Abstract
The research area located in south-eastern Poland is exposed to alkaline pressure from a cement plant in Nowiny, which has been operating there since 1960. Both biotic and abiotic components of the natural environment remain in the zone of the plant’s negative impact. Their reaction, described according to the concept of geo- and bioindicators, provides valuable information on the state of the natural environment in this area. In 2016–2018, the properties of precipitation were being investigated by determining its pH, EC (specific electrolytic conductivity), and chemical composition in terms of the presence of selected heavy metals. Additionally, the chemical composition of samples of two-year-old pine needles, bark, and wood, as well as soil taken from the immediate vicinity of the cement plant, was analyzed. The analysis performed using the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer-Time-of-Flight (ICP-MS-TOF) showed the presence of heavy metals. The highest contents were recorded in soils (Pb 123 mg·kg−1; Cr 138 mg·kg−1; Cu 18 mg·kg−1; Zn 699 mg·kg−1), while the lowest ones were found in the wooden cores of drilled trees (Pb 0.1 mg·kg−1; Cr 1 mg·kg−1; Cu 0.1 mg·kg−1; Zn 4.1 mg·kg−1). On the basis of the research conducted on precipitation, it was found that the pH and EC values were increased, and the presence of heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Ni, and Cu) indicating a local source of pollution was indicated.
Highlights
Bioindication allows one to determine the reaction of a living organism to air pollution
As a result of local emissions, the chemical composition of atmospheric precipitation in this region shows the influence of dust pollution from a nearby cement plant
The observed values of the contents of metals analyzed in precipitation are characterized by a large variation throughout a year
Summary
Cement Plant in Nowiny was established in 1960 It produces Portland cement using the dry method and ready-mixed concrete. The plant’s production capacity is up to 500 tons of cement per 24 h and up to 260 tons of concrete per 24 h. The dust emitted to the atmosphere from the technological process of cement production contains potentially toxic heavy metals, strongly affecting the natural environment [8]. The aim of this research is to determine the direction of heavy metal migration from cement dust to the natural environment by using selected geoindicators (precipitation, soil) and bioindicators (bark, needles, pine wood). Bioindication allows one to determine the reaction of a living organism to air pollution (including heavy metals contained in dust). Due to its common occurrence, we decided to use Scots pine as a bioindicator [11]
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