Urban soil contamination with lead and cadmium in the playgrounds located near busy streets in Cracow (South Poland)

Abstract

Abstract:The pollution of urban soil with heavy metals caused by traffic activity is increasingly becoming a great threat to human health and environmental quality. This paper presents results of research of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) distribution in land on playgrounds situated near busy streets in Cracow (Poland). Samples of sand and soil were collected from the most top layer (0-10 cm). Concentrations of examined metals are: Pb from 6.80 to 54.04 mg/kg and Cd from 1.60 to 2.61 mg/kg, respectively. The highest concentrations were found in sampling points near the busiest roads, and are particularly visible in the case of lead concentration in soil samples. For sand samples, metal concentrations are much lower. Although the results have not determined a high degree of soil's contamination, they indicate the problem of the children's exposure to toxic metals. Urban soil should be monitored particularly in such special places as playgrounds.

Comparative analysis of Helix pomatia L. shells found in soils with varying degrees of contamination (southern Poland)

“…This is because they can accumulate in the particulates. This contributes to their elimination from air and water, but it causes heavy contamination of aquatic sediments and soils (Aleksander-Kwaterczak & Ciszewski 2012, Aleksander-Kwaterczak & Rajca 2015.…”

The environmental pollution with copper and zinc along the communication routes in Wrocław, Poland

“…The increased values of metallic contamination occur locally and relate mainly to industrial areas and regions which underwent significant anthropopression influences. In selected areas in the vicinity of the source of the emission of contaminants, the soils sometimes show significant levels of contamination [9][10][11]. In 2014, in Lower Silesia the research was carried out in only one district of Polkowice.…”