Soil in urban and industrial areas is one of the main sinks of pollutants. It is well known that there is a strong link between metal(loid)s bioaccessibility by inhalation pathway and human health. The critical size fraction is < 10 μm (inhalable fraction) since these particles can approach to the tracheobronchial region. Here, soil samples (< 10 μm) from a highly urbanized area and an industrialized city were characterized by combining magnetic measurements, bioaccessibility of metal(loids) and Pb isotope analyses. Thermomagnetic analysis indicated that the main magnetic mineral is impure magnetite. In vitro inhalation analysis showed that Cd, Mn, Pb and Zn were the elements with the highest bioaccessibility rates (%) for both settings. Anthropogenic sources that are responsible for Pb accumulation in < 10 μm fraction are traffic emissions for the highly urbanized environment, and Pb related to steel emissions and coal combustion in cement plant for the industrial setting. We did not establish differences in the Pb isotope composition between pseudo-total and bioaccessible Pb. The health risk assessment via the inhalation pathway showed limited non-carcinogenic risks for adults and children. The calculated risks based on pseudo-total and lung bioaccessible concentrations were identical for the two areas of contrasting anthropogenic pressures. Carcinogenic risks were under the threshold levels (CR < 10-4), with Ni being the dominant contributor to risk. This research contributes valuable insights into the lung bioaccessibility of metal(loids) in urban and industrial soils, incorporating advanced analytical techniques and health risk assessments for a comprehensive understanding.

• Klíčová slova
• Magnetite, Respiratory bioaccessibility, Source identification, Urban geochemistry,
• MeSH
• biologická dostupnost MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hodnocení rizik MeSH
• inhalační expozice analýza   MeSH
• izotopy analýza   MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu * analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• olovo * analýza   MeSH
• průmysl MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• těžké kovy analýza   MeSH
• urbanizace MeSH
• velikost částic MeSH
• velkoměsta MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• velkoměsta MeSH
• Názvy látek
• izotopy MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu * MeSH
• olovo * MeSH
• půda MeSH
• těžké kovy MeSH

This study investigates human health risks associated with heavy metals (HMs) occurrence in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. For testing of selected MSW landfills steps were involved, including site characterization, soil sampling and chemical testing, statistical analysis, as well as health risk assessment, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects. For the Polish landfill (Radiowo) the average HMs concentrations were found in the following order: Zn (52.74 mg/kg DM) > Pb (28.32 mg/kg DM) > Cu (12.14 mg/kg DM) > Ni (4.50 mg/kg DM) > Cd (3.49 mg/kg DM), while for the Czech landfill (Zdounky): Zn (32.05 mg/kg DM) > Cu (14.73 mg/kg DM) > Ni (4.73 mg/kg DM) > Pb (0.10 mg/kg DM) = Cd (0.10 mg/kg DM). Strong positive correlations between selected HMs demonstrated identical origins. Principal component analysis (PCA) performed for the Radiowo landfill transferred the soil parameters into three principal components (PCs), accounting for 87.12% of the total variance. The results of the PCA analysis for the Zdounky landfill revealed three PCs responsible for 95.16% of the total variance. The exposure pathways of HMs for landfills were in the following order: ingestion > dermal absorption > inhalation. For both landfills, the values of hazard quotient were lower than 1, indicating no potential negative health effects. In terms of the hazard index (HI), for both landfills, no adverse human health effects occur (HI < 1). The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) values indicated negligible or acceptable carcinogenic risk of HMs (average ILCR in the range from 5.01E-10 to 5.19E-06).

• Klíčová slova
• Carcinogenic effects, Heavy metals, PCA analysis, Pollution, Spatial distribution, Waste management,
• MeSH
• hodnocení rizik MeSH
• kadmium analýza   MeSH
• karcinogeny analýza   MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu * toxicita   analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• olovo analýza   MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• skládková zařízení MeSH
• těžké kovy * toxicita   analýza   MeSH
• tuhý odpad analýza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Čína MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kadmium MeSH
• karcinogeny MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu * MeSH
• olovo MeSH
• půda MeSH
• těžké kovy * MeSH
• tuhý odpad MeSH

Coal mining activities are causing an extensive range of environmental issues at both operating and abandoned mine sites. It is one of the most environmentally destructive practices, with the capability to eliminate fauna and flora, impact the groundwater system, and pollute the soil, air, and water. The Czech Republic relies almost exclusively on coal as its primary domestic source of energy. The combined reserves of hard and brown coals in this country are 705 million tons. About 50 million tons of coal is produced annually, making it the 14th biggest producer in the world. Soil degradation is an inevitable outcome of the coal production from surface coal mining procedures in the Czech Republic. Significant changes have taken place in soil productivity, hydraulic characteristics, horizon, and texture as a result of soil pollution, bioturbation, compaction, and weathering. The current review has evaluated the impact of reclamation and coal mining on soil characteristics, including biological, chemical, and physical properties. Additionally, the study has outlined the process of soil formation in reclamation areas in the Czech Republic. In nutshell, research gaps and future directions in understanding coal mining areas and their influences on soils in the Czech Republic are identified.

• Klíčová slova
• Coal mining, Czech Republic, Heavy metals, Land reclamation, Soil pollution,
• MeSH
• hornictví MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu * toxicita   analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• těžba uhlí * MeSH
• uhlí analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující půdu * MeSH
• půda MeSH
• uhlí MeSH

Amendments are good tools for immobilizing metal(loid) and improving phytoremediation success. However, the amendment effect is variable and depends on multiple parameters, including amendment type and ageing. Such an ageing effect is rarely studied. Our study is one of the first focusing on how biochar storage affects its effect on soil properties and metal(loid) immobilization, when biochar was applied alone or in combination with green manure. To answer this, a 33-day pot incubation experiment was set up using contaminated soil, amended with two biochars (differing in ages: old (Bo) and new (Bn)) and/or two green manures (leaves of clover or poplar) and sown with Phaseolus vulgaris (bioindicator plant). Soil pore waters, plant growth and metal(loid) accumulation were evaluated. Biochar reduced soil acidity (Bn: + 0.75 pH unit, Bo: + 0.72 unit) and Pb mobility (Bn: - 42%, Bo: - 50%), while green manures acidified the soil (- 0.30 pH unit) and immobilized Pb only after 10 days (- 44%). All amendments reduced soil phytotoxicity. Moreover, the biochar stored at room temperature for a few years demonstrated better abilities to improve soil properties, particularly for Pb immobilization, than the biochar freshly prepared. Finally, as mixtures maturated, soil parameters changed until about ten days, then tended to stabilize. Therefore, it can be concluded that (1) biochar storage will affect its chemical properties and ameliorate its effects, (2) biochar can ameliorate soil properties and immobilize metal(loid)s, while green manures tended to have adverse effects at first, and (3) soil/amendment mixtures should be left to mature about two weeks before potential plant implementation.

• Klíčová slova
• Amendments, Biochar storage, Metal(loid)s, Phaseolus vulgaris, Stabilization,
• MeSH
• dřevěné a živočišné uhlí chemie   MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu * analýza   MeSH
• olovo * toxicita   MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biochar MeSH Prohlížeč
• dřevěné a živočišné uhlí MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu * MeSH
• olovo * MeSH
• půda MeSH

The study intended to assess the level of pollution of potential toxic elements (PTEs) at different soil depths and to evaluate the source contribution in agricultural soil. One hundred and two soil samples were collected for both topsoil (51), and the subsoil (51) and the content of PTEs (Cr, Cu, Cd, Mn, Ni, Pb, As and Zn) were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The concentrations of Zn and Cd in both soil horizons indicated that the current study levels were higher than the upper continental crust (UCC), world average value (WAV), and European average values (EAV). Nonetheless, the concentration values of PTEs such as Mn and Cu for EAV, As, Cu, Mn, and Pb for UCC, and Pb for WAV were lower than the average values of the corresponding PTEs in this study. The single pollution index, enrichment factor, and ecological risk revealed that the pollution level ranged from low to high. The pollution load index, Nemerow pollution index, and risk index all revealed that pollution levels ranged from low to high. The spatial distribution confirmed that pollution levels varied between the horizons; that is, the subsoil was considered slightly more enriched than the topsoil. Principal component analysis identified the PTE source as geogenic (i.e. for Mn, Cu, Ni, Cr) and anthropogenic (i.e. for Pb, Zn, Cd, and As). PTEs were attributed to various sources using enrichment factor-positive matrix factorization (EF-PMF) and positive matrix factorization (PMF), including geogenic (e.g. rock weathering), fertilizer application, steel industry, industrial sewage irrigation, agrochemicals, and metal works. Both receptor models allotted consistent sources for the PTEs. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to the receptor models (EF-PMF and PMF), and their efficiency was tested and assessed using root-mean-square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and R2 accuracy indicators. The validation and accuracy assessment of the receptor models revealed that the EF-PMF receptor model output significantly reduces errors compared with the parent model PMF. Based on the marginal error levels in RMSE and MAE, 7 of the 8 PTEs (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Mn, Pb, and Zn) analysed performed better under the EF-PMF receptor model. The EF-PMF receptor model optimizes the efficiency level in source apportionment, reducing errors in determining the proportion contribution of PTEs in each factor. The purpose of building a model is to maximize efficiency while minimizing inaccuracy. The marginal error limitation encountered in the parent model PMF was circumvented by EF-PMF. As a result, EF-PMF is feasible and useful for apparently polluted environments, whether farmland, urban land, or peri-urban land.

• Klíčová slova
• Enrichment factor-positive matrix factorization, Frýdek-Místek District, Multiple linear regression, Potentially toxic elements, Principal component analysis, Spatial distribution,
• MeSH
• hodnocení rizik MeSH
• kadmium analýza   MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu * analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• olovo analýza   MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• těžké kovy * analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Čína MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kadmium MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu * MeSH
• olovo MeSH
• půda MeSH
• těžké kovy * MeSH

Identifying a suitable geochemical background level (GBL) and an appropriate normalizer is imperative for ensuring soil quality, health, and security. The objective of this study was to identify the appropriate normalizer and suitable GBL for determining PTE enrichment levels in agricultural soils and investigate if there are any statistical differences due to the GBL [World Average Value (WAV) European Average Value (EAV)] used. Forty-nine topsoil samples were obtained from seven agricultural communities in the Frdek-Mstek District (Czech Republic). Portable X-ray fluorescence was used to determine the total PTEs (Cr, Ni, Cu, Y, Ba, Th, As, Pb, and Zn) concentration levels in the soil. Correlation matrix analysis was used to determine the metallic relationship between the PTEs and the normalizers (Al, Fe, Ti, Zr, Sr and Rb). Pollution indices such as contamination factor (CF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF) analysis were used to determine the most suitable GBL. Al, Fe, Sr, Ti and Rb strongly correlated with the CF, Igeo and EF, whereas WAV performed better than the other geochemical background (EAV). The results indicated that Rb was the suitable normalizer and WAV was the appropriate GBL for agricultural soil and provided a foundation for evaluating and surveilling soil quality and health in agricultural soil.

• Klíčová slova
• Correlation matrix, European average value, Multivariate statistics, Proxy, World average value,
• MeSH
• hodnocení rizik MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu * analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• olovo analýza   MeSH
• půda MeSH
• těžké kovy * analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující půdu * MeSH
• olovo MeSH
• půda MeSH
• těžké kovy * MeSH

The first atmospheric PAHs levels and associated inhalation cancer risk were assessed over southwest Buenos Aires region by deploying PUF disk PAS samplers. Eight sampling location included coastal zones, touristic beaches, and rural inland areas were considered. PUF disks were fortified with surrogate standards and extracted by automated Soxhlet prior to GC-MS analysis. Σ16 PAHs ranged from 1.13 to 44.5 ng m-3 (10.3 ± 9.8), while urban locations showed up to 10 times higher PAH levels than rural or beach locations. Direct sources of PAHs, such as intensive vehicle traffic, heating, and general combustion activities, were identified. PAHs with four to six rings (46.62%) were predominantly Flt, Pyr, BbF, and BkF, and carcinogenic risk was expressed by BaP (0.10 ± 0.07 ng m-3) and BaPTEQs (0.26 ± 0.22 ng m-3). Inhalation ECR (2.23E-5, WHO) presented the lowest risk at beach locations. Molecular ratios and PCA showed a strong dominance in pyrolytic sources, such as biomass and coal combustion, with a particular signature in fires at inland locations. Overall, this study demonstrated that PUF disk passive air sampling provided a sound and simple approach for tracking air PAHs, their sources and public health risks, bringing a cost-effective tool for pollution control measures, even at small and remote towns. This is particularly relevant in extensive countries with medium or low income, such as Argentina.

• Klíčová slova
• Argentina, Atlantic, Cancer risk, Coastal pollution, PAHs, PUF disks, Passive sampling,
• MeSH
• hodnocení rizik MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky * analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Argentina MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky * MeSH

Long-term exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their nitrated (NPAHs) and oxygenated (OPAHs) derivatives can cause adverse health effects due to their carcinogenicity, mutagenicity and oxidative potential. The distribution of PAH derivatives in the terrestrial environment has hardly been studied, although several PAH derivatives are ubiquitous in air and long-lived in soil and water. We report the multi-annual variations in the concentrations of NPAHs, OPAHs and PAHs in soils sampled at a semi-urban (Mokrá, Czech Republic) and a regional background site (Košetice, Czech Republic) in central Europe. The concentrations of the Σ18NPAHs and the Σ11+2OPAHs and O-heterocycles were 0.31 ± 0.23 ng g-1 and 4.03 ± 3.03 ng g-1, respectively, in Košetice, while slightly higher concentrations of 0.54 ± 0.45 ng g-1 and 5.91 ± 0.45 ng g-1, respectively, were found in soil from Mokrá. Among the 5 NPAHs found in the soils, 1-nitropyrene and less so 6-nitrobenzo(a)pyrene were most abundant. The OPAHs were more evenly distributed. The ratios of the PAH derivatives to their parent PAHs in Košetice indicate that they were long-range transported to the background site. Our results show that several NPAHs and OPAHs are abundant in soil and that gas-particle partitioning is a major factor influencing the concentration of several semi-volatile NPAHs and OPAHs in the soils. Complete understanding of the long-term variations of NPAH and OPAH concentrations in soil is limited by the lack of kinetic data describing their formation and degradation.

• Klíčová slova
• Background, Nitrated PAHs, Polycyclic aromatic compounds, soil pollution, Soil exposure, Temporal variation,
• MeSH
• dusičnany MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• pastviny MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky * analýza   MeSH
• půda MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• dusičnany MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky * MeSH
• půda MeSH

Long-term brown coal mining contributes to risk element contents in soils surrounding coal basins. However, there is a lack of bioaccessibility characterization of the risk elements in the soils at the impacted locations for estimation of the potential health risk, in relation to the effects of soil particle size and element origin. In this study, soils from different geological areas (geogenic vs. anthropogenic) were sampled around the Most brown coal basin, Czech Republic. These soils were passed through sieves to obtain seven aggregate size fractions. For an estimation of the oral bioaccessibility of As and Pb in the size fractions, the physiologically based extraction test was applied, whereas the potential pulmonary bioaccessibility of the elements was estimated by using both Gamble's and Hatch's tests. The results showed that the geochemical pattern of the investigated elements clearly separates the soil samples collected from the mountain region (mineralization from geogenic processes) from those of the basin region (extensive coal mining). For As, the results indicated that it poses higher risks in the anthropogenically affected basin region due to its higher gastro-intestinal and pulmonary bioaccessibility in soil samples in this area. A higher bioaccessibility of As in the soils was recorded in the finer grain size fractions, which are usually air-borne and can be easily ingested and/or inhaled, leading to potential health risks to humans and livestock. The opposite pattern, with a higher content on coarse particles, was recorded for Pb, indicating a potential risk of livestock in the non-forest mountainous areas.

• Klíčová slova
• Arsenic, Bioaccessibility, Brown coal mining, Lead, Soil aggregate size,
• MeSH
• arsen * analýza   MeSH
• biologická dostupnost MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu * analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• olovo MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• těžba uhlí * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• arsen * MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu * MeSH
• olovo MeSH
• půda MeSH

Environmental pollution by potentially toxic element (PTE) and the associated health risks in humans are increasingly becoming a global challenge. The current study is an in-depth assessment of PTEs including the often studied lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As) and the less-studied titanium (Ti), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), zirconium (Zr), barium (Ba) and thorium (Th) in highly polluted floodplain topsoil samples from the Litavka River, Czech Republic. Soil chemical properties including carbon (Cox) and reaction (pH_H2O) together with iron (Fe) were assessed in the same soils. A portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (p-XRFS) (Delta Premium) was used to measure the PTEs and Fe contents of the soils. Soil organic carbon and reaction pH were determined following routine laboratory procedures. The concentration level of each PTE was compared against world average and crustal values, with the majority of elements exceeding the aforementioned geochemical background levels. Distributions of the PTEs were mapped. Two pollution assessment indices including enrichment factor (EF) and pollution index (PI) levels were calculated and their means for Zn (43.36, 55.54), As (33.23, 43.59) and Pb (81.08, 103.21) show that these elements were enriched. Zn, As and Pb accounted for the high pollution load index (PLI) levels observed in the study. The EF and PI distribution maps corresponded with the concentration distribution maps for each PTE. On health risk assessment, hazard quotients (HQ) in different human groups varied. Children had the highest HQs for all PTEs than adults (women and men). PTEs with high HQ levels in distinct human groups were As, Zr and Pb. Zirconium is a less likely element to pose a health risk in humans. Nonetheless, it should be kept in check despite its low pollution occurrence.

• Klíčová slova
• Health-risk assessment, Litavka River, Potentially toxic elements, Riverine soils, Secondary pollution,
• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hodnocení rizik metody   MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu * analýza   toxicita   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• těžké kovy * analýza   toxicita   MeSH
• uhlík MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující půdu * MeSH
• půda MeSH
• těžké kovy * MeSH
• uhlík MeSH