Soil Pollution by Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in The Town of Brno (CZECH REPUBLIC)

Abstract The authors present the heavy metal and PAH content in the upper 20 cm soil level in the town of Brno (Czech Republic). These results correspond to a network of 54 sampling sites in which the main soil properties, traffic intensity data and microclimatic conditions have also been determined. The average content of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in the 2M HNO3 extract was 0.49, 6.7, 27.5, 8.0, 50 and 80 mg/kg. The total amount of Hg was 0.35 mg/kg and the sum of 16 PAHs obtained by dichloromethane extraction was 3.8 mg/kg. A soil metal index has been calculated characterising the total inorganic soil pollution relative to limit values. Areas influenced mainly by traffic and those affected by other small sources (mainly local heating) were distinguished by means of correlation analysis and the graphic processing of results (GIS). No remarkable industrial point source of pollution was found.