Sulphate sulphur concentration in vegetable crops, soil and ground water in the region affected by the sulphur dioxide emission from Płock oil refinery (central Poland)

Abstract

Research was carried out in 1984–1990 in the region affected by the sulphur dioxide emission from one of the greatest oil refineries in Europe (Plock, central Poland). The sulphate sulphur concentration in the vegetable crops (red beet, carrot, parsley, bean, cabbage and dill), the soil and in ground water was defined in selected allotment gardens of Plock city and in a household garden located in the rural area about 25 km from the town. The highest amount of sulphate sulphur was found in the vegetable crops cultivated in the garden situated in the closest vicinity of the refinery. Sulphate sulphur contents harmful for plants (above 0.50 per cent d.m.) were noted in cabbage and carrot leaves in almost all the gardens (except one). The soil in all examined gardens was characterised by high sulphate sulphur concentration, which considerably exceeds the maximum amount admissible for light soils in Poland, i.e. 0.004 per cent Am. The sulphate sulphur concentration in ground water in all the gardens exceeded the highest permissible content in drinking water in Poland (200 mg*dm−3 of sulphate or about 67 mg*dm−3 of sulphate sulphur). The sulphate sulphur content in the soil and ground water was not significantly dependent on the garden's distance from the refinery. Generally, the abovenormal sulphate sulphur concentrations occurred quite universally in the examined region and they concerned all the considered environmental components (vegetable crops, soil, ground water) and all the gardens.