International Geological Journal - Official Journal of the Carpathian-Balkan Geological Association

MINERALOGICAL AND CHEMICAL IMPACT OF ANTHROPOGENIC EMISSIONS ON SOILS AND ROCKS OF THE OJCÓW NATIONAL PARK (POLAND)

Published: Oct 1999

Pages: 409 - 412

Authors: MARZENA SCHEJBAL-CHWASTEK, MARIOLA MARSZALEK

Abstract: Air pollution and its influence on soil contamination and the rate of weathering of Jurassic limestone in the Ojców National Park (ONP) in Poland were studied. Phase and chemical analyses were carried out for the soils and rocks. It has been found that the components of anthropogenic origin make up over 90 vol. % of dust particles. The major phases include sulphates, spherical glass particles, unburned coal fragments and grains of metal oxides. The analyses of soils have shown elevated amounts of Cd, Pb and Zn, while the total level of hydrocarbons exceeded the permitted content in soil (samples collected along the road). The limestones are covered with black or white crusts depending on their degree of shelter from rain water. The components of crusts include aluminosilicate glass spherules, iron oxides, unburned coal particles and gypsum crystals. The outer layers of limestone are also enriched with heavy metals. The heavy metals and glass spherules found in the dust fall and in the external parts of Jurassic limestones and soil, and also the higher level of hydrocarbons in soil samples lead to the conclusion that the anthropogenic pollutants generated within and outside the ONP play a significant role in contamination of the analysed components of the environment.

Keywords: Poland, Ojcow National Park, air pollution, soil contamination, limestone deterioration

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