SOIL CHARACTERISTICS AND HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATION IN BAIA MARE POLLUTED SITES

The aim of this study is to assess the base level of soil pollution in five sites from an urban area affected by interference between natural and anthropogenic sources.The analysis of chemical characteristics of soil, such as pH, humus and heavy metal concentrations (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn), was performed to identify the contaminated sites and to explore the potential the need for a remediation process.Sampling design was performed for collecting accurate data in assessment of soil quality and heavy metal contamination.Within the five analyzed sites, Craica showed moderate to extreme acid reaction of soil, with a pH that reached 4.19 in soil depth.The recorded percentage of humus varied greatly between sites, with the maximum recorded in Craica site and 2.12 at the Romplumb site.Lead was identified in the range 114-418 in four of the five sites analyzed, while copper was dominant in the fifth site, with more than 120 mg/kg.Zn was found in higher quantities in the depth of soil, in four of the five analyzed sites, which indicates a historical contamination and deposition of this element.Heavy metals were found in all the five sites analyzed, with different combinations of soil pollution, which indicates the need for bioremediation and the extraction of pollutants from soil.