Abstract
The main aim of this study was to characterize heavy metal compounds of sweep sand particles in the city of Vilnius (Lithuania). These research results provide new insight into the distribution and variation of heavy metal compounds in sweep sand in the studied area. The results of this investigation reflect the level of heavy metal pollution during the winter season, thus can be used to judge the quality of storm water flowing from streets. The major heavy metals found to have accumulated were lead, nickel, zinc and copper. These research results are useful for conducting preliminary evaluations of possible heavy metal pollution in other similar cities within the European Union. The general anthropogenic factor of three main types of land-use has the greatest influence on contamination of urban topsoil. In industrial sites, concentrations of key contaminants (Pb, Cu, Mn, Ni) are significantly higher than in residential and public–residential areas. The present article discussed the significance of systematic sustainable evaluation as one of the most important activities associated with a sustainable approach. Consequently, to reduce a negative effect of salts on street environment, measures of environmentally sustainable development have to be undertaken.
Highlights
Ecological studies have shown significant exposure-response relationships for adverse pollution effects in association with particulate mass concentrations (Poszyler-Adamska, Czerniak 2007; Staniūnas et al 2010)
Results from the chemical analysis were verified by means of chemical mass closure (CMC) (Sillanpää et al 2006). These results provide new insight into the distribution and variation of heavy metal compounds in sweep sand in the studied area
The results of this investigation reflect the level of heavy metal pollution during the winter season, results can be used to judge the quality of stormwater flowing from streets
Summary
Ecological studies have shown significant exposure-response relationships for adverse pollution effects in association with particulate mass concentrations (Poszyler-Adamska, Czerniak 2007; Staniūnas et al 2010). Ultrafine particles are of particular interest in environment-related studies due to their high concentration in urban environments and the ability to penetrate deep into environmentally sensitive regions of the city (Xia et al 2004; Christoforidis, Stamatis 2009; Dagiliūtė, Juknys 2012, Kaplanović, Mijailović 2012). Recent ecological studies suggest that adverse response per unit mass is associated more strongly with ultrafine particles rather than fine or coarse particles. There are several types of highly toxic heavy metal compounds in sweep sand including chromium, copper, lead, nickel and other heavy metal compounds, which may have acute effects (Baltrėnas, Vaišis 2006). If pollution effects can be linked to certain sources of particulate matter, such information would be highly valuable for targeting control strategies (Arhami et al 2009)
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