Contamination of soils with heavy metals in the industrialized region of western Ukraine - western Podole Upland.

Abstract

Contamination of surface soil horizons with heavy metals is usually related to long-lasting air pollution and might poten- tially affect soil fauna, as well as plant growth, harvesting and health of plant consumer. In order to estimate potential health risk, we investigated surface and subsurface soil contamination with heavy metals in arabie area in one of the most industrial­ized region of western Ukraine, western Podole Upland. In total 80 samples from the area of about 35 km 2 were sampled and ana­lyzed for content of zinc, nickel, copper, cobalt, lead, arsenie and quicksilver. The research revealed several anomalies, where the content of these elements exceed 3-5 Ukrainian quality guidance for arabie soils. Soils are the most contaminated with arsenie and quicksilver, with maximum concentrations exceeding local geo- ehemieal baekground about 20 times. Maximum niekel and zine concentrations are about 10 times higher than the baekground while the content of copper and cobalt is elevated up to several times