Abstract
The paper demonstrates the actual level of chromium contamination at the site of the old tannery waste lagoon in Serniki community (SE Poland). Despite the fact that since 1994 this area is not exploited, the chromium presence is still detected in soil, water and plants. The current study is the 4th phase (after 1989, 2001 and 2004) of checking and controlling the chromium concentration in this territory. The chromium content was assessed after soil and plant mineralization using FAAS method. Total chromium concentrations in soil samples reached values of 2.25 - 18.25 mg·kg-1 dry mass. Levels of chromium in water samples ranged between 0.008 and 0.017 mg·dm-3 for Wieprz River and the trough, situated in the tannery centre, respectively. Absorption of chromium by plants depended from the plant species. The highest Cr content in the stalks of Oenothera biennis, whilst the lowest in Phragmites australis were detected. Finally, it was assumed that soil chromium content noted in 2009 was by 42% - 83% lower in relation to the data from 2004. Consequently, nowadays the tannery waste lagoon site is not so threat to the health of local residents and to the surrounding ecosystem.
Highlights
Chromium is a heavy metal which presence in soil, water and atmosphere can be hazardous to the natural environment [1,2,3]
Total chromium concentration in water sample originated from Wieprz River reached 0.008 mg·dm−3 and 0.017 mg·dm−3 in the sample taken from the trough situated in the tannery centre
The highest total chromium concentration was found in the following plant samples: stalks of Oenothera biennis (WD) and leaves of Quercus petraea (DB), where Cr content was on the level: 11 mg·kg−1 and 5.5 mg·kg−1 for WD and DB, respectively
Summary
Chromium is a heavy metal which presence in soil, water and atmosphere can be hazardous to the natural environment [1,2,3]. Chromium is commonly used in various industries such as metallurgical, refractory, chemical pigments, electroplating and tanning [5,6]. One of reasons is that this element is constantly considered as a “local source” contaminant, whilst the second is that the dominant naturally occurring form of chromium, Cr2O3, is known essentially immobile and non-toxic in the environment [10]. Based on above presented assumptions we have started a monitoring program aiming to assess the actual chromium accumulation in the soils, waters and plants of a tannery waste lagoon vicinity in SE Poland. By realized measurements of pH and Eh in the soil samples the estimation of the dominant form of chromium was possible
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
