Biomonitoring of the Urban Environment of Kielce and Olsztyn (Poland) Based on Studies of Total and Bioavailable Lead Content in Soils and Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale agg.)

Abstract

Kielce and Olsztyn are two different urban ecosystems. They differ from each other in terms of geological and climatic conditions, as well as spatial development and industrial past. The aim of this article is to assess and compare the degree of lead contamination of the natural environment in both cities based on the conducted tests of soils, as well as a common dandelion’s roots and leaves. For this study’s purpose, 60 samples of soils and common dandelion’s roots and leaves were collected in each city, according to four land-use types, namely industrial areas, urban green areas, urban allotment gardens, and urban forests. Basic physico-chemical properties and concentrations of lead, i.e., total content and bioavailable content were determined in the soils, using speciation analysis. Lead concentrations in the roots and leaves of common dandelion were, in turn, determined using the ICP-OES method. By using kriging models, spots with excessive lead concentrations differing from the geochemical background were identified in each city. The number of spots was comparable for both cities; however, the values for this metal differed significantly. No relationship has been found between land-use types and concentrations of lead in soils and common dandelions. The results of the study, as well as statistical and spatial analyses show that this species may be recommended as an indicator for biomonitoring of urban environments.

Availability of Trace Elements in Soil with Simulated Cadmium, Lead and Zinc Pollution

“…In turn, lead has low mobility in the environment and becomes immobilized at an alkaline pH [6]. However, the increase in the content of mobile Pb forms in soil may be enhanced by anthropogenic factors [17]. According to Lamb et al [35], the bioavailability of Pb is relatively high in soils contaminated with Pb.…”

“…The mobility of trace elements in soil is controlled by numerous biochemical and chemical processes, and the strength of mutual relationships depends on a given metal [15,16]. Under natural conditions, lead is one of the least mobile elements in the soil [17]. The soil content of available trace metals depends on different factors, including soil reaction [8,[18][19][20][21][22][23], organic matter content [19,20,23,24], soil sorption complex capacity and cation exchange capacity [12,18,19,25], soil salinity [19], grain-size composition [26,27], content of carbonates [20] content of organic carbon and total nitrogen [25], iron and manganese compounds [17,28,29], the occurrence and activity of soil microorganisms [30], or the content of sulphate and phosphate [31,32] or aluminium compounds in the soil [33].…”

“…Under natural conditions, lead is one of the least mobile elements in the soil [17]. The soil content of available trace metals depends on different factors, including soil reaction [8,[18][19][20][21][22][23], organic matter content [19,20,23,24], soil sorption complex capacity and cation exchange capacity [12,18,19,25], soil salinity [19], grain-size composition [26,27], content of carbonates [20] content of organic carbon and total nitrogen [25], iron and manganese compounds [17,28,29], the occurrence and activity of soil microorganisms [30], or the content of sulphate and phosphate [31,32] or aluminium compounds in the soil [33]. In addition, the content of available trace metals in the soil may be affected by fertilisation [13,31] or the application of mineral [32] and organic substances to soil [7,32].…”

Assessment of the Railroad Transport Impact on Physical and Chemical Soil Properties: The Case Study from Zduńska Wola Karsznice Railway Junction, Central Poland

“…Metals getting into soil may undergo various transformations, ranging from deposition in the form of insoluble compounds with a relatively low impact on plants and microorganisms, to occurrence in a very active ionized form. They may also form chelate connections with humic substances, which provide protection against the toxic effects of a metal ion [38,39]. Liu et al [40] argue that high organic matter content may contribute to PHEs retention in the immediate vicinity of railroad areas.…”

“…Strong acidification of soils may contribute to the release of PHEs bound with minerals, as well as with oxides, e.g., Mn, Fe, and Al. The most mobile is Cd, while the least soluble are Pb, Cr and Hg [38]. Other metals, i.e., Zn or Cu, show increased solubility also at alkaline pH.…”