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SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF RISK ELEMENTS IN ENVIRONMENTALLY LOADED SOIL - ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS ASSESSMENT

Július Árvay

Abstract

The paper focuses on the determination of studied risk elements (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) in the upper layer of agricultural land located in the inundation zone of the Stiavnica River in the cadastral area of Dudince village. The studied area is characterized by historical contamination of floodplains. The contamination vector is represented by the Stiavnica River that drains the nearby area of Stiavnica Mountains, an important mining area in the past. Analyzes to determine the exchange soil reaction and the content of the elements in aqua regia extract were performed in soil samples. Consequently, the environmental quality was assessed by the contamination factor (Cf), geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and pollution load index (PLI.). The contents of the studied elements varied between limiting values, as confirmed by the contamination parameters. The Cf values ranged from considerable contamination (Cu) to very high contamination (Pb, Cd and Zn). The PLI results of all studied elements showed extreme pollution and the Igeo values ranged from considerable contamination (Cd, Pb and Zn) to moderate contamination (Cu). It can be concluded that food production on the agricultural land poses a significant risk on the health of the consumers.

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