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. 2013 Jul;20(7):5067-75.
doi: 10.1007/s11356-013-1473-8. Epub 2013 Jan 22.

Metal fractionation in soils and assessment of environmental contamination in Vallecamonica, Italy

L Borgese  1 , S Federici, A Zacco, A Gianoncelli, L Rizzo, D R Smith, F Donna, R Lucchini, L E Depero, E Bontempi
Affiliations

Metal fractionation in soils and assessment of environmental contamination in Vallecamonica, Italy

L Borgese et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2013 Jul.

Abstract

Metal contamination was investigated in soils of the Vallecamonica, an area in the northern part of the Brescia province (Italy), where ferroalloy industries were active for a century until 2001. The extent in which emissions from ferroalloy plants affected metal concentration in soils is not known in this area. In this study, the geogenic and/or anthropogenic origin of metals in soils were estimated. A modified Community Bureau of Reference sequential chemical extraction method followed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) analyses were employed to evaluate the potential bioavailability of Al, Cd, Mn, Fe, Cr, Zn, and Pb in soils. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to assess the relationships among metal sources in soil samples from different locations. This approach allowed distinguishing of different loadings and mobility of metals in soils collected in different areas. Results showed high concentrations and readily extractability of Mn in the Vallecamonica soils, which may suggest potential bioavailability for organisms and may create an environmental risk and potential health risk of human exposure.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Figure 1a. Percent of the f1, f2, f3, and f4 fractions median values, obtained for Vallecamonica soils. Figure 1b. Percent of the f1, f2, f3, and f4 fractions median values, obtained for Garda Lake soils.
Figure 2
Figure 2
f3+f4 fractions metal concentration as a function of Al f3+f4 concentration
Figure 3
Figure 3
Figure 3a. Radar chart showing the median proportions distribution of each element associated with f1+f2 and f3+f4 fractions for Vallecamonica soils Figure 3b. Radar chart showing the median proportions distribution of each element associated with f1+f2 and f3+f4 fractions for Garda Lake soils
Figure 4
Figure 4
Figure 4a. PCA results performed on f3+f4 fractions for all the 85 sampling sites. Figure 4b. PCA results performed on f1+f2 fractions for all the 85 sampling sites.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Environmental risk associated with metal pollution. Dotted line indicates dangerous value (Rath et al. 2009).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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