| Autor: |
Filimon MN; Faculty of Chemistry, Biology, Geography, West University of Timişoara, 300115 Timişoara, Romania.; ANAPATMOL Research Center, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania., Caraba IV; Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, Banat University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine 'King Mihai I of Romania' from Timisoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania., Popescu R; ANAPATMOL Research Center, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.; Faculty of Medicine, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania., Dumitrescu G; ANAPATMOL Research Center, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.; Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, Banat University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine 'King Mihai I of Romania' from Timisoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania., Verdes D; ANAPATMOL Research Center, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.; Faculty of Medicine, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania., Petculescu Ciochina L; Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, Banat University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine 'King Mihai I of Romania' from Timisoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania., Sinitean A; Faculty of Chemistry, Biology, Geography, West University of Timişoara, 300115 Timişoara, Romania. |
| Abstrakt: |
Surface soil samples were collected near the Open Pit Bor (S1) and Open Pit Cerovo (S2), a grassland along the Borska Reka River (S3) and an unpolluted garden near Slatina village (reference site). Spontaneous plants (dandelion, nettle, coltsfoot, and creeping buttercup) and vegetables (onion, garlic, carrot, parsley, celery, potatoes, dill, and sorrel) were obtained from the former three sites and the reference site, respectively. The samples were analyzed for Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Pb via FAAS. Pollution indices indicated low-to-moderate soil contamination at sites S1, S2, and S3. Cu was the main contaminant of environmental concern, being above the maximum admitted concentration at site S1. Metal levels in spontaneous plants were below phytotoxic levels. Cu content of leafy vegetables and celery roots and Pb content of most vegetables were not safe for human consumption. Metal concentrations tended to be significantly lower in plants than in soils, with only Cu occurring at significantly elevated levels in celery roots and sorrel leaves. Non-carcinogenic risk assessment showed that consumption of carrot roots and especially celery roots grown on unpolluted soils from the Bor area might pose long-term health risks for females and males, with the main contributors being Cu and Fe. |
