heavy metals. The aim of this study was to detect the level of heavy metals present in the studied mineral waters, to evaluate the analytical results using environmental statistical indices, and to compare the results with the legislation in force. Thus, mineral water samples were collected from three resorts of Valcea County (Baile Olanesti, Calimanesti-Caciulata and Baile Govora). The analyzed metals (Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined with the ICP-EOS technique and the obtained results were compared to enforce legislation. Statistical analyses were applied and two environmental statistical indices, namely the metal distribution coefficient (kd) and the total environmental risk index (IER) were evaluated. The calculated values for the total environmental risk index were below 0 (IER ≤ 0), which indicates that none of the studied water samples pose a risk for the environment. The low values of the distribution coefficient indicate a low ability to bind the metal in particles and therefore, insignificant toxicity. The distribution coefficient calculated for zinc (1.12 L/kg) and lead (0.68 L/kg) in Baile Olanesti indicates a high capacity of the metals to bind in particles, compared to other metals.
The purpose of this paper was to assess the quality of environmental factors such as soil and water in some protected areas in Romania. The chosen case studies were the Preajba-Facai lake system from Dolj County and the Vanturarita Buila National Park from Valcea County. Highlighting the evolutionary aspects of the analyzed quality parameters (20 physical-chemical indicators) on a spatial-temporal scale aiming at establishing geochemical thresholds is the final result of a larger project. The results presented in this article were obtained through seasonal monitoring involving water and soil sampling and laboratory analysis. All the results were interpreted in relation to the values in the specific environmental legislation, and following the field visits additional information was brought, which contributed to a good knowledge of these regions. The areas, although protected, are influenced by the anthropogenic factor, which has a negative impact on the environment. In some cases, non-compliances were identified and validated by the analysis performed.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of groundwater in an area with agricultural and industrial influences, located in Valcea County. Groundwater samples were collected in 2 campaigns from 14 public wells and were analyzed for pH, conductivity (EC), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nitrites (NO2-), nitrates (NO3+), ammonium (NH4+) and chlorides (Cl-). In most of the studied public wells, the laboratory results obtained for the physical-chemical parameters were within the limits imposed by the national legislation and those approved by the WHO. High levels of iron and manganese of natural origin were found at a public well located in a rural area and also chlorides at a well from an industrial area that exceeds the limits imposed.
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