Verification of Penetration of Lead in the Profile of Soil around the Former Battery Production Factory, Berat Albania

Nikolla  Civici; Mirela  Alushllari

doi:10.4236/jep.2015.64038

Mirela Alushllari^*, Nikolla Civici

Abstract: The current study reports the concentration of lead in top of the soil samples and its penetration until the depth of approximately 120 cm. Representative soil samples are collected around the former Factory Production of Batteries to Berat, Albania at a distance 80 - 900 m from factory. We have chosen 12 sampling points. We have collected a total of 55 samples where 31 were soil samples (12 top of soil and 19 were profile soil samples) and 24 were random vegetation samples. All soil samples were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for their lead content, at the Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics, University of Tirana, Albania. From results obtained the fraction of lead in profile soil samples was in range: 78 mg/kg - 52,982 mg/kg and average concentration of lead was 2976 mg/kg, while in random vegetation samples was in range: 0.238 - 5.573 mg/kg. In general, trend of the content of lead in profile soil samples was decreasing compared to the content of lead in the respective top soil samples. The concentrations of lead which have been found in analyzed soil samples are compared with the Maximum Contaminant Levels specified by the Directive 86/278/EEC. Also, we have calculated Hazardous Quoted for each sampling point which is found very high. HQ in representative surface soil samples is 0.4 - 80.7 times higher than normal.

Keywords: Lead, Top and Profile Soil Samples, Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Cite this paper: Alushllari, M. and Civici, N. (2015) Verification of Penetration of Lead in the Profile of Soil around the Former Battery Production Factory, Berat Albania. Journal of Environmental Protection, 6, 388-398. doi: 10.4236/jep.2015.64038.

References

[1] Censi, P., Spoto, S.E., Saiano, F., Sprovieri, M., Mazzola, S., Nardone, G., Di Geronimo, S.I., Punturo, R. and Ottonello, D. (2006) Heavy Metals in Coastal Water System. Chemosphere, 64, 1167-1176.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.11.008

[2] Gazso, L.G. (2001) The Key Microbial Processes in the Removal of Toxic Metals and Radionuclides from the Environment. A Review. Central European Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 7, 178-185.

[3] Marmiroli, N. (2003) Accumulation of Copper and Zinc from Liquid Manure in Agricultural Soils and Crop Plants. Plant and Soil, 250, 249-257.

[4] Zayed, A., Lytle, C.M., Qian, J.H. and Terry, N. (1998) Chromium Accumulation, Translocation and Chemical Speciation in Vegetable Crops. Planta, 206, 293-299.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004250050403

[5] Carpenter, S.R., Caraco, N.F., Correll, D.L., Howarth, R.W., Sharpely, A.N. and Smith, V.H. (1998) Nonpoint Pollution of Surface Waters With Phosphorus and Nitrogen, Ecological Applications, 8, 559-568.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/1051-0761(1998)008[0559:NPOSWW]2.0.CO;2

[6] Demayo, A., Taylor, M.C., Taylor, K.W. and Hodson, P.V. (1982) Toxic Effects of Lead and Lead Compounds on Human Health, Aquatic Life, Wildlife Plants, and Livestock. Critical Reviews in Environmental Control, 12, 257-305.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10643388209381698

[7] Aigbedion, L.N. (2005) Environmental Pollution in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Inter Disciplinary Journal Enugu Niger, 3, 205-210.

[8] EEC, Economic European Communities (2006) The Council Directive 86/278/EEC on Protection of the Enviro nment.

[9] EEC, Economic European Communities (2006) Setting Maximum Levels for Certain Contaminants in Foodstuffs. Official Journal European Communities, L 364/5-L 364/24, Directive No. 1881/2006, Brussels.

[10] U.S. EPA. (Environmental Protection Agency) (2006) Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund Volume I: Human Health Evaluation Manual (Part E, Supplemental Guidance for Dermal Risk Assessment), Final. EPA/540/R/99/005. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Washington, DC. PB99-963312.

[11] (Perkin-Elmer Corperation. 1991-1999) Perkin-Elmer Corp.: 1964-2000, Analytical Methods for Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry & Recommended conditions for THGA furnaces.