Heavy Metal Contamination Assessment and its Environmental Impact in the Area of Rural Waste Disposals in Cluj County,Romania

Abstract

This study aims at to investigate the environmental impact caused by heavy metal contamination from the waste disposal facilities in rural areas and depending on soil pollution, the possible future uses of these lands. In addition, we have studied the heavy metal contamination of the surface waters from the vicinity of these disposal facilities. The heavy metals influence was investigated by analyzing various water and soil samples collected from two county areas where more rural disposal facilities were functioned. ZeEnit 700 atomic absorption spectrometer was used for the analysis of metals and the collected soil samples were mineralized according to ISO 11466, by extraction with aqua regia (3 parts HCl: 1 part HNO3). The evaluation of the soil analysis results from the area No. 1 proves that there is no potential impact, because the studied metals concentrations are below the alert threshold. Water analysis results from area No. 1, shows a quality class V for lead and nickel, which indicate a high pollution originating from these metals. In the area No. 2, lead has exceeded the intervention thresholds for sensitive and less sensitive use of land and it is considered that there is an environmental impact on the soil. Regarding the water quality, it can be concluded that the area No. 2 exhibits the greatest pollution impact stemming from heavy metals.