Bioconcentration of Heavy Metals with Toxic Potential in Soil and Plants in Residential Areas

Abstract

This paper presents the evaluation of the level of translocation of traces of some metals Hg, Pb, Ni, Cd from the coal matrix (lignite) into slag, ash. Stored in heaps in the soil and plants from the local residential environment, near the power plant. Analysis of trace metals in the multicomponent sample was carried out by AAS. Heavy metals were found in the composition of coal, ash and slag samples, in the soil and vegetation related to the area of ​​influence of the power plant. The enriched metal content in the residues is characterized by RE Meiji < 1 (Pb and Hg) and RE Meiji ≈1 (Ni and Cd) for filter ash. The content of Pb and Ni in the soil exceeds the normal values, and Pb also exceeds the alert value for sensitive soils around the waste deposit (70.20 mg.Kg^-1). Availability of heavy metals in soil and plants, reflected and by the translocation factor TF, places Cd and Hg above the reference value (Khan) of bioaccumulation (0.5), and  individual carcinogenic risk for Pb Ni Cd estimated at levels of: 10^-7; 10^-6; 10^-5 relative to the WHO reference limit of 10^-6: it estimates a potential food safety risk.