Geochemical background of potentially toxic trace elements in reclaimed soils of the abandoned pyrite–uranium mine (south-central Poland)

Abstract

Spatial distribution patterns of As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, U and Zn were determined in topsoil samples collected after 40 years of chemical remediation conducted in the inoperative ''Staszic'' pyrite-uranium mine in the Holy Cross Mountains, south-central Poland. Soil samples were taken from 58 sites using a systematic random sampling design. Selected samples were subjected to an X-ray diffractometry analysis on bulk soils and separated clay fractions. Hematite, goethite and gypsum are common mineral phases in soil samples. Technogenic soils developed on reclaimed mine spoils show uniform spatial element distribution patterns and additionally a distinct enrichment in As, Pb, Mn, U and Zn. Mineral and chemical composition of soils vs. rocks points to the lithogenic source of the determined elements. The results of chemical analysis have been used for evaluation of geochemical background of trace elements in the study area with the iterative 2r-technique. This investigation shows that using mean crustal element concentrations (Clarke values) as proxies of threshold values in soils are not useful for determination of strongly positive geochemical anomalies. A modified enrichment factor, i.e. a local enrichment factor, is proposed for identification of sites where soils are contaminated.

The use of a geostatistical model supported by multivariate analysis to assess the spatial distribution of mercury in soils from historical mining areas: Karczówka Mt., Miedzianka Mt., and Rudki (south-central Poland)

“…Abandoned mining areas belong to the most dangerous uncontrolled sources of pollutants (Kim and Hyun 2015). For several years, these areas have gained significant attention to scientific community (Bori et al 2016; Bosso and Enzweiler 2008; Castillo et al 2013; Gałuszka et al 2016; Sheoran et al 2010; Xu et al 2017). This is not surprising, given the fact that many of them have not been submitted to the recovery program.…”

“…Previous studies of abandoned mining areas carried out in the Holy Cross Mountains (HCM) (Gałuszka et al 2018, 2016, 2015; Migaszewski et al 2015; Uzarowicz 2011) reported high levels of some trace elements in examined soils and their high heterogeneity (Dołęgowska et al 2015). As documented by Gałuszka et al (2016, 2015), most of the elements examined (e.g., As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and U) showed higher mean contents than recommended standard values for soils in protected areas of Poland, but concurrently, they were lower than those noted in soils of industrial areas. Of the wide range of elements determined, no studies have been conducted on mercury which is regarded as a highly toxic element, and its concentrations in surface soil horizons can be a potential threat to terrestrial organisms.…”

A Revised Method of Surface Water Quality Evaluation Based on Background Values and Its Application to Samples Collected in Heilongjiang Province, China

“…Consequently, the concept of geochemical background values was proposed as a tool for evaluating environmental quality, predicting contaminant transport and transformation of the area, monitoring environmental pollution, and determining the content of chemical elements in the natural environment [1][2][3]. Geochemical background values have since been applied widely in the field of environmental evaluation to describe the differences between element concentrations derived from nature and concentration anomalies derived from human activity [4][5][6].…”

Biochars effects potentially toxic elements and antioxidant enzymes in Lactuca sativa L. grown in multi-metals contaminated soil

“…Because they are not biodegradable (Habiba et al, 2015;Bandara et al, 2017), and restrict the opportunities for future land use. Geogenic and anthropogenic activities are the major sources of PTEs particularly As, Cd, Pb, Cr and Ni globally (Pratas et al, 2013;Galuszka et al, 2016). In China, rapid economic development and industrialization in most coastal areas has led to elevated concentrations of PTEs (particularly Ni, Cr, As, Cd and Pb) in arable fields (Khan et al, 2014;Ibrahim et al, 2017).…”