engleski

Risk assessment of potentially toxic trace elements in soils and lettuce from the Raša coal mining and metal industry area (Labin city, Croatia)

The Labin city area (North Adriatic) is known for more than three hundred years old exploration of the Raša coal, which had high calorifi c, radioactivity, and sulphur values. Several small coal-fi red power plants, metal factories, and foundries were operating successfully until late 1990s. Due to lack of proper environmental legislative in the past, and today’s derelict mill legacy, there are several pollution hotspots. Following the air- drying, grinding, and digestion of soil and lettuce samples in acids, elemental analysis was carried out by HR ICP-MS and AAS. By using Sr values from the regional geochemical map, calculated soil enrichment factor and geo- accumulation index maximum values are as follows: Hg 28.2 and 3.7, Cd 9.3 and 2.4, V 6.0 and 1.5, Se 11.9 and 2.6, Pb 12.3 and 3.6, Cr 49.0 and 4.4, Zn 25.0 and 5.3, Cu 83.4 and 5.1, and U 5.7 and 2.9, respectively. These values are indicative of severe soil pollution in the studied locality, thus calling for further detailed investigations. As regards the lettuce samples, element ranges (mg/kg d.w.) are following: Hg 0-0.03, Cd 0.06-0.38, V 0.39-8.33, Se 0.13-2.53, Pb 0.13-2.84, Sr 2.80-118.40, Cr 0.86-5.48, Zn 6.09-30.20, Cu 2.34-12.79, and U 0.03. Estimated daily intakes (μg day-1) of Cd (31.2), Pb (216.4), Cu (1338.2), and Zn (3371.5) are lower than those prescribed by WHO/FAO. However, the estimated daily intake (μg day-1) of Se is 353.8, which is tenfold the normal intake in Croatia. This could be attributed to soil pollution with Se due to the Raša coal combustion.

risk, soil, lettuce, metals, Labin

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