Sources of Soil and Plant Contamination in an Urban Environment and Possible Assessment Methods

摘要

A survey was carried out in the city of Brno, Czech Republic in order to determine the levels and sources of soil and plant contamination and the possible implications for human health. A group of 136 topsoil and plant samples were taken in a defined sampling pattern, both in urban (in the year 1991) and suburban (1992) areas, paying particular attention to traffic density and intensity of land use. Samples were analysed for the contents of six heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The main soil characteristics were also determined (pH, CEC, Cox).