Elements In Topsoil Research Articles

Using iterative 2δ‐technique and 4δ‐outlier test for evaluating the geochemical background concentrations of trace elements in topsoil at Cao Bang province, Vietnam

AbstractThis study investigated the geochemical background values for seven trace elements in topsoil samples collected from highland areas within Cao Bang province, Vietnam. Total concentrations of these elements were determined, revealing the following order of mean concentration: Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > As > Ni > Co. The background values were calculated using two different methods including iterative 2δ‐technique and 4δ‐outlier test. The 4δ‐outlier test yielded the following background concentrations (dry weight) for the seven elements: As (24.41 ± 12.42 mg kg−1), Co (15.64 ± 10.57 mg kg−1), Cr (49.31 ± 33.41 mg kg−1), Cu (29.77 ± 27.14 mg kg−1), Ni (22.52 ± 13.33 mg kg−1), Pb (38.06 ± 31.48 mg kg−1), Zn (71.79 61.09 mg kg−1). The 2δ‐technique, on the other hand, resulted in the following background concentrations (dry weight) for the same elements: As (8.41 ± 8.57 mg kg−1), Co (5.06 ± 4.31 mg kg−1), Cr (26.72 ± 26.20 mg kg−1), Cu (25.31 ± 24.81 mg kg−1), Ni (8.02 ± 7.83 mg kg−1), Pb (28.12 ± 27.58 mg kg−1), Zn (51.91 ± 49.44 mg kg−1). These results provide valuable baseline data for future environmental assessments and monitoring programs in the region. They also highlight the potential impact of human activities, such as mining, on the geochemical landscape of highland areas.

Concentrations of Potentially Toxic Elements in Topsoils of Urban Agricultural Areas of Rome

Urban agricultural soils have important social, environmental, and economic roles in big cities, contributing to their sustainability. However, food production in urban soils may be compromised due to soil pollution that resulted from decades of industrial, non-regulated environmental activity and mobile transport. In this study, 12 soils from the urban agricultural area of Rome (Italy) were analyzed for the potentially toxic elements (PTEs) Be, Ba, Pb, Co, Ni, V, Zn, Hg, Cd, As, Cu, and Cr. All but one of the soils under analysis were characterized by at least one PTE concentration above the threshold limit defined by the D.Lgs 152/06 for agricultural soils. Multivariate analysis showed that the soils could be classified into five clusters: clusters I and II had relatively lower mean PTE concentrations; clusters III, IV, and V had relatively higher mean PTE concentrations with several PTE concentrations above the threshold proposed by ILD. Three factors contributing to the variability of the PTE’s concentration in the soils under investigation were identified: a geological factor related to PTE As, Ba, Be, and V; an anthropogenic factor related to Pb and Cu; and a mixed factor related to Co, Cr, Ni, and Zn. High PTE content may limit the utilization of urban soils for food production.

Search for the Substantiation of Reasonable Native Elemental Background Values and Reference Variables in Topsoil on Glaciogenic and Postglacial Deposits in a Vilnius Peri-Urban Area

Geochemical indices used to identify the emerging anomalies of potentially harmful elements in topsoil depend on background values (BVs). For urban sites, it is reasonable to estimate native BVs through the targeted selection of peri-urban sampling sites or by distinguishing a useful background subset (BS) within the peri-urban dataset. Here, the goals were to examine the influence of Quaternary deposits on various types of topsoil variables, identify the variables most helpful for cluster analysis intended for the choice of background subset (BS), and compare background values (BVs) based on different background subsets. Composite topsoil samples from a peri-urban area were used for the determination of the following variables: contents of 26 elements and components of the bulk mineralogical composition, as well as the sand, silt, and clay fractions and loss-on-ignition (LOI) at 550 °C and at 950 °C. Although Quaternary lithology influences topsoil elemental contents or granulometric fractions, percentages of illite, kaolinite, orthoclase, quartz, albite, dolomite, and LOI at 550 °C, the choice of BS, according to it, is not recommended, as BVs based on topsoil texture are superior. However, cluster analysis using topsoil fractions < 2, <63, and >63 μm or the contents of Al, Fe, K, Ti, Ga, Nb, Rb, and Si are preferable. It is recommended to use these reference variables for the selection of BS.

Assessment of land use effect, mapping of human health risks and chemometric analysis of potential toxic elements in topsoils of Aran-o-Bidgol, Iran.

This study examines topsoil contamination in Aran-o-Bidgol urban region of central Iran, with a focus on potentially toxic elements (PTEs). A total of 135 topsoil samples in different land types were characterized, ranging from areas with agricultural farms, desert, industrial and residential activity, and brick kilns. The average concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Cr, Co, Fe, Zn, and Mn were 0.72, 11.41, 14.82, 29.87, 51.13, 106.69, 8741.87, 48.59, and 346.42mgkg-1, respectively, which all exceed the local background levels. The results reveal that land use significantly affected PTE concentrations. Cr, Co, Mn, and Fe concentrations in soils of residential and brick kiln areas were especially high. In contrast, concentrations of Cu, Ni, and Zn were higher in agricultural and residential areas. Risk assessment analysis showed that the sum of toxic units for PTEs for brick kilns (1.72), residential (1.82), and agricultural (1.79) areas exceeded those of other land types and that Ni and Cr contributed the most to the high toxic risk index values. Both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk indices of PTEs in soils were within an acceptable limit, except for the cancer risk of Ni (3.52E-04) and Cr (3.00E-04) among children. The spatial hazard index and carcinogenic health risk of PTEs showed that samples from the southwestern parts of the study area might pose significant health problems to adults and children. This study demonstrates how combining different techniques can help spatially characterize PTE accumulation and protect populations at risk.

Climate and soil properties regulate the vertical heterogeneity of minor and trace elements in the alpine topsoil of the Hengduan Mountains

Soil minor and trace elements are vital regulators of ecological processes that sustain alpine ecosystem functions. In this study, the vertical pattern and driving factors of element concentrations in alpine soils of the Tibetan Plateau were investigated. Three snow mountains (Meili, Baima, and Haba) part of the Hengduan Mountain range, were selected as the study area to determine the vertical distribution of 12 typical elements (Cr, Ni, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ca, Sr, As, and Se) in topsoil with increasing and decreasing elevation, as well as the dominant driving factors of their spatial heterogeneity. Results showed that all elements, except Se, showed strong vertical heterogeneity, among which Cr, Ni, Cu, and Fe showed peak concentrations at 2700–3000 m; the highest concentrations of Mn and Zn were at 3200 m and 2700 m, with Cd and Pb at 2500 m. Ca and Sr levels gradually decreased with increasing elevation. According to the structural equation model and random forest analysis, the vertical heterogeneity of soil elements is directly regulated by the variability of climate and soil properties due to changes in elevation. A three-way PERMANOVA further quantized the contributions of climate and soil properties on vertical heterogeneity of all soil elements, which were 35.2 % and 50.5 %, respectively. This study used various statistical tools to reveal the dominant factors affecting the vertical heterogeneity of soil elements. These findings provided a scientific overview of element distribution on the Tibetan Plateau and significant references for the vertical distribution of elements in the topsoil of other snow mountains worldwide.

Bioavailability of Macro and Micronutrients Across Global Topsoils: Main Drivers and Global Change Impacts

AbstractUnderstanding the chemical composition of our planet's crust was one of the biggest questions of the 20th century. More than 100 years later, we are still far from understanding the global patterns in the bioavailability and spatial coupling of elements in topsoils worldwide, despite their importance for the productivity and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we measured the bioavailability and coupling of thirteen macro‐ and micronutrients and phytotoxic elements in topsoils (3–8 cm) from a range of terrestrial ecosystems across all continents (∼10,000 observations) and in response to global change manipulations (∼5,000 observations). For this, we incubated between 1 and 4 pairs of anionic and cationic exchange membranes per site for a mean period of 53 days. The most bioavailable elements (Ca, Mg, and K) were also amongst the most abundant in the crust. Patterns of bioavailability were biome‐dependent and controlled by soil properties such as pH, organic matter content and texture, plant cover, and climate. However, global change simulations resulted in important alterations in the bioavailability of elements. Elements were highly coupled, and coupling was predictable by the atomic properties of elements, particularly mass, mass to charge ratio, and second ionization energy. Deviations from the predictable coupling‐atomic mass relationship were attributed to global change and agriculture. Our work illustrates the tight links between the bioavailability and coupling of topsoil elements and environmental context, human activities, and atomic properties of elements, thus deeply enhancing our integrated understanding of the biogeochemical connections that underlie the productivity and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems in a changing world.

Rare earth elements distribution in topsoil from Ditrău Alkaline Massif area, eastern Carpathians, Romania

This paper gives an overview of the REEs distribution in topsoil from Ditrău Alkaline Massif area under influence of basic natural factors (parent material and soil acidity). Seventy-six soil samples were collected in accord with the most representative bedrock types and concentrations of the elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The ΣREEs contents in soil developed on alkaline rocks ranges from 52.59 to 579.20 μg/g, with an average value of 235.76 μg/g, significantly higher than the average value of Earth's crust (179.7 μg/g). Y content varies between 5.50 and 58.80 μg/g with an average of 21.67 μg/g. The soils are enriched in LREEs (La to Eu) and depleted in HREEs (Gd to Lu) and Y. This trend is expressed by the wide variations of the LREEs/HREEs, (La/Yb)ch, (La/Sm)ch and (Gd/Yb)ch ratios. The REE chondrite - normalized plots show for most soils strongly negative anomalies for cerium and europium and positive anomalies for gadolinium and dysprosium. The pH of soils is generally acidic to weakly acidic and has an insignificant role in REEs fractionations in soil. The spatial distribution of REEs is strongly related to the lithology of the study area, displaying minor to negligible effects of enrichment factors and a low geoaccumulation index, corresponding to the lack of anthropic contamination. The distribution of the elements in topsoil tends to mimic elemental accumulation in the parental bedrock, with a potential to highlight mineralized zones.

Mapping of trace elements in topsoil of arid areas and assessment of ecological and human health risks in Qatar

Soil is the incubator of human activities. Mapping of soil contaminants needs to be constantly updated. It is fragile in arid regions, especially if it accompanies dramatic and successive industrial and urban activities in addition to the climate change. Contaminants affecting soil are changing due to natural and anthropogenic influences. Sources, transport and impacts of trace elements including toxic heavy metals need continuous investigations. We sampled soil in accessible sites in the State of Qatar. An inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were used to determine the concentrations of Ag, Al, As, Ba, C, Ca, Ce, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Gd, Ho, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nd, Ni, Pb, Pr, S, Se, Sm, Sr, Tb, Tm, U, V, Yb and Zn. The study also presents new maps for the spatial distribution of these elements using the World Geodetic System 1984 (projected on UTM Zone 39N) which is based on socio-economic development and land use planning. The study assessed the ecological risks and human health risks of these elements in soil. The calculations showed no ecological risks associated with the tested elements in soil. However, the contamination factor (CF) for Sr (CF > 6) in two sampling locations calls for further investigations. More important, human health risks were not detected for population living in Qatar and the results were within the acceptable range of the international standards (hazard quotient HQ < 1 and Cancer risk between 10−5 and 10−6). Soil remains a critical component with water and food nexus. In Qatar and arid regions, fresh water is absent and soil is very poor. Our findings enhance the establishment of scientific strategies for investigating soil pollution and potential risks to achieve food security.

Spatial Distribution, Contamination Levels, and Health Risks of Trace Elements in Topsoil along an Urbanization Gradient in the City of Urumqi, China

For this study, we collected a total of 77 topsoil samples from urban, suburban, and rural gradients in the Urumqi city area in northwest China and analyzed their concentrations of seven trace elements: Arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), and Zinc (Zn). To assess and compare the contamination levels and the potential health risk of trace elements in topsoil along an urbanization gradient, we employed the pollution index and the health risk assessment model introduced by the US Environmental Protection Agency; we also used geostatistical analysis to analyze the spatial distribution patterns. The results we obtained indicate that the contamination levels of trace elements in soil decreased in the order of urban &gt; rural &gt; suburban gradients. We found a similar spatial distribution pattern of contamination levels of Ni, Zn, Cd, and Pb elements, with a zonal distribution pattern, while the spatial distribution patterns of As, Cu, and Hg elements show high concentration patches in many of the areas investigated in this study. Furthermore, based on the identified concentrations, the topsoil is heavily contaminated by Hg and slightly contaminated by Pb, As, and Zn in the urban gradient, whereas it is heavily contaminated by Hg in suburban and rural gradients and slightly contaminated by As in the suburban gradient. The total non-carcinogenic risk index of the analyzed trace elements for adults and children decrease in the order of urban &gt; suburban &gt; rural gradients, whereas the total carcinogenic risk index of the analyzed elements for adults and children decreased in the order of suburban &gt; urban &gt; rural gradients. However, the contamination of topsoil in all gradients is more harmful to children’s health than to that of adults. Overall, urbanization has had obvious effects on the accumulation of trace elements in soil, and As is the main carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk factor among the investigated elements in topsoil in all urbanization gradients.

Influence of Soil Forming Process on Element Content of Surface Soil in Yellow River Delta

In view of the abnormal areas of soil elements and organic pollutants found in the regional distribution, according to the previous sampling and testing results of surface soil, the abnormal areas in the investigation area of the Yellow River Delta were verified by the profile. Through sampling and testing, the vertical distribution of 12 elements, such As, Cr, etc., and the influence of soil forming process on 12 elements were analyzed, and the influencing factors of migration and transformation of heavy metal elements in topsoil were analyzed, which provided scientific basis for soil pollution and prevention.

Potentially toxic elements have adverse effects on moss communities in the manganese mines of Southern China

This study investigated the distribution of moss species, physiological parameters (superoxide dismutase, peroxide, catalase, and total chlorophyll), and concentrations of potentially toxic elements (Mn, Cr, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd) in moss communities and topsoil at the Huayuan manganese mine, Xiangjiang manganese mine, and Nancha manganese mine (Southern China). Partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) was then performed to determine the relationship between the indicators. Cd, Mn, and Zn were the main topsoil pollutants, followed by Pb, Cr, and Cu. A total of 73 moss species, comprising 31 genera from 17 families, and 8 community functional groups were identified. The most dominant families were Pottiaceae (30.14%) and Bryaceae (21.92%). PLS-PM revealed that increasing topsoil Mn, Cr, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd significantly reduced species diversity and functional diversity. These potentially toxic elements in the topsoil impeded vegetation growth by deteriorating soil conditions and subsequently altering the microenvironment of the moss communities. The community-weighted means demonstrated that functional traits of turfs and warty leaves were the adaptation of the moss communities to an increasingly dry and exposed microenvironment. Moss species with curly and narrow leaves were used to reduce contact with particulate pollutants. PLS-PM also indicated that Mn, Cr, Pb, and Cd may have a detrimental effect on superoxide dismutase, peroxide, catalase, and total chlorophyll, although further validation studies are needed.

Discovering hidden spatial patterns and their associations with controlling factors for potentially toxic elements in topsoil using hot spot analysis and K-means clustering analysis

The understanding of sources and controlling factors of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soils plays an important role in the improvement of environmental management. With the rapid growth of data volume, effective methods are required for data analytics for the large geochemical data sets. In recent years, spatial machine learning technologies have been proven to have the potential to reveal hidden spatial patterns in order to extract geochemical information. In this study, two spatial clustering techniques of Getis-Ord Gi* statistic and K-means clustering analysis were performed on 15 PTEs in 6,862 topsoil samples from the Tellus datasets of Northern Ireland to investigate the hidden spatial patterns and association with their controlling factors. The spatial clustering patterns of hot spots (high values) and cold spots (low values) for the 15 PTEs were revealed, showing clear association with geological features, especially peat and basalt. Peat was associated with high concentrations of Bi, Pb, Sb and Sn, while basalt was associated with high concentrations of Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, V and Zn. The high concentrations of As, Ba, Mo and U were associated with mixture of various lithologies, indicating the complicated influences on them. In addition, three hidden patterns in the 6,862 soil samples were revealed by K-means clustering analysis. The soil samples in the first and second clusters were overlaid on the peatland and basalt formation, respectively, while the samples in the third cluster were overlaid on the mixture of the other lithologies. These hidden patterns of soil samples were consistent with the spatial clustering patterns for PTEs, highlighting the dominant control of peat and basalt in the topsoil of Northern Ireland. This study demonstrates the power of spatial machine learning techniques in identifying hidden spatial patterns, providing evidences to extract geochemical knowledge in environmental studies.

Multielement Contamination of Land in the Margin of Highways

The spatial distribution of potentially toxic elements in land near a heavily loaded highway in the West Attica region (Greece) is discussed. This study aimed to investigate the extent of soil contamination with trace elements on land in the margin of highways. The concentration of thirty-five elements in topsoil, car ash, and road sediment bulk samples was determined. Statistical and spatial analysis was applied for evaluating the geochemical dispersion of the examined elements. Geo-accumulation index was estimated. Elements content were compared to criteria and screening values established by the literature. The concentration of As, Cu, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, and Zn in topsoil appeared to be influenced by traffic emissions. It is found that engine exhaust, tyre wear, and brake lining contribute to the As, Ba, Cu, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, and Zn content recorded in topsoil in the margin of highways. The bulk sample of road sediment is moderately contaminated to extremely contaminated with Cu, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, and Zn. Comparison of elements content in topsoil with screening values revealed that Al, As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sb, V, and Zn pose a potential risk for plants.

ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF MEDICINAL VEGETABLE RAW MATERIALS OF THE VORONEZH REGION ON THE EXAMPLE OF FLOWERS OF A TANSY ORDINARY

The article addresses to the problems of contamination by heavy metals of herbal substances in Voronezh Oblast, Russia. The object of the study was Tanacetum Vulgare gathered in urban and agro-ecosystems exposed to anthropogenic impact. The research was conducted by atomic absorption spectrophotometric method, using the MGA-915MD atomic absorption spectrometer in accordance with pharmacopoeia method. The study gave consideration to 51 samples of Tanacetum Vulgare contaminated by heavy metals (plumbum, mercury, cadmium, nickel, copper, zinc, cobalt, chromium) and arsenic. All samples meet the existing requirements, specified in reference documentation, in regards to norms of contained heavy metals (plumbum, cadmium, mercury) and aresnic. Comparing the data on the content of heavy metals in top soil of the region and the content of these elements in Tanacetum Vulgare blossoms, it can be argued that there exist some substantial physiological barriers preventing the plants from accumulation of ecotoxicants in their reproductive organs. It is most noticeable for such elements as plumbum, mercury, cadmium, cobalt and chromium. It appears that Tanacetum Vulgare is able to selectively absorb some heavy metals that penetrate into zymophore (e.g., copper and zinc) provided that their environmental content is below vital level. On the contrary, when the content of such elements in top soil was considerable, the plant blocked physiologically their penetration into the blossoms. Thereunder, it is fair to assume for Tanacetum Vulgare that, as a result of technological impact, the edaphotype forms and adapts to such environmental conditions. Tanacetum Vulgare blossoms accumulate toxic elements from top soil inconsiderably, which is important for procurement planning and assessment of herbal substances quality.

Soil element coupling is driven by ecological context and atomic mass

AbstractThe biogeochemical cycling of multiple soil elements is fundamental for life on Earth. Here, we conducted a global field survey across 16 chronosequences from contrasting biomes with soil ages ranging from centuries to millions of years. For this, we collected and analysed 435 topsoil samples (0–10 cm) from 87 locations. We showed that high levels of topsoil element coupling, defined as the average correlation among nineteen soil elements, are maintained over geological timescales globally. Cross‐biome changes in plant biodiversity, soil microbial structure, weathering, soil pH and texture, and mineral‐free unprotected organic matter content largely controlled multi‐element coupling. Moreover, elements with heavier atomic mass were naturally more decoupled and unpredictable in space than those with lighter mass. Only the coupling of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, which are essential to life on Earth, deviated from this predictable pattern, suggesting that this anomaly may be an undeniable fingerprint of life in terrestrial soils.

Epigenetic geochemical dynamics and driving mechanisms of chemical elemental distribution patterns in soil in Southwest China

The Earth’s surface is a complex system involving mutual interactions of its many components, including mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes and grasses. The interaction and mutual feedback of chemical elements in Earth's surface layer can drive changes in chemical elemental distribution patterns. In this study, we evaluated the mechanisms and interactions driving the distribution patterns of macroelements, probiotics, halogens and heavy metals in soils in Southwest China, based on a systematic geochemical land-quality survey at a scale of 1:250000. The results showed that the parent material determines the natural state of chemical elements in land resources. Epigenetic geochemical dynamics reshapes the distribution patterns of chemical elements in top soil; biogeochemical processes drive the evolutionary trends of land quality; and human activities, such as mining, disrupt the natural evolution of chemical elemental distribution patterns. The establishment of an epigenetic geochemical dynamics theory allows the construction of a framework for understanding the Earth's surface layer and promoting technological innovations for the comprehensive geochemical investigation of land resources.

Contamination, Distribution and Health Risk Assessment of Risk Elements in Topsoil for Amusement Parks in Xi’an, China

Contamination, Distribution and Health Risk Assessment of Risk Elements in Topsoil for Amusement Parks in Xi’an, China

Assessment of trace elements natural enrichment in topsoil by some Italian case studies

Trace elements (for example As, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Z, Cd and Pb) released by human activity are ubiquitously detected in topsoil. They can be conveyed from the topsoil to the ecosystem, thus affecting human health. Also, trace elements are not sensitive to any process of decomposition in soils and the bioavailability is complicated due to the reactive nature of soil constituent. The goal of this assessment is to present a methodology able to evaluate the topsoil trace elements natural enrichment and distinguish between geogenic phenomena and anthropogenic contributions. This paper presents some Italian case studies in Lombardy and Lazio. The potential pollution risks of trace elements in topsoil were evaluated by geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor. The results show an absence of anthropogenic contamination, highlighting the need to consider the local characteristics (landfills, municipal solid waste plants, industrial areas, quarries, etc.). Moreover, a statistical method (cumulative frequency and normalization method) was presented to determine the geochemical baseline values. In the case of Borgo Montello (Lazio), manganese is used as a relative element due to its high presence in soils. The proposed geochemical baseline values of V, Cr, Co and Ni thorough normalization method were, respectively, 123.07, 82.10, 9.41 and 29.70 mg kg−1, instead by cumulative frequency the results were 78.24, 84.10, 6.67 and 23.70 mg kg−1. This methodology shows a potential validity to define the geochemical baseline values, but it is necessary many data (n ≥ 40) and distributed homogeneously over the study area.

Wildfire effects on soil quality: application on a suburban area of West Attica (Greece)

On the occasion of the July 2018 wildfire in the West Attica region (Kineta area, Geraneia Mountain) this study aimed to the assessment of soil quality in Kineta area and the effect of fire on soil properties and the bioavailable forms of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn), which is a topic poorly documented. Topsoil (0–5 cm depth) and subsoil (5–25 cm depth) samples were collected from burned sites and unburned control sites two months after the wildfire event. The area is mainly covered by pine trees (Pinus halepensis). Statistical analysis and Geographical Information System (GIS) database elaboration proved successful tools for this research. The type of methodology applied in this study consists of Diethylene-Triamine-Penta-Ace-tic acid (DTPA) chemical extraction, pH, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), Electric Conductivity (EC) and soil organic matter (OM) evaluation, factor analysis, GIS database and comparison of soil parameters with quality standards and levels given from the literature. Results of this study indicated that wildfires significantly (p < 0.05) increased pH values, as well as, OM, FeDTPA and MnDTPA higher contents in topsoil at burned sites than topsoil in unburned locations. This higher availability of elements in the soil may be associated with the addition of ash during a fire. At the same time, relationships between various parameters have been identified from factor analysis and reflect genetic association. A GIS elaboration showed the spatial relationship among high positive factor scores, lithology, Mn-oxides and soil condition (burned or unburned soil). In particular, ZnDTPA contents in Kineta soils constitute a case of lithogenic contamination, while high concentrations of MnDTPA demonstrate the role of wildfire in enhancing levels of available elements in topsoil.

Contamination Level of Different Chemical Elements in Top Soils of Barapukuria Coal Mine Area in Dinajpur, Bangladesh

Contamination Level of Different Chemical Elements in Top Soils of Barapukuria Coal Mine Area in Dinajpur, Bangladesh