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Are Natural or Anthropogenic Factors Influencing Potentially Toxic Elements’ Enrichment in Soils in Proglacial Zones? An Example from Kaffiøyra (Oscar II Land, Spitsbergen)

Author

Listed:
  • Joanna Beata Kowalska

    (Institute of Soil Science, Plant Nutrition and Environmental Protection, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Grunwaldzka 53, 50-357 Wroclaw, Poland)

  • Paweł Nicia

    (Department of Soil Science and Agrophysics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland)

  • Michał Gąsiorek

    (Department of Soil Science and Agrophysics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland)

  • Paweł Zadrożny

    (Department of Soil Science and Agrophysics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland)

  • Michał Hubert Węgrzyn

    (Department of Polar Research and Documentation, Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University, Kopernika 27, 31-501 Kraków, Poland)

  • Jarosław Waroszewski

    (Institute of Soil Science, Plant Nutrition and Environmental Protection, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Grunwaldzka 53, 50-357 Wroclaw, Poland)

Abstract

Arctic soils may hold potentially toxic elements (PTE); PTE can provide evidence of past or recent pollution. In this study, five soil profiles located on Oscar II Land (Kaffiøyra) were studied to (i) evaluate the ecological status of Kaffiøyra’s soils based on the determination of the possible accumulation of PTE using pollution indices; and (ii) determine the possible origin of PTE enrichment (local factors vs. long-range sources) depending on the distance from the sea. The soils were tested with standard soil science methods. The contamination of five soils was assessed by a wide spectrum of pollution soil indices: Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (I geo ), Potential Ecological Risk (RI), Pollution Load Index (PLI), and Probability of Toxicity (MERMQ). EF values calculated based on Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn content indicated an anthropogenic origin of the pollution. Values of I geo showed the highest pollution with Cd, while CSI and MERMQ values indicated the highest Cd and Pb levels, but only in the soils located closest to the coast. RI values suggested that soils were under a strong or very strong potential ecological risk, whereas PLI confirmed the high probability of soil quality reduction. Enrichment with PTE has been conditioned by both local (natural) and long-distance (anthropogenic) factors. Among the local factors, parent material was highly relevant. The effect of long-distance anthropogenic factors, especially from European, large industrial centres, was manifested by the high content of PTE in soils located closest to the coastlines, delivered by a wet deposition and sea aerosols. The monitoring and assessment of arctic soil quality are useful practices for the verification of the sources of PTE pollution and the development of methods that can contribute to the protection and maintenance of these vulnerable ecosystems.

Suggested Citation

  • Joanna Beata Kowalska & Paweł Nicia & Michał Gąsiorek & Paweł Zadrożny & Michał Hubert Węgrzyn & Jarosław Waroszewski, 2022. "Are Natural or Anthropogenic Factors Influencing Potentially Toxic Elements’ Enrichment in Soils in Proglacial Zones? An Example from Kaffiøyra (Oscar II Land, Spitsbergen)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13703-:d:949742
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. A. Lev & R. H. King, 1999. "Spatial variation of soil development in a high arctic soil landscape: Truelove Lowland, Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 10(3), pages 289-307, July.
    2. Fiammetta Straneo & Patrick Heimbach, 2013. "North Atlantic warming and the retreat of Greenland's outlet glaciers," Nature, Nature, vol. 504(7478), pages 36-43, December.
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