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Spatial Distribution and Evaluation of Arsenic and Zinc Content in the Soil of a Karst Landscape

Author

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  • Dimitrios E. Alexakis

    (Laboratory of Geoenvironmental Science and Environmental Quality Assurance, Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of West Attica, 250 Thivon & P.Ralli Str., 12241 Athens, Greece)

  • George D. Bathrellos

    (Division of General, Marine Geology and Geodynamics, Department of Geology, University of Patras, 26504 Rio Patras, Greece)

  • Hariklia D. Skilodimou

    (Department of Geography and Climatology, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University Campus, 15784 Zografos Athens, Greece)

  • Dimitra E. Gamvroula

    (Laboratory of Geoenvironmental Science and Environmental Quality Assurance, Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of West Attica, 250 Thivon & P.Ralli Str., 12241 Athens, Greece)

Abstract

Karst features such as polje are highly vulnerable to natural and anthropogenic pollution. The main objectives of this study were to investigate the soil quality in the Ioannina polje (north-west Greece) concerning arsenic (As) and zinc (Zn), and delineate their origin as well as compare the As and Zn content in soil with criteria recorded in the literature. For this purpose, the geomorphological settings, the land use, and the soil physicochemical properties were mapped and evaluated, including soil texture and concentrations of aqua-regia extractable As and Zn. The concentration of elements was spatially correlated with the land use and the geology of the study area, while screening values were applied to assess land suitability. The results reveal that 72% of the total study area has a very gentle slope. This relief favors urban and agricultural activity. Thus, the urban and agricultural land used cover 92% of the total area. The spatial distribution for As and Zn in the soil of the study area is located on very gentle slopes and is strongly correlated with the geological parent materials and human-induced contamination sources. Arsenic and Zn can be considered enriched in the soil of the area studied. The median topsoil contents (in mg kg −1 ) for As (agricultural soil 16.0; urban soil 17.8) and Zn (agricultural soil 92.0; urban soil 95.0) are higher compared to the corresponding median values of European topsoils. Land evaluation suitability concerning criteria given from the literature is discussed. The proposed work may be helpful in the project of land use planning and the protection of the natural environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Dimitrios E. Alexakis & George D. Bathrellos & Hariklia D. Skilodimou & Dimitra E. Gamvroula, 2021. "Spatial Distribution and Evaluation of Arsenic and Zinc Content in the Soil of a Karst Landscape," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:12:p:6976-:d:579098
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. George Panagopoulos & George Bathrellos & Hariklia Skilodimou & Faini Martsouka, 2012. "Mapping Urban Water Demands Using Multi-Criteria Analysis and GIS," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 26(5), pages 1347-1363, March.
    2. Dimitrios E. Alexakis, 2021. "Multielement Contamination of Land in the Margin of Highways," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-13, February.
    3. Hariklia D. Skilodimou & George D. Bathrellos & Dimitrios E. Alexakis, 2021. "Flood Hazard Assessment Mapping in Burned and Urban Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-16, April.
    4. Sapfo Τsolaki-Fiaka & George D. Bathrellos & Hariklia D. Skilodimou, 2018. "Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for an Abandoned Quarry in the Evros Region (NE Greece)," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-16, April.
    5. George D. Bathrellos & Hariklia D. Skilodimou, 2019. "Land Use Planning for Natural Hazards," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-4, August.
    6. Hariklia D. Skilodimou & George D. Bathrellos & Efterpi Koskeridou & Konstantinos Soukis & Dimitrios Rozos, 2018. "Physical and Anthropogenic Factors Related to Landslide Activity in the Northern Peloponnese, Greece," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-18, July.
    7. Dimitrios E. Alexakis, 2020. "Contaminated Land by Wildfire Effect on Ultramafic Soil and Associated Human Health and Ecological Risk," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-16, October.
    8. George D. Bathrellos & Hariklia D. Skilodimou & Konstantinos Soukis & Efterpi Koskeridou, 2018. "Temporal and Spatial Analysis of Flood Occurrences in the Drainage Basin of Pinios River (Thessaly, Central Greece)," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-18, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Liaqat Ali & Shehzad Ali & Seema Anjum Khattak & Hammad Tariq Janjuhah & George Kontakiotis & Rahib Hussain & Shah Rukh & Mohammad Tahir Shah & George D. Bathrellos & Hariklia D. Skilodimou, 2023. "Distribution, Risk Assessment and Source Identification of Potentially Toxic Elements in Coal Mining Contaminated Soils of Makarwal, Pakistan: Environmental and Human Health Outcomes," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Hariklia D. Skilodimou & George D. Bathrellos, 2021. "Natural and Technological Hazards in Urban Areas: Assessment, Planning and Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-5, July.

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