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Fractionation of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in Urban Soils from Salzburg, Thessaloniki and Belgrade: An Insight into Source Identification and Human Health Risk Assessment

Author

Listed:
  • Pavle Pavlović

    (Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Thomas Sawidis

    (Department of Botany, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Jürgen Breuste

    (Department of Geography and Geology, University of Salzburg, 5010 Salzburg, Austria)

  • Olga Kostić

    (Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Dragan Čakmak

    (Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Dragana Đorđević

    (Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Njegoševa 12, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Dragana Pavlović

    (Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Marija Pavlović

    (Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Veljko Perović

    (Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Miroslava Mitrović

    (Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia)

Abstract

Concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were measured in topsoil samples collected from parks in the cities of Salzburg (Austria), Thessaloniki (Greece), and Belgrade (Serbia) in order to assess the distribution of PTEs in the urban environment, discriminate natural (lithogenic) and anthropogenic contributions, identify possible sources of pollution, and compare levels of pollution between the cities. An assessment of the health risks caused by exposure to PTEs through different pathways was also conducted. The study revealed that, with the exception of Pb in Salzburg, levels of PTEs in the soils in polluted urban parks were higher than in unpolluted ones, but still lower than those recorded in other European soils. Results of sequential analyses showed that Al, Cr, and Ni were found in residual phases, proving their predominantly lithogenic origin and their low mobility. In contrast, the influence of anthropogenic factors on Cu, Pb, and Zn was evident. Site-dependent variations showed that the highest concentrations of As, Cu, Pb, and Zn of anthropogenic origin were recorded in Salzburg, while the highest levels of Al, Cr, and Ni of lithogenic origin were recorded in Belgrade and Thessaloniki, which reflects the specificity of the geological substrates. Results obtained for the health risk assessment showed that no human health risk was found for either children or adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Pavle Pavlović & Thomas Sawidis & Jürgen Breuste & Olga Kostić & Dragan Čakmak & Dragana Đorđević & Dragana Pavlović & Marija Pavlović & Veljko Perović & Miroslava Mitrović, 2021. "Fractionation of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in Urban Soils from Salzburg, Thessaloniki and Belgrade: An Insight into Source Identification and Human Health Risk Assessment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:6014-:d:568268
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gang Wang & Hou-Qi Liu & Yu Gong & Yang Wei & Ai-Jun Miao & Liu-Yan Yang & Huan Zhong, 2017. "Risk Assessment of Metals in Urban Soils from a Typical Industrial City, Suzhou, Eastern China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-17, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dragana Pavlović & Marija Pavlović & Veljko Perović & Zorana Mataruga & Dragan Čakmak & Miroslava Mitrović & Pavle Pavlović, 2021. "Chemical Fractionation, Environmental, and Human Health Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Soil of Industrialised Urban Areas in Serbia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-28, September.

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