The region of Celje is highly polluted with several potentially toxic elements (PTE) such as Ba, Cu, Pb and Zn. The purpose of the master’s thesis is to review and interpret the pollution of sandpits and nearby soil, compare the PTE-contents in the fraction, wich is a mixture of very fine sand and silt (od 0,04 do 0,125 mm) and in fraction of coarse silt (< 0,04 mm) and ground. These two fractions we labelled as fine and medium. Using scanning electron microscopy / energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), we attempted to determine PTE carriers and, from data on selective leaching of PTEs, provide a risk assessment for children. PTE-contents were measured using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for 18 samples of sand from sandpits, and nine soil samples from the ground next to the most polluted sandpits. In some samples, we found elevated contents of Ba, Cu, Pb and Zn, which exceeded legal limits. Comparison of both sand fractions showed that the drobne fraction is more highly polluted, and also contains greater ranges of PTE-contents. Comparing soil and sand, we determined that soil has higher contents of main oxides, as well as greatly exceeded PTE-contents compared to legally permitted quantities. Analysis of sand samples from Puconci and Moravče confirmed that the sand does not contain critical PTE-contents, and that PTE was introduced to the sand after it was replaced. Carriers of PTE in sand and soil are minerals – galena (PbS), cerussite (PbCO3), sphalerite (ZnS), smithsonite (ZnCO3) and baryte (BaSO4) – indicating a link to the mineralisation in Mežica (inappropriate sand replacement) and smelting of ore in the former Cinkarna Celje. We also found glassy particles of slag, with complex chemical compositions, in the sand and in greater quantities in the soil. In the past, slag was formed as residue when smelting sphalerite ore, and it was deposited in multiple locations in Celje and surrounding areas. The carrier for Fe is the mineral hematite (Fe2O3), which indicates a link to the ironworks in Štore. To a lesser degree, these particles could have been transferred by air or in polluted soil. Most PTEs can be leached in the 2nd phase with a mild acid, which means that they are very easily released and binding in plants, representing a high danger for humans. Primarily for children, who are more exposed and more prone to absorb the toxic elements.
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