Unraveling the anthropogenic legacy: multi-source contamination and health risk of potentially toxic elements in historical heritage soils (Certosa Di Calci, Italy).
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Historical heritage sites, while culturally invaluable, often harbor a complex legacy of potentially toxic element contamination from past anthropogenic activities. This study investigates the long-term environmental impact on soils at the Certosa di Calci, a monumental monastic complex near Pisa town (Tuscany, Italy), with centuries of diverse historical functions including artisanal workshops and military uses. A comprehensive multi-analytical approach combining spatial distribution, environmental and health risk assessment, and advanced source apportionment (i.e., Positive Matrix Factorization, Principal Component Analysis, correlation analysis) was employed on surface and core soil samples. Results revealed significant enrichment of Pb, Zn, Hg, and Cu, with content frequently exceeding Italian regulatory limits and exhibiting high ecological risk. Six distinct source factors were identified, clearly distinguishing natural geogenic sources from anthropogenic inputs related to historical glassmaking, metalworking, pharmaceutical preparations, pigment use, and buried lead pipes. Contamination was primarily confined to surface soil layers, consistent with historical surface-based activities. Crucially, a site-specific human health risk assessment for both museum visitors and summer camp attendees indicated non-significant cumulative non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, despite observed soil contamination. Oral soil ingestion, particularly for children, and indoor inhalation of elemental mercury vapor were identified as the main pathways of potential concern, though remaining within acceptable limits. This research provides critical, unprecedented data for the Certosa di Calci, offering a robust framework for assessing environmental quality and managing legacy contamination in historical heritage sites, serving as a vital case study for global preservation efforts.
揭示人为遗产：历史遗产土壤中潜在有毒元素的多源污染和健康风险（Certosa Di Calci，意大利）。
历史遗产虽然在文化上是无价的，但往往藏有过去人类活动造成的潜在有毒元素污染的复杂遗产。本研究调查了Certosa di Calci对土壤的长期环境影响，Certosa di Calci是比萨镇（意大利托斯卡纳）附近的一座巨大的修道院建筑群，具有几个世纪的各种历史功能，包括手工作坊和军事用途。采用空间分布、环境与健康风险评价和高级源解析（即正矩阵分解、主成分分析、相关分析）相结合的综合多分析方法对表层和岩心土壤样品进行分析。结果显示，铅、锌、汞和铜显著富集，其含量经常超过意大利的规定限值，具有很高的生态风险。确定了六个不同的来源因素，明确区分了自然地质来源与与历史玻璃制造、金属加工、药物制剂、颜料使用和埋地铅管相关的人为输入。污染主要局限于表层土壤，与历史上的地表活动一致。至关重要的是，一项针对博物馆游客和夏令营参与者的特定地点人类健康风险评估表明，尽管观察到土壤污染，但累积的非致癌性和致癌性风险并不显著。经确定，口服土壤摄入（特别是儿童）和室内吸入单质汞蒸气是可能引起关注的主要途径，但仍在可接受的范围内。这项研究为Certosa di Calci提供了重要的、前所未有的数据，为评估环境质量和管理历史遗产地的遗产污染提供了一个强有力的框架，为全球保护工作提供了一个重要的案例研究。
期刊介绍：
Environmental Geochemistry and Health publishes original research papers and review papers across the broad field of environmental geochemistry. Environmental geochemistry and health establishes and explains links between the natural or disturbed chemical composition of the earth’s surface and the health of plants, animals and people.
Beneficial elements regulate or promote enzymatic and hormonal activity whereas other elements may be toxic. Bedrock geochemistry controls the composition of soil and hence that of water and vegetation. Environmental issues, such as pollution, arising from the extraction and use of mineral resources, are discussed. The effects of contaminants introduced into the earth’s geochemical systems are examined. Geochemical surveys of soil, water and plants show how major and trace elements are distributed geographically. Associated epidemiological studies reveal the possibility of causal links between the natural or disturbed geochemical environment and disease. Experimental research illuminates the nature or consequences of natural or disturbed geochemical processes.
The journal particularly welcomes novel research linking environmental geochemistry and health issues on such topics as: heavy metals (including mercury), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and mixed chemicals emitted through human activities, such as uncontrolled recycling of electronic-waste; waste recycling; surface-atmospheric interaction processes (natural and anthropogenic emissions, vertical transport, deposition, and physical-chemical interaction) of gases and aerosols; phytoremediation/restoration of contaminated sites; food contamination and safety; environmental effects of medicines; effects and toxicity of mixed pollutants; speciation of heavy metals/metalloids; effects of mining; disturbed geochemistry from human behavior, natural or man-made hazards; particle and nanoparticle toxicology; risk and the vulnerability of populations, etc.
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