HEAVY METALS AND AS CONTENT IN SOIL AND IN PLANTS IN THE BAIA MARE MINING AND METALLURGICAL AREA (NW OF ROUMANIA)

The paper shows the investigations in the Baia Mare area on the heavy metals and arsenic concentrations in soil (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Co, As, Sn, Sb). Statistical analysis was applied to highlight possible correlations. Heavy metals concentrations exceeded in some locations the intervention threshold, according to the Romanian regulations. The highest concentrations of heavy metals in the topsoil were found in samples around the lead smelter Romplumb, where the Pb concentration exceeded 19 times the intervention threshold for insensitive use of soils. The threshold value was also exceeded for Cu, Zn, Cd, As and Sb. Average concentration of Sb is under the threshold value, but higher than the normal value, while the average concentrations of Ni, Cr, Co and Sn are lower than the normal value. Also the pollution indexes were calculated showing the highest values in the Ferneziu area and the highest index was found for Pb.