Abstract
Heavy metal contamination of soils by metalliferous activities around metallurgical smelter Kremikovtzi was studied in different distances. Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, As and Hg were determined on 38 soil samples (topsoils and subsoils) in order to assess the distribution of these heavy metals in the soil depth. Soils were analyzed using AAS for Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr and Ni; CVAAS for Hg; and HGAAS for As. Analysis of pH was also defined by pH meter. Correlation between pH values and heavy metal con18 centrations was not established. Higher metal concentrations were determinedin the soil samples taken relatively close to the smelter than those taken at 3 km distance. In some samples determined levels of Pb (330 mg/kg) and As (180 mg/kg) exceed considerably the maximum admissible concentrations (MAS) according to the Bulgarian Legislation (MAS of Pb is 130 mg/kg and MAS of As is 40 mg/kg). Determined concentrations of other metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Hg) are below MAS but exceed the background and precautionary values. Determined levels of heavy metals and arsenic in the surface soil layers and these from 30 cm depth were quantified in the same order of magnitude. It was found that metal concentrations decreased with the distance increasing from the smelter. In addition, soil heavy metal contamination may pose a potential health risk to residents in the vicinity of smelter areas. For that reason, the morbidity rate of population living in this region was analyzed and it was found that allergic, respiratory, cardiovascular and endocrine disorders were with higher frequency rate compared with the average data for the city of Sofia.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Balabanov, Ts. 1999. Hygienic investigation of the behaviour of lead, copper and zinc in soils with a goal to determine their norms in soil. PhD thesis, Sofia
Barcan, V., Kovnatsky, E. 1998. Soil surface geochemical anomaly around the copper–nickel metallurgical smelter. Water Air Soil Pollut, 103:197–218.
De Miguel, E., Jmenez de Grado, M., Llamas, JF., Martin-Dorado, A., Mazadiego, LF. 1998. The overlooked contribution of compost application to the trace element load in the urban soil of Madrid (Spain). Sci Total Environ. 215:113–122.
Dumontet, S., Dinel, H., Leᅩvesque, PEN. 1992. The distribution of pollutant heavy metals and their effect on soil respiration and acid phosphatase activity in mineral soils of the Rouyn- Noranda region, Queᅩbec. Sci Total Environ.121:231–245.
Faitondjiev, L., Stanislalova, L., Tchuldjian, H., Georgiev, B., Gupta, S.K., Schulin, R., 2000a. Changes in soils of the region of Kremikovtzi. Soil Sci., Agrochem. Ecol. 35 (4), 3–9.
Faitondjiev, L., Stanislalova, L., Tchuldjian, H., Gupta, S.K., Schulin, R., 2000b. Toxic elements in soils of the region of Kremikovtzi. Soil Sci., Agrochem. Ecol. 35 (5), 3–9.
Folinsbee, LJ. 1993. Human health effects of air pollution. Environ Health Perspect.100:45–46.
Lux, W. 1986. Shhwermetallgehalte und isoplethen in Boden, subhydrishen Ablagerung und Pflanzen im Sudosten Hamburgs. Hamburger Bodenkudliche Arbeiten. 5:249.
Martley, E., Gulson, B.L., Pfeiffer, H.-R., 2004. Metal concentrations in soils around the copper smelter and surrounding industrial complex of Port Kembla, NSW, Australia. Sci. Total Environ. 325, 113–127.
Paterson, E., Sanka, M., Clark, L. 1996. Urban soils as pollutant sinks-a case study from Aberdeen, Scotland. Appl. Geochem. 11:129–131.
Pellicer, DMJ. 1985. Boletin aula de ecologia 4, Ayuntamiento de Madrid. Madrid: Consejalia de Medio Ambiente.
Rundle, S., Duggan, M. 1980.Report DE/SB/EDS/R91. London: Greater London Council.
Sanchez-Camazano, M., Sanchez-Martın, MJ., Lorenzo, LF. 1994. Lead and cadmium in soils and vegetables from urban gardens of Salamanca (Spain). Sci. Total Environ.146/147:163–168.
Sichorova, K., Tlustos, P., Szakova, J., Korinek, K., Balik, J., 2004. Horizontal and vertical variability of heavy metals in the soil of a polluted area. Plant. Soil Environ. 50, 525–534.
Spasov, A., Balabanov, Ts., Metodiev, V., 1996. Health-ecological investigation of soil pollution with heavy metals in a metallurgical smelter Kremikovzi. Hygiene., XXVI, 46-51.
Spittler, TM., Feder, WA. 1979. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal.10:1195.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
About this paper
Cite this paper
Dimitrova, A., Sidjimov, M., Metodiev, V., Spasov, A. (2011). Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Soils Around Kremikovtsi Smelter (Bulgaria). In: Simeonov, L., Kochubovski, M., Simeonova, B. (eds) Environmental Heavy Metal Pollution and Effects on Child Mental Development. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series C: Environmental Security, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0253-0_15
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0253-0_15
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-007-0252-3
Online ISBN: 978-94-007-0253-0
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)