ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS CONTENT AND POLLUTION LEVEL IN SOIL AND PLANTS IN BAIA MARE AREA, NW ROMANIA

In order to assess the soil pollution level by heavy metals and also the possibility of metals entrance in the food chain via plants, pollution load index (PLI), contamination factors (CF) and soil to plant transfer factors (TF) were calculated. Topsoil samples (1-10 cm) and plants growing on them were collected from four areas in Baia Mare city and surroundings: three polluted areas (Ferneziu, Sasar and Center) and one reference area. The following heavy metals: Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, Co, Mn, Sn were analyzed in soil and plant samples by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The highest TF were obtained for Cd (0.66-3.13) while the lowest values were calculated for Pb (0.004-0.02). The contamination level of the soil within the investigated areas was assessed according to PUT values. Ferneziu district, where the lead smelter is located, was found being the most polluted site for Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn and Sn. Cluster analysis was conducted in order to classify metals of different sources and origins. Cd, Pb, Sn, Zn and Cu occur as a result of anthropogenic activities while Co, Cr, Mn and Ni in soil can be naturally found in the soil composition