The soils of river basins are often exposed to contaminants resulting from anthropogenic activities. This research identified 11 potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and assessed pollution indices, ecological risk assessments, and human health risks in the topsoil of the Upper Ohře River Basin (Czech Republic and Germany). Among the PTEs, As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn exhibited considerable variability across the area, with contents exceeding the legislative limits of the Czech Republic, particularly at three locations near coal mining activities. Various indices indicated significant contamination in the river basin (pollution load index > 1, except at one location); however, the level of pollution varied across locations and in relation to the used indices. The ecological risk factor identified As and Cd as the primary pollutants. The potential ecological risk index indicated a strong risk, with two locations showing a highly strong ecological risk. The findings revealed no serious non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic risks to adults, while risks were confirmed for children, with As being the main contributor. This research provides basic information for managing pollution from PTEs and protecting the soils and residents of the Upper Ohře River Basin. In this region, particular attention should be paid towards As and Cd.

• Klíčová slova
• Eger, catchment, contamination, heavy metals/metalloids, toxicity,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The present study investigated the distribution of elements and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soil profiles in the southeastern region of Nigeria, where unrefined and primitive mining practices are common. Soil samples were collected from mine and non-mine sites in Ameka and Nkalagu and analyzed for total elemental concentration using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). The results showed that the Ameka mine-affected soils were heavily polluted, while the Ameka non-mine-affected soils were moderately polluted. The Nkalagu mine and non-mine-affected soils were also moderately polluted. The potential ecological risk (PER) was high in the Ameka mine-affected site due to elevated As, Cu, and Pb levels, while the Ameka non-mine-affected site had a low PER. The enrichment factor (EF) values indicated more enrichment of PTEs in the mine-affected sites compared to the non-mine-affected sites. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) showed moderate to extreme contamination in the Ameka mine-affected site with Cu, Zn, As, and Pb. In contrast, the Nkalagu mine-affected site had considerably lower contamination. The regression model showed that site characteristics alone were insufficient to explain elements and PTEs distribution, emphasizing the importance of considering soil properties in understanding their spatial patterns. The study highlights the higher concentrations of As, Cu, and Pb in the mine-affected sites compared to the non-mine areas and recommends remediation strategies for these elements and PTEs, especially in the vicinity of mine sites. Further laboratory analysis is recommended to understand the mobility of PTEs with depth for better remediation approaches.

• Klíčová slova
• Lead-zinc, Limestone, Mine sites, Pollution indices, Soil horizons,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Unhealthy soils in peri-urban and urban areas expose individuals to potentially toxic elements (PTEs), which have a significant influence on the health of children and adults. Hundred and fifteen (n = 115) soil samples were collected from the district of Frydek Mistek at a depth of 0-20 cm and measured for PTEs content using Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. The Pearson correlation matrix of the eleven relevant cross-correlations suggested that the interaction between the metal(loids) ranged from moderate (0.541) correlation to high correlation (0.91). PTEs sources were calculated using parent receptor model positive matrix factorization (PMF) and hybridized geostatistical based receptor model such as ordinary kriging-positive matrix factorization (OK-PMF) and empirical Bayesian kriging-positive matrix factorization (EBK-PMF). Based on the source apportionment, geogenic, vehicular traffic, phosphate fertilizer, steel industry, atmospheric deposits, metal works, and waste disposal are the primary sources that contribute to soil pollution in peri-urban and urban areas. The receptor models employed in the study complemented each other. Comparatively, OK-PMF identified more PTEs in the factor loadings than EBK-PMF and PMF. The receptor models performance via support vector machine regression (SVMR) and multiple linear regression (MLR) using root mean square error (RMSE), R square (R2) and mean square error (MAE) suggested that EBK-PMF was optimal. The hybridized receptor model increased prediction efficiency and reduced error significantly. EBK-PMF is a robust receptor model that can assess environmental risks and controls to mitigate ecological performance.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

A healthy soil is a healthy ecosystem because humans, animals, plants, and water highly depend upon it. Soil pollution by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is a serious concern for humankind. The study is aimed at (i) assessing the concentrations of PTEs in soils under a long-term heavily industrialized region for coal and textiles, (ii) modeling and mapping the spatial and vertical distributions of PTEs using a GIS-based ordinary kriging technique, and (iii) identifying the possible sources of these PTEs in the Jizerské Mountains (Jizera Mts.) using a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. Four hundred and forty-two (442) soil samples were analyzed by applying the aqua regia method. To assess the PTE contents, the level of pollution, and the distribution pattern in soil, the contamination factor (CF) and the pollution load index load (PLI) were applied. ArcGIS-based ordinary kriging interpolation was used for the spatial analysis of PTEs. The results of the analysis revealed that the variation in the coefficient (CV) of PTEs in the organic soil was highest in Cr (96.36%), followed by Cu (54.94%) and Pb (49.40%). On the other hand, the mineral soil had Cu (96.88%), Cr (66.70%), and Pb (64.48%) as the highest in CV. The PTEs in both the organic soil and the mineral soil revealed a high heterogeneous variability. Though the study area lies within the "Black Triangle", which is a historic industrial site in Central Europe, this result did not show a substantial influence of the contamination of PTEs in the area. In spite of the rate of pollution in this area being very low based on the findings, there may be a need for intermittent assessment of the soil. This helps to curtail any excessive accumulation and escalation in future. The results may serve as baseline information for pollution assessment. It might support policy-developers in sustainable farming and forestry for the health of an ecosystem towards food security, forest safety, as well as animal and human welfare.

• Klíčová slova
• GIS-kriging, contamination factor, heavy metals, pollution load index, positive matrix factorization,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH