Pedological characterization of soils in Gutai Mountains near a mining area, Romania

Metal pollution is considered a major issue in terms of human and animal health, as well as ecological risks, due to the bioaccumulation, biomagnification, persistence and high toxicity of metals. Worldwide, even nowadays the anthropogenic activities have negative consequences on the natural environments starting from the deep of the oceans upon the highest peaks. In Romania, mining activities and different industries influence the quality of the environmental factors. The soil matrix, due to its slow regeneration capacity is a very vulnerable system. The aim of this study is to assess the quality of soil collected from the vicinity of Gutai Mountains, nearby one of the most problematic mining exploitation area in the country. Samples were collected from different altitudes at different horizons and were analysed for the metal content (Cd, Cu, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn), pH, humus, total nitrogen content, colour, texture, particle size, structure. The results indicate high amount of Pb, which exceeded the threshold, showing contamination at 1150 m altitude, and a low amount for Cd, Cu, Ni, Mn and Zn. Based on the cluster analysis, similarities are observed among Cd, Cu and Pb, as well as between humus and the total nitrogen. Pollution and risk indices are used to assess the contamination degree, the probability of toxicity and the potential ecological risk. Results indicate that almost 50% of the studied soil samples show contamination with Pb, although there is a low potential ecological risk and 21% probability of toxicity.