This diploma thesis examined the efficiency of the remediation of the children’s playground “Polena” in Mežica. Due to the critical immission values of Cd, Pb and Zn, this playground was restored in 2008 by replacement/overlaying surface soil layer. The thickness of the covering soil layer was determined by measuring the content of the metals. Soil samples were taken on 23 sites using the gouge auger. We found that the soil of the playground is very heterogeneous, the thickness varying from 10–90 cm. The concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn were measured on the field using portable X-ray fluorescent spectrometer (XRF). The same method (XRF spectrometry) was used in the laboratory for measurement of dry soil samples. Results were comparable with measurements after dissolution of soil samples in aqua regia. The measured average concentrations of Pb and Zn in the top soil layer were above the critical immission value, the measured average concentration of Cd was above the warning immission value according to the Slovenina legislation. We confirmed a great horizontal variability of the metal concentration, which proves an uneven overlayering. The concentration of Cd on individual sites varied considerably (in the layer from 15 to 20 cm, the range was from 8 mg/kg to 223 mg/kg). The concentration of Pb also varied considerably (in the layer from 25 to 30 cm, the range was from 296 mg/kg to 30.323 mg/kg). The concentration of Zn also varied noticeably (in the layer from 15 to 20 cm, the range was from 549 mg/kg to 10.484 mg/kg). The results of the measurements of Cd, Pb and Zn in the field (moist samples) by using XRF method were statistically different from the results obtained from measurements of dry samples in the laboratory. The concentration of metals determined after aqua regia dissolution was statistically different (mostly lower values) from the results of XRF method, the biggest difference occurring for the measurements of Pb.
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