Temporal variation in metal concentrations in soils and vegetation in the vicinity of a municipal solid waste incinerator

Emission of metals by municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) is one issue of great concern. In this study, the temporal variation in the levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, manganese, nickel, lead and vanadium in soil and vegetation samples collected near an MSW incinerator (Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain) was determined. In June 1997, 24 soil and 24 herbage samples were collected at the same sampling points in which samples had been taken in 1994. The present metal concentrations are generally within the ranges previously reported for soils and vegetation in the vicinity of MSWIs. Most metal levels remained unchanged or even decreased slightly between 1994 and 1997. According to the current results, the potential health impact of metals on the population living in the area under influence of the plant seems to be small.

Keywords:

• Municipal solid waste incinerator
• metals
• soils
• vegetation
• temporal variation

Notes

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