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Title: URBAN SOIL CONTAMINATION WITH HEAVY METALS: SOURCES, ECOLOGICAL IMPACT AND REMEDIATION STRATEGIES

Year

2025

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570

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Title

URBAN SOIL CONTAMINATION WITH HEAVY METALS: SOURCES, ECOLOGICAL IMPACT AND REMEDIATION STRATEGIES

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Authors

Florin Crista; Laura Crista; Alina Lato; Isidora Radulov; Adina Berbecea

DOI

10.5593/sgem2025/3.1/s12.44

DOI Issue

10.5593/sgem2025/3.1

ISSN

1314-2704

ISBN

978-619-7603-81-1

Language

English

Volume

Issue

3.1

Editor

• Prof. Dr. hab. oec. Baiba Rivza, LATVIA• Prof. DSc. Ildiko Tulbure, GERMANY• Prof. DSc. Oleksandr Trofymchuk, UKRAINE

Scientific Area

Soil Science, Conservation, and Land Restoration

Abstract/ Foreword

Urban soil contamination with heavy metals is a growing environmental concern due to its adverse effects on human health, ecosystem stability, and soil productivity. The primary sources of this pollution include industrial activities, vehicular emissions, atmospheric deposition, mining operations, and improper waste disposal. As heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and chromium (Cr) accumulate in the soil, their persistence and low mobility make them difficult to degrade or remove naturally. These pollutants pose a serious threat to food security and public health, as they can enter food chains through plant uptake and groundwater contamination. Long-term exposure to heavy metals is associated with neurological disorders, organ damage, and an increased risk of chronic diseases in humans. This study investigates the levels and distribution of heavy metal contamination in urban soils, focusing on its impact on soil microbiota, plant growth, and biodiversity. The chemical and physical properties of contaminated soils are analyzed to understand the mobility, bioavailability, and interactions of these toxic elements with organic matter and mineral fractions. The research also explores various remediation techniques, including physical, chemical, and biological methods. Among these, phytoremediation—the use of hyperaccumulator plants to absorb and stabilize contaminants—emerges as an eco-friendly and cost-effective approach. Additionally, advanced adsorption techniques using biochar, activated carbon, and natural clays show promising results in immobilizing heavy metals.

References (click to open)

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Type

conference

Url

https://doi.org/10.5593/sgem2025/3.1/s12.44

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URBAN SOIL CONTAMINATION WITH HEAVY METALS: SOURCES, ECOLOGICAL IMPACT AND REMEDIATION STRATEGIES

Proceedings Тitle

Proceedings of 25th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2025, Volume 25, Issue 3.1

Note

25th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2025, Volume 25, Issue 3.1, 29 June - 6 July, 2025

Type

Proceedings Paper

Publisher

STEF92 Technology

Series

International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference Surveying Geology and Mining Ecology Management, SGEM

Organization

SWS Scholarly Society; Acad Sci Czech Republ; Latvian Acad Sci; Polish Acad Sci; Russian Acad Sci; Serbian Acad Sci and Arts; Natl Acad Sci Ukraine; Natl Acad Sci Armenia; Sci Council Japan; European Acad Sci, Arts and Letters; Acad Fine Arts Zagreb Croatia; Croatian Acad Sci and Arts; Acad Sci Moldova; Montenegrin Acad Sci and Arts; Georgian Acad Sci; Acad Fine Arts and Design Bratislava; Russian Acad Arts; Turkish Acad Sci.

Pages

377-384

Date

29 June - 6 July, 2025

Online Source Type

website

Digital Source Type

10391

Keywords

soil contamination, heavy metals, urban pollution, ecological remediation