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Chemical Fractionation, Environmental, and Human Health Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Soil of Industrialised Urban Areas in Serbia

Author

Listed:
  • Dragana Pavlović

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

  • Marija Pavlović

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

  • Veljko Perović

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

  • Zorana Mataruga

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

  • Dragan Čakmak

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

  • Miroslava Mitrović

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

  • Pavle Pavlović

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

Abstract

The primary focus of this research was the chemical fractionation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and their presence in several industrialised cities in Serbia. Furthermore, their origin, contamination levels, and environmental and human health risks were assessed. The results indicated that the examined soils were characterised by slightly higher Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn levels than those set by European and national regulations. These elevated Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations were caused by intensive traffic and proximity to industry, whereas the higher Ni levels were a result of the specific geological substrate of the soil in the study area. The environmental risk was found to be low and there was no enrichment/contamination of the soil with these elements, except in the case of Pb, for which moderate to significant enrichment was found. Lead also poses a potential non-carcinogenic risk to children through ingestion and requires special attention due to the fact that a significant proportion of this element was present in the tested soil samples in a potentially available form. Analysis of the health risks showed that children are more at risk than adults from contaminants and that ingestion is the riskiest exposure route. The carcinogenic risk was within the acceptable limits.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:9412-:d:630126
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
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