Arsenic, heavy metals, PAHs and PCBs in surface soils from Dublin, Ireland

Abstract

A systematic survey of the concentration of elements in surface soil in greater Dublin has been carried out in 2009-2010. The soils in central Dublin have high concentrations oflead and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The sampled playgrounds in this survey have high concentrations of lead. Remediation of these playgrounds soils is recommended.\rThe main pollution sources for lead in surface soils are leaded gasoline (a historic source), lead based paints (both a historic and active source), the standing building mass with glazed tiled roofs containing lead (an active source). The main pollution sources for the P AHs are gasworks, energy production, domestic heating, industrial emissions, emission from road traffic and city fires. Urban soils are dynamic because of constant relocation of masses; therefore the spreading of contaminated, excavated masses represents a challenge in the urban environment.\rThe concentration of the other elements and chemical compounds presented in this report are of levels that are safe for human health and show a greater source dependency from natural sources like local bedrock geology than anthropogenic sources.