Grzegorz Kusza

Traffic-Related Pollutants in Roadside Soils of Different Countries in Europe and Asia

We investigated the magnetic and chemical properties of the roadside soil samples collected from five European and Asian countries. Spots in which cars slowed down and/or accelerated due to the traffic organization (speed limits, junctions, and traffic lights) were selected for sampling. Apart from the Zabrze site (Poland), the magnetic susceptibility and heavy metal contents decreased with increasing distance from the road edge. The highest mass-specific magnetic susceptibility values (χ) were observed in the samples collected from Mumbai (India) and Zabrze (Poland). Moreover, the high contents of Fe, Ni, Mn, and Co were observed in Mumbai, whereas in Zabrze, all the examined elements demonstrated high contents, except for Co. Analyses revealed that magnetite was the main magnetic mineral in the roadside soil samples. The high correlation coefficients (r = 0.87) between the magnetic susceptibility values and the total Fe content demonstrated that Fe occurred mainly as ferrimagnetic particles of technogenic origin resulting from traffic emissions. The traffic origin of the pollutants was also confirmed by the increased contents of the typically anthropogenic metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, and Cu) and a good correlation (r = 0.83) between the Ti and Mo contents, which do not occur in natural associations. The ratio between particular polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and high content of PAHs typical for car exhaust also implied traffic as their main source.

Characteristics of current roadside pollution using test-monitoring plots

The aim of the study was the qualitative recognition of the existing roadside pollutants deposited in topsoils located close to roads with high traffic volume. So far, the studies have helped to determine the content of pollutants that accumulated over a long period of time. Traditionally, it has been difficult to distinguish between roadside pollution and pollution from other industrial sources. In order to avoid such problems and to accurately recognize present threats originating from road traffic, test-monitoring plots were installed in Poland (Gliwice and Opole), Germany (Tübingen, Ulm and Böblingen), Finland (Helsinki), Tajikistan (Dushanbe) and China (Lanzhou). To install the monitoring plots, the upper 7 cm of topsoil was removed and replaced with boxes filled with clean quartz sand. The sand, with a known chemical composition and neutral magnetic (diamagnetic) properties, was considered as a neutral matrix for the accumulation of traffic pollutants. Within 24 months of exposure, both the magnetic susceptibility values and heavy metal content increased, but with highly diverse differences. The highest values were observed in Germany, Tajikistan and China. Correlation coefficients between the magnetic susceptibility values and investigated elements, as well as PAHs indicate that magnetic susceptibility is a geophysical parameter that can be used, under defined conditions, as an indicator of soil pollution caused by traffic emissions.

Pollution of Flooded Arable Soils with Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Soils that are exposed to floodwaters because of shallow groundwater and periodical wetlands are, to a large extent, exposed to contamination by organic and inorganic compounds. These are mainly compounds that have drifted along with the inflow of heavily laden floodwater and are produced within the soil profile by the anaerobic transformation of organic matter. Heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds are absorbed by the soil of the floodwaters, and moving in the soil profile, they pose a threat to groundwater. What is more, after a flood, they may be absorbed by the crops. This paper focuses on the effects of Odra River (Poland) floods, heavy metals, and PAHs on soil and the possibilities of the migration of these pollutants into the soil profile. In the tested sludge samples of floodwater and soil, there were no abnormal concentrations of heavy metals, but the flooding time positively affected the amount listed in the test samples. Concentrations of PAHs increased, but they also exceeded the standards for arable soils in the case of single compounds.

Magnetic Susceptibility and Heavy Metal Content in Dust From the Lime Plant and the Cement Plant in Opole Voivodeship

Magnetic Susceptibility and Heavy Metal Content in Dust From the Lime Plant and the Cement Plant in Opole Voivodeship Until now, dust arising from lime manufacture has been considered harmless to the environment so it has been investigated marginally from the standpoint of environmental protection, especially when it came to magnetic properties and heavy metal content. The aim of the research was filling the gap in this area. The research comprised measurements of magnetic susceptibility, the content of heavy metals, reaction (pH) and specific conductivity of lime dust and also raw material and fuel used for lime production. The samples were taken from one of the lime plants located in Opole Province. Similar investigations were also performed for dust taken from the nearby cement plant using dry method of cement production. It was proven that magnetic susceptibility, heavy metal content and conductivity of lime dust was lower in comparison to cement dust, which resulted from the fact that the lime plant used neither low raw materials nor additives. Due to the high atmosphere dust level in the vicinity of the investigated plants, extremely basic reaction of the tested dust and high content of metals, the studied dust cause alkalization of soils and contribute to the increase of heavy metal content in soils, posing a threat to the environment. Podatność Magnetyczna i Zawartość Metali Ciężkich w Pyłach z Zakładu Wapienniczego w Województwie Opolskim Pyły powstające przy produkcji wapna uważane były za nieszkodliwe dla środowiska i w związku z tym były one badane marginalnie, szczególnie jeśli chodzi o właściwości magnetyczne i zawartość metali ciężkich. Celem prezentowanych badań było uzupełnienie luki w tym zakresie. Badania obejmowały pomiary podatności magnetycznej oraz oznaczenia zawartości metali ciężkich, pH i przewodnictwa właściwego pyłów wapienniczych, a także surowca i paliwa, używanego do produkcji wapna. Próbki zostały pobrane w jednym z zakładów wapienniczych województwa opolskiego. Podobne badania wykonano także dla pyłów pobranych w pobliskiej cementowni stosującej suchą metodę produkcji cementu. Wykazano, że podatność magnetyczna, zawartość metali ciężkich i przewodnictwo właściwe pyłów wapienniczych jest niższe w porównaniu do cementowych, co wynikało z faktu, że zakład wapienniczy nie stosował surowców niskich ani dodatków. Z powodu dużego opadu pyłu w rejonie badanego zakładu oraz bardzo wysokiego odczynu pyłów wapienniczych, mogą one powodować alkalizację gleb i przyczyniać się do wzrostu zawartości w nich metali ciężkich, stwarzając zagrożenie dla środowiska.

The Impact of Grain Size Composition and Organic Matter Content on Magnetic Susceptibility of Anthropogenically Transformed Bottom Sediments, as Exemplified by the Former Naval Harbour in Hel

The article presents the results of an analysis of the surface layer of bottom sediments in the naval harbour in Hel. During field work conducted in June 2013, 54 sediment samples were collected. The aim of the study was to examine magnetic susceptibility of harbour sediment as a parameter determining the degree of anthropopressure. As part of laboratory tests, grain size analysis was performed in order to determine organic matter content and magnetic susceptibility of the sediment. The study also measured the impact of environmental factors on fluctuations in the other studied parameters. The results demonstrate increased dynamics of sedimentary environment in the open part of the naval harbour, better sediment sorting and reduced percentage share of <0.063 mm grain size fraction. Variability in magnetic susceptibility values measured in isolated parts of the harbour correlates with increased percentage share of the fine fraction and LOI%. A significant impact on the accumulation of pollutants in surface sediments is exerted by the harbour’s closed hydrodynamic conditions.

Application of Magnetic Susceptibility Measurements for Identification of Technogenic Horizons in Soil Profiles on the Example of the Vistula River Cross-Cut Area

Studies on magnetic properties of soils have been recently applied in the soil environment quality monitoring in relation to basic physical and chemical properties. However, the issue of distribution of ferrimagnetic materials in particular genetic soil horizons, especially in altered soils, has not yet been considered in environmental studies. The main subject of the research was to evaluate a potential of magnetic susceptibility measurements as implements for supporting the soil classification through indication of particular distinctive genetic horizons in the soil profile. The study objects were soils whose formation was strictly conditioned by hydrotechnical regulations in the area of the Vistula River Cross-Cut (northern Poland). It has been demonstrated that the magnetic susceptibility test is an accurate supporting tool in recognition and classification of genetic horizons in a soil profile. The obtained results properly reflected the soil morphological variability and also were good indicators of the presence of lithologic discontinuities of technogenic origin.

Sediment origin and pedogenesis in the former mill pond basin of Turznice (north-central Poland) based on magnetic susceptibility measurements

Abstract This paper aims to assess the usefulness of magnetic susceptibility measurements in pedological studies of mill pond sediments. The study area includes the former Turznice mill pond basin located in the south-eastern part of the Grudziądz Basin. Four soil profiles were selected within the transect located along the longitudinal axis of the basin. The following soil properties were determined in the collected samples: bulk density, particle size distribution, pH, content of carbonates, approximate content of organic matter (LOI), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (Nt), and the pseudo-total contents of metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cd). The obtained results were correlated with the specific (mass) magnetic susceptibility (χ). This study revealed that the variability of the soil cover in the basin was driven by different sedimentation conditions. The different composition of natural terrace deposits versus mill pond sediments has been well reflected in the magnetic properties. However, the possibility cannot be excluded that a pedogenic (gleyic) process is the key factor causing the vertical variability of magnetic properties in studied soils.

Human-induced changes in the soil cover at the mouth of the Vistula River Cross-Cut (northern Poland)

Abstract The aim of this paper is to determine the impact of human activity on the soil formation at the mouth of the Vistula Cross-Cut (northern Poland). The detailed research was conducted in the test area (about 500 ha) for which the soil map was created. The three major soil belts were distinguished, grouping the soils formed on marine, aeolian and technogenic sediments, deposited both naturally and anthropogenically as a result of the hydrotechnical works. Initial soils, arenosols, gleysols, brackish marsh soils and industrial soils predominate across the study area. Most of them were characterized by high spatial diversity and multi-layering. Their properties reflected varied dynamics of the local environment on both sides of the river channel, greatly enhanced by the human activity. Based of the obtained results, some proposals concerning arenosols, marsh soils and industrial soils for the Polish Soil Classification (2011) were presented.