Environmental Impact Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Soils Near the Runway at the International Airport in Central Europe

Abstract

The environmental impacts of air transport and air transportation systems have become increasingly important and are heavily debated. The aim of the study was to determine the degree of soil contamination by the potentially toxic elements (Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the vicinity of the airport runway and to evaluate whether airport traffic has had factual toxic effects on airport vegetation. The overall assessment of soil contamination by means of the Nemerow integrated pollution index indicated slight pollution; evaluation by the geoaccumulation index evinced moderate contamination by Zn and nonexistent to moderate contamination by Cu, Ni, and Pb. A significant difference between the take-off and landing sections of the runway was not statistically confirmed. The vegetation risk assessment by means of the potential ecological risk index (RI) showed the low ecological risk, while the phytotoxicity test revealed an inhibition of up to 33.7%, with a slight inhibition of 16.7% on average, and thus low toxic effects of airport traffic on airport vegetation. The results of the linear regression model between phytotoxicity and RI manifested no relation between the two. The outcomes from other studies suggest that the range of elements and the extent of contamination can be highly variable at different airports and frequently affected by car traffic. Therefore, further research on this issue is needed for the more precise determination of the elements emitted by air traffic at airports.

Spatial Distribution, Risk Assessment and Sources of Heavy Metals in Roadside Soils Exposed to the Zhengzhou-Kaifeng Intercity Railway in Huanghuai Plain, China

“…However, rail transport has beyond any doubt resulted into potential environmental contamination due to the enrichment of harmful organic and inorganic substances such as heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) 16,19,21 . These pollutants are associated with road surface abrasion, liquid fuel combustion, and particulate emissions, and are ultimately transported into roadside soil and vegetation through atmospheric deposition 17,19,22 . Up to now, several studies have focused on the environmental pollution of heavy metals in soils surrounding railways [17][18][19][23][24][25][26] .…”

Investigation of the influence of hyperthermia and soil pollution with the petrochemicals on test objects using the method of mathematical planning

“…But, at the same time, the development of this industry creates stress for all components of the environment [3,4]. It is known that the main problems of the negative impact of the aviation industry on the environment are air, water, and soil pollution due to emissions of harmful substances and other impacts [5,6].…”

Innovative Business Model for the Management of Airports in Purpose to Identify Runway Damage in Time

“…Not renovated damages can cause the aircraft to slip from the runway, the ultra-light aircraft to overturn on the runway, the cargo to be shattered and the fuel to be spilt. Where the cracks appear, the insert of polluted particles in the underground layers is that much bigger [23]. The consequences can be catastrophic for people, nature, and other life cycles.…”