Abstract
The protection against eco- and human-toxicological impairments caused by atmospheric deposition of heavy metals requires legally defined assessment values. Since such values are missing for Luxembourg, the aim of this investigation was to evaluate different approaches to derive assessment values for the regulation of heavy metals that are in accordance with scientific and legal standards. To this end, assessment values for heavy metals were derived from the compilation of respective values implemented in European countries. In addition, (1) precipitation-related assessment values for the protection of soil for Cr, Zn, and Cu and (2) precautionary assessment values (critical loads for Cr, Zn, and Cu, as well as As, Cd, Ni, and Pb) for the protection of human health and ecosystems were calculated. The calculation of the regionally differentiated precipitation-related assessment values resulted in ranges of 17–272 g Cu ha−1 a−1, 167–2672 g Zn ha−1 a−1 and 17–272 g Crtotal ha−1 a−1. The critical loads for drinking water protection vary in the ranges from 1.23 to 2.14 g Cd ha−1 a−1, from 4.05 to 8.63 g Pb ha−1 a−1, from 2.6 to 5.9 g As ha−1 a−1, from 258 to 564 g Cu ha−1 a−1, from 1292 to 2944 g Zn ha−1 a−1, and from 12.9 to 29.9 g Crtotal ha−1 a−1. Ecosystems are significantly more sensitive to Pb, Cu, and Zn inputs than humans. For As and Cr, humans react much more sensitively than ecosystems. For Cd, the critical loads for drinking water, ecosystems, and wheat products are about the same.
Highlights
When, in the middle of the last century, several thousand people in the Japanese cities of Minamata and Niigata became ill from damage to the nervous system and some died, the international public became aware for the first time of the environmental pollution caused by heavy metals
Since such values are missing for Luxembourg, the aim of this investigation was to evaluate different approaches to derive assessment values for the regulation of heavy metals that are in accordance with scientific and legal standards
While the values of the TA Luft [14], the 39th BImSchV [12] and the European Union (EU) Position Paper [8] as well as the value for settlements according to Prinz and Bachmann [23] focus on the protection of humans in case of direct contact with soil in settlement areas, the assessment values for the soil–groundwater impact pathway of the BBodSchV [13] as well as the CL(M)drink consider the protection of humans in case of ingestion of drinking water from the groundwater reservoir
Summary
In the middle of the last century, several thousand people in the Japanese cities of Minamata and Niigata became ill from damage to the nervous system and some died, the international public became aware for the first time of the environmental pollution caused by heavy metals. The cause of this poisoning, later referred to as Minamata disease, was wastewater contaminated with Hg from plastic production that was discharged into the sea.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
