Environmental impact and bioavailability of metals in soils near an old slag disposal site
Le résumé fourni par la source
Rapid industrialization and economic progress provide numerous benefits to society, but they can also result in negative environmental impacts. Activities related to industrial production, including emissions, waste disposal, material storage, and transport operations, can contribute to the release of heavy metals into surrounding soils. In particular, the mobilization of metals from metallurgical wastes (e.g., slag) can represent a potential threat to environmental quality and human health [1]. Accordingly, proper environmental management and sustainable waste treatment practices are essential for minimizing these impacts [2]. The study area for this research is located in the village of Vranovo (Serbia), which has an area known for the disposal of metallurgical slag from the integrated steel production complex. This study examines the environmental influence of an old slag disposal site, located near residential areas (housing settlement and greenhouses) in Vranovo, focusing on present-day soil quality and the potential mobility and bioavailability of metals. Soil samples were collected and subjected to two single extraction procedures – with an unbuffered 0.01 mol L⁻¹ CaCl2 solution and a mild leaching test using deionized water – in order to compare extraction efficiency, evaluate long-term effects of leaching, and determine the bioavailable concentrations of potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn). The soil from the slag disposal site showed elevated mean concentrations of As, Cd, and Zn, exceeding the established target values. The same site also exhibited the highest environmental risk and pollution load index values, reflecting a high degree of soil contamination with Cd, As, and Pb contributing most significantly to the overall risk. Results from the two leaching tests indicated limited mobilization of metals from these samples, where the actual metals leaching levels in real environment showed values below the regulation limits.
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