VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF HEAVY METALS IN SOILS UNDER THE APPLICATION OF INDUSTRIAL SLUDGE FROM PAINT AND PRINT INDUSTRY

M. Harizanova, I. Atanassova, M. Teoharov

Abstract: Investigated were soil profiles (0-200 cm) under industrial sludge from a waste water treatment facility of a textile painting plant near Elin Pelin, Bulgaria. Morphogenetic and heavy metal analysis was carried out and relation was established with heavy metals and organic contaminants in soils. The soils (Profile 1 and Profile 2) were classified as Technosols and characterized by the presence of differentiated Bu (1,2) horizons. The two soil profiles have neutral to alkaline soil reaction (pH 7-8) which correlates with the carbonate content. In the soil profile under sludge application Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn and Co distribution indicates anthropogenic source. Pb, Mn and Fe come from a different industrial source as their contents are elevated in the technogenic Bu horizons of the soil profle. The sludge contained heavy metals are not likely to have been transported down the soil profiles. In the soil profile with no sludge addition the heavy metal distribution, again indicates anthropogenic sources with Zn, Cu, Mn and Pb showing elevated contents in the middle part of the soil profile. In the control soil (Gleyic Luvisol), chromium, nickel, cobalt and Fe are generally of lithogenic origin, while Cu, Zn, Mn have bio(pedo)genic sources. The anthropogenictechnogenic character of heavy metal sources was confirmed by some contaminant compounds (metabolites) detected in the Bu horizons of the Technosols.

Keywords: heavy metals; industrial sludge; soil profle; sources; Technosols

Date published: 2017-09-07