1st International Conference of Soil and Agriculture:
TOWARDS SOIL SUSTAINABILITY
11–13 June 2024 • Lublin–Nałęczów, Poland

https://doi.org/10.24326/ICSA1.PP.32
Published online: 4 October 2024

Assessment of trace elements contamination in soils in the vicinity of a floatation tailings reservoir
Katarzyna Wiatrowska*

Department of Soil Science, Land Reclamation and Geodesy, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Piątkowska 94, 60-649 Poznań, Poland
* Corresponding author:

Abstract
Technological progress is inevitably associated with a greater industrial demand for trace elements. The mining, extraction and processing of ores of these metals are considered to be one of the main anthropogenic activities that contribute to trace elements pollution, which may lead to serious consequences for human health and also long-term deterioration of environmental biodiversity. Usually, two main problems are associated with the extraction of elements for industry: the acidic mine drainage and mine waste tailings. The following research describes the influence of a floatation tailings deposition site on the soil environment. 23 soil samples from the surface mineral layer (0–20 cm) were collected around Żelazny Most reservoir, the largest dumping site in Europe. The total content of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry after acid digestion (aqua regia followed by hydrofluoric and boric acid). Soil contamination was evaluated according to Polish Soil Quality Standards and via geochemical indices (Geo-accumulation index, I_geo; improved Nemerow index, INI; and Potential Ecological Risk, RI). The mean values of the total contents of Cd, Cu and Pb were higher than their respective background values, whereas of Zn was lower, suggesting that Cd, Cu and Pb contents in soil increased over the period of Żelazny Most reservoir operation. Although, according to the criteria of the Polish Soil Quality Standards only one sample was classified as contaminated, a slightly different evaluation of soil quality was obtained using geochemical indicators. The mean values of I_geo varied between elements; for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were 1.0, −0.03, 2.78 and −1.28, respectively. The INI values in the area studied ranged from 0.21 to 2.39, indicating that the overall level of trace elements pollution falls within the range of uncontaminated to moderately contaminated classes. The potential ecological risk index (RI), which takes into account total metal contents and biochemical properties and potential toxicity of elements, showed that 52.2% of soil samples were classified as very high and extremely high risk classes. The assessment of soil contamination level depended on the subdivision criteria applied or the geochemical index used for the assessment. Significant differences in the assessment of the quality of the environment were found especially when the multi-element geochemical indices were applied.

Keywords: trace elements, geochemical indices, pollution assessment

How to cite
Wiatrowska K., 2024. Assessment of trace elements contamination in soils in the vicinity of a floatation tailings reservoir. 1st International Conference of Soil and Agriculture: Towards Soil Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICSA1.PP.32