A. Greinert

Urban soil resources of medium-sized cities in Poland: a comparative case study of Toruń and Zielona Góra

PurposeDespite the many studies of urban soils, a comparative analysis for cities of a similar size has not yet been conducted. Thus, the aim of this review paper was to compare the soil distribution patterns in the area of two medium-sized Polish cities (Toruń and Zielona Góra). The authors attempted to answer the question of how natural and technogenic factors contributed to the transformation of urban soils and what the similarities and differences are between these two studied cities.Materials and methodsFirst, both the natural and the human-related (including historical) factors influencing the soil formation in the studied cities were analysed. Then, a comparison of the degree of transformation of the urban soil environment was presented. The data obtained by the authors during nearly two decades of research (over 200 soil profiles) were used.Results and discussionIntensive development of the built-up areas in Toruń brought heavy and long-term transformations of soils, which demonstrate the typical properties of Urbic Technosols, Ekranic Technosols and other technogenic soils. Zielona Góra showed a similar state of soil transformation over a considerably smaller area. Currently, the differences in the soil properties in many built up areas have been blurred, despite the habitat and historical base. The similarities of the soil properties concerned, in particular, a high content of skeletal remains (from a few to over 30%), elevated pH (in KCl) values (even above 8.0) and the artificial soil horizons formation. Both cities struggle with similar problems regarding the changes in the land use within the areas covered by these soils.ConclusionsIt was found that, despite the significant habitat and historical differences between the two studied cities, most of the urban soils, especially Urbic Technosols, Ekranic Technosols and Regosols (Relocatic and Technic), are characterised by similar morphology and properties. The most important differences are the time and scale of the area transformation, which influence the extent of Technosols and Anthrosols within the city borders. The most distinct differences concern the natural and slightly transformed soils, which are the results of various soil-forming factors.

Anthropogenic Materials as Bedrock of Urban Technosols

Technogenic materials are common in SUITMA’s and may cause significant changes in the properties of soils covering urban areas. Investigations showing the diversification of properties of these materials to consider their role as a bedrock of Technosols are of interest of soil scientists and urban planners. The research was carried out in Zielona Gora urban area (western Poland). The technogenic materials were collected from anthropogenic deposits building layers 0–20(40) cm of the urban Technosols. A high content of technogenic materials deposited in urban Technosols is frequently occurred and expected situation. Many of the analysed materials have a high chemical reactivity, which can induce significant changes in the properties of urban soils, mainly in terms of pH, the content of CaCO3, carbon and EC. Some materials like slags, ashes and sewage sludges contain significant quantities of Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn. The diversification of artefacts should be reflected in the soil classification system, especially when boundary conditions are specified for inclusion of soils into the Technosol group.

Influence of Technic Surfaces on the Selected Properties of Ekranic Technosols

Soil sealing is the most common type of soil degradation in the urban areas. Soil under the different pavement and road covers shows many important disturbances in the exchange of matter and energy between the biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere, what is leading to further disorders. Many important differences between the Ekranic Technosols behaviour are connected with the tightness of technic surface. As usual a diversification between soil properties under the complete (e.g. asphalt roads) and non-complete sealing (pavement bricks) is observed. The paper presents the physico-chemical properties of Ekranic Technosols overhung under bitumen surface, concrete slabs and concrete paving stones. The effect of top layers compaction is visible in all cases, especially in the bulk density, total porosity and capillary water capacity. The pH of the soils was different belonging on soil material and land preparation technique. The top layers of the tested soils can be characterized by the low content of organic carbon. The technogenic layers located directly under the sealed surface showed a lower content of some heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) than the layers below. However, in some cases the opposite situation can be seen. There were no significant differences in the content of trace elements under different technic surfaces.

The Influence of Technical Infrastructure on the Roundabout Areas Development

Abstract The article presents the analysis of roundabouts design aspects including the location of underground and overground infrastructure. Authors also undertake an attempt to assess the existing situation with planning conditions. Many differences depended on the roundabout size, location, surroundings, natural conditions, landform technology used were noted. Roundabouts design should include both the natural arrangements and art installations, increasing the area of urban green areas in parallel using the area as a place for works of art exposure. For Zielona Góra urban area this is of particular importance because of the multitude of roundabouts and their good position in the city structure.

Spatial distribution of heavy metals in the topsoil on roundabouts in Zielona Góra, Poland

Abstract In most cases, traffic pollution deposition is linear with regularities in its distribution in transect routes (canyon-type effect). The aim of this study is to identify different characteristics of heavy metal deposition on large roundabouts, which are open spaces atypical in terms of the characteristics of the air mass flow along road lanes. The study was conducted on four large roundabouts in Zielona Góra. The content of the selected elements in the tested soils was: Cd 0.54–1.22 mg·kg−1 d.m., Cu 3.60–29.3 mg·kg−1 d.m., Cr 2.17–4.63 mg·kg−1 d.m., Zn 26.6–89.9 mg·kg−1 d.m., Pb 10.9–75.4 mg·kg−1 d.m. The geo-accumulation index was also calculated. The threshold values for communication areas were not exceeded, and the content of the elements was generally comparable between the roundabouts. However, we found some differences within particular roundabouts.

Chemical Soil Degradation n the Area of the Głogów Copper Smelter Protective Forest/ Degradacja Ziemi Na Terenach Byłej Strefy Ochronnej Huty Miedzi Głogów

Abstract Earth surface is under the continous influence of the environmental factors - both natural and anthropogenic. The significant impact on the environment can be noted in areas adjacent to the metal industry plants, in a consequence of pollutants emission, especially dusts containing the heavy metals, into the atmosphere,. In the surroundings of Głogów Copper Smelter (GCS) elevated amounts of copper and lead has been noted. In the soils of the test sites were found up to 5250 mg・kg-1 Cu and 1290 mg・kg-1 Pb. The forest litter contained 3.3-5.1 more Cu and 3.9-8.6 Pb than the humic horizon of the soil. Analyse of the different soils covering the GCS protective forest area let specify the stabilising role of particle size distribution, TOC content and the soil reaction to Cu and Pb migration in the environment. Streszczenie Powierzchnia ziemi jest nieustannnie narażona na oddziaływania o charakterze naturalnym i antropogenicznym. Znaczące oddziaływanie jest łatwo zauważalne na terenach przemysłowych. Szczególnie na obszarach objętych wydobyciem i przeróbką metali. Na terenach przyległych do Huty Miedzi Głogów stwierdzono wysoką koncentrację miedzi i ołowiu sięgającą 5250 mg・kg-1 Cu i 1290 mg・kg-1 Pb. Poziom ściółki leśnej zawierał 3,3-5,1 raza więcej Cu i 3,9-8,6 Pb niż poziom próchniczny analizowanych gleb. Analiza różnych gleb pokrywających las ochronny HMG pozwoliła wskazać na znaczącą rolę składu granulometrycznego, zawartości węgla organicznego oraz odczynu na stabilizację migracji Cu i Pb w środowisku.