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Presence of the Potential Toxic Metals (PTMs) in the urban and peri-urban topsoils
  • +1
  • Petra Vrhovnik,
  • Matej Dolenec,
  • Anja Ilenič,
  • Alenka Mauko Pranjić
Petra Vrhovnik
Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute

Corresponding Author:petra.vrhovnik@gmail.com

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Matej Dolenec
2University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering
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Anja Ilenič
Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute
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Alenka Mauko Pranjić
Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute
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Abstract

The occurrence of the PTEs contamination in the environment resulting from the point or diffuse sources increases with globalization and population growth. Anyway the benefits of home gardening for the physiological and physical well-being, as well as uncertainties regarding food supply chain in the case of Covid-19, the desire to use home-grown (local) food is increasing more and more. There is no information available on the PTE pollution of urban soils used for the food production in Slovenia. Therefore, the main goal of present study is the characterization of urban gardens and agricultural areas affected by flooded sediments. The total concentrations of PTEs in soil and sediment samples were ICP-MS. The concentrations of PTEs (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) exceeded the permissible limit values defined in Slovenian Official Gazette. To define the natural or artificial origin of PTEs, the mineralogical composition of the selected soils and sediments was determined. The results obtained in present study were correlated with the national background values measured in the upper soil horizon and showed elevated concentrations. In addition to the environmental issues, the social aspect of potential impacts of PTEs on human health and safety was investigated. The results show that despite the numerous local, national and international plans and measures, greater awareness of the general public is needed to understand the hazardous effects of PTEs and the need for appropriate management of contaminated soil in the case contaminated areas.
09 Jun 2021Submitted to Land Degradation & Development
18 Jun 2021Submission Checks Completed
18 Jun 2021Assigned to Editor
06 Jul 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
02 Sep 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
11 Sep 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Major
09 Nov 20211st Revision Received
09 Nov 2021Submission Checks Completed
09 Nov 2021Assigned to Editor
13 Jan 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
14 Jan 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
10 Feb 20222nd Revision Received