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Pedo-geochemical baseline content levels and soil quality reference values of trace elements in soils from the Mediterranean (Castilla La Mancha, Spain)

  • Research Article
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Central European Journal of Geosciences

Abstract

To evaluate trace element soil contamination, geochemical baseline contents and reference values need to be established. Pedo-geochemical baseline levels of trace elements in 72 soil samples of 24 soil profiles from the Mediterranean, Castilla La Mancha, are assessed and soil quality reference values are calculated. Reference value contents (in mg kg−1) were: Sc 50.8; V 123.2; Cr 113.4; Co 20.8; Ni 42.6; Cu 27.0; Zn 86.5; Ga 26.7; Ge 1.3; As 16.7; Se 1.4; Br 20.1; Rb 234.7; Sr 1868.4; Y 38.3; Zr 413.1; Nb 18.7; Mo 2.0; Ag 7.8; Cd 4.4; Sn 8.7; Sb 5.7; I 25.4; Cs 14.2; Ba 1049.3; La 348.4; Ce 97.9; Nd 40.1; Sm 10.7; Yb 4.2; Hf 10.0; Ta 4.0; W 5.5; Tl 2.3; Pb 44.2; Bi 2.2; Th 21.6; U 10.3. The contents obtained for some elements are below or close to the detection limit: Co, Ge, Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Yb, Hf, Ta, W, Tl and Bi. The element content ranges (the maximum value minus the minimum value) are: Sc 55.0, V 196.0, Cr 346.0, Co 64.4, Ni 188.7, Cu 49.5, Zn 102.3, Ga 28.7, Ge 1.5, As 26.4, Se 0.9, Br 33.0 Rb 432.7, Sr 3372.6, Y 39.8, Zr 523.2, Nb 59.7, Mo 3.9, Ag 10.1, Cd 1.8, Sn 75.2, Sb 9.9, I 68.0, Cs 17.6, Ba 1394.9, La 51.3, Ce 93.5, Nd 52.5, Sm 11.2, Yb 4.2, Hf 11.3, Ta 6.3, W 5.2, Tl 2.1, Pb 96.4, Bi 3.0, Th 24.4, U 16.4 (in mg kg−1). The spatial distribution of the elements was affected mainly by the nature of the bedrock and by pedological processes. The upper limit of expected background variation for each trace element in the soil is documented, as is its range as a criterion for evaluating which sites may require decontamination.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Geologia y Geoqu⩔ica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid

    Raimundo Jiménez Ballesta & Rosario Garcia Giménez

  2. Departamento de Infraestrustura Geocientifica y Servicios, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Area de Laboratorios y Servicios C/ La Calera 1. 28760 Tres Cantos, Madrid

    Paz Conde Bueno & Juan A. Martin Rubi

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  1. Raimundo Jiménez Ballesta
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  2. Paz Conde Bueno
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  3. Juan A. Martin Rubi
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  4. Rosario Garcia Giménez
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Ballesta, R.J., Bueno, P.C., Rubi, J.A.M. et al. Pedo-geochemical baseline content levels and soil quality reference values of trace elements in soils from the Mediterranean (Castilla La Mancha, Spain). Cent. Eur. J. Geosci. 2, 441–454 (2010). https://doi.org/10.2478/v10085-010-0028-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10085-010-0028-1

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