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http://hdl.handle.net/10773/27102
Title: | Sources of potentially toxic elements and organic pollutants in an urban area subjected to an industrial impact |
Author: | Cachada, Anabela Pereira, Maria Eduarda Silva, Eduardo Ferreira da Duarte, Armando Costa |
Keywords: | Urban soils Agricultural soils Chemical plant Potential toxic elements Organic pollutants Multivariate statistics |
Issue Date: | Jan-2012 |
Publisher: | Springer |
Abstract: | Urban and industrial development has caused a major impact on environmental soil quality. This work assesses the extent and severity of contamination in a small urban area subjected to an industrial impact and identifies the major anthropogenic inputs. Twenty-six soil samples were collected from agricultural and urban sites, and concentrations of potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn), PAHs and PCBs, were determined. In spite of the low median concentrations observed, some sites represent a potential hazard for human health and ecosystems. Concentrations of contaminants were higher than those found in a nearby city, indicating that the study area is affected by the surrounding industry. The use of multivariate statistical analyses allowed for the identification of the main factors controlling the variability of potentially toxic elements and organic pollutants in the soils. The presence of Cr, Fe, Mn and Ni was associated with geogenic inputs, and Cu, Pb, Zn, As, PAHs and PCBs were associated with anthropogenic inputs. Industry and traffic were the most important anthropogenic sources. Soil characteristics were identified as important factors controlling the spatial variability of elements, both from recognised natural and anthropogenic origin. Differences between land uses were observed, which may be attributed to both management practices and proximity to sources. |
Peer review: | yes |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10773/27102 |
DOI: | 10.1007/s10661-011-1943-8 |
ISSN: | 0167-6369 |
Appears in Collections: | CESAM - Artigos DQ - Artigos GeoBioTec - Artigos |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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Cachada et al. - 2012 - Sources of potentially toxic elements and organic .pdf | 638.04 kB | Adobe PDF |
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