To protect and manage soil ecosystem from chemical pollution, the implementation of a site-specific soil ecological risk assessment is imperative. The TRIAD approach, endorsed by the International Standardization Organization, serves as a valuable tool for conducting site-specific assessments, integrating chemical, ecotoxicological, and ecological analyses. In Korea, efforts are underway to formulate guidelines based on the TRIAD methodology, organized into three key phases: desk study, TRIAD assessment, and risk management. The desk study phase reviews the need for a soil ecological risk assessment alongside a conceptual site model. If necessary, TRIAD assessments are initiated, considering screening and refined levels and socioeconomic factors. Following the determination of final risk values, a comprehensive risk management plan is created, involving monitoring and strategies such as removing or interrupting contamination sources. Case studies presented in this study demonstrate the adequacy and applicability of the proposed Korean guideline. The modified TRIAD technique and detailed toolbox introduced serve as valuable resources for efficient decision-making in protecting soil ecosystems in contaminated sites. Acknowledgement This work was supported by Korea Environment Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI) funded by Korea Ministry of Environment (MOE) 2022002450002 (RS-2022-KE002074).

How to cite: An, Y.-J., Kim, D., Kim, H., Lee, T.-Y., Hyun, S., Hong, S., and Jeong, S.-W.: A Comprehensive Analysis and Validation of the Modified TRIAD Approach in Soil Ecological Risk Assessment , EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-2413, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-2413, 2024.

Effective management of soil damage is essential for national defence. In such a situation, chemical analytical methods are used to assess the contamination, which, although accurate, are time-consuming, costly and do not provide sufficient information on the state of the pedosphere on their own. Rapid decision making is of paramount importance, especially in disaster situations, and a rapid procedure for in situ assessment of the damage site, complemented by interpretation of soil health data, would be needed. The combined use of near-surface remote sensing methods, non-destructive analytical techniques and ecotoxicology could provide a new, optimised approach to soil safety. For the measurements in my research, I use in situ applicable non-destructive instruments (so-called proximal soil sensing) in the designated military sample area. The detection of soil radiation was performed by means of airborne remote sensing using an unmanned aerial vehicle (uav) mounted radiation measuring device. The potentially toxic element content was measured using a hand-held X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (PXRF). Ecotoxicological tests, soil column and microcosm experiments were set up to investigate soil ecosystem sensitivity. My objectives are to (i) implement improvements to facilitate effective operations of disaster management agencies (ii) streamline procedures for individual risk reduction and (iii) place the importance of pedosphere ecosystem sensitivity testing in a disaster management context during the execution of operations.

The research was funded by the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund of the National Defence Subprogramme of the Cooperative Doctoral Programme of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology.

How to cite: Szűcs-Vásárhelyi, N., Pátzay, G., Szécsy, O., Koós, S., Uzinger, N., Mészáros, J., Dobor, J., Árvai, M., Szabó, A., Garamhegyi, G., Szatmári, G., Kovács, Z. A., and Rékási, M.: The soil safety situation in Hungary, especially around the military sites., EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-9373, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-9373, 2024.

The consequences of mining activities on the earth's surface inevitably lead to situations in which measures are needed to mitigate the impact on soil, water and air. The measures that counteract these negative effects are defined in what is known as remediation or remediation, recovery, rehabilitation and restoration. It constitutes the so-called R4 strategy (Lima et al., 2016), being sometimes difficult to be able to differentiate the nuances contained in these four terms when they are referred to the elimination of the effects produced by mining. In the case of large areas, such as a large natural area that is affected to varying degrees by mining, the strategies to be considered can be very varied and include more than one R, trying to minimize the impacts and reduce the risks by making them acceptable.

In the new European landscape, healthy soils are essential to achieve climate neutrality, a clean and circular economy and to stop desertification and land degradation. They are also essential to reverse biodiversity loss, provide healthy food and safeguard human health. The proposed tool to achieve this is the new Soil Monitoring Law provides a legal framework to help achieve healthy soils by 2050. In the case of soils with mining influence, the policies to be followed must be associated to the risk, since these soils naturally present a high level of PTEs.

In this work, 60 samples obtained from different abandoned mining sites in the Region of Murcia are evaluated to determine the risks they present in terms of the health of people, ecosystems and structures. For this purpose, different extracting media (water, acid and Olsen extraction (natural mobility), Mehra - Jackson extraction and oxidizing medium (potential mobility)) and the Solubility Bioaccessibility Research Consortium (SBRC) method are used, distinguishing two phases, stomach and intestinal. The PTEs evaluated were: As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn.

The results were contrasted with the differential mineralogy calculated for each sample, estimating the relationship between the mineralogical phase present and the mobility and bioaccessibility of the PTE. The bioaccessibility of the PTEs contained in the soils and their natural or potential mobility are determining factors in the risk assessment that will later affect the R measures, allowing to manage abandoned mining areas safely and efficiently.

Reference:

Lima, A.T., Mitchell, K., O’Connell, D.W., Verhoeven, J., Van Cappellen, P., 2016. The legacy of surface mining: Remediation, restoration, reclamation and rehabilitation. Environmental Science & Policy 66, 227-233.

How to cite: Pérez-Sirvent, C., Martínez Sanchez, M. J., Martínez Lopez, S., Martinez Martinez, L. B., Garcia Lorenzo, M., Hernandez Perez, C., Bech, J., and Hernandez Cordoba, M.: Relationships between bioaccessibility and speciation of ETPs in mining-affected soils., EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-13223, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-13223, 2024.

Arenosols are soils mostly associated with coastal areas where coastal dynamics favor the accumulation of coarse fractions on the beaches. These sediments of marine origin give rise to coastal soils that support halophilic vegetation and a very special ecosystem. As they are included in urbanized areas and are a priority destination for recreational activities ( swimming, games, relaxation, etc.), they offer a very high level of contact for people. These areas are affected by marine erosion that modifies the coastal profiles, justifying anthropic actions to provide materials with similar granulometries and colors to meet the recreational purposes of the beaches.

The regulations on the quality of the materials that are contributed, regardless of their origin, continental or marine, are very strict in terms of the content of ETPs and other possible pollutants, however, the beaches and their neighboring areas can be affected by tides, spills, or drags that cause an increase in the natural concentration of ETPs. On the other hand, the existence of mining or industrial areas can affect the quality of these soils.

All this justifies a monitoring program in which the first step must be the establishment of the geogenic levels of the sandy soils and the background levels, pointing out the anomalous zones and their environment of influence.

For this purpose, a first sampling has been carried out on the Murcian coast, with a total of 250 samples, establishing the mineralogical groups and the content in ETPs (Pb, Cu, As, Zn, Cd, Hg). The methodology used was the same as that used for the determination of background levels in agricultural soils of the Region of Murcia, except for the sampling design, which was restricted to beach soils. The results confirm the main starting hypotheses and indicate the need to include underwater samples to confirm the implications of contaminant sources.

How to cite: Hernandez Cordoba, M., Martínez Sanchez, M. J., Martínez Lopez, S., Martinez Martinez, L. B., Hernandez Perez, C., Bech, J., and Perez Sirvent, C.: Determination of the background levels of PTEs in arenosols of the Region of Murcia, SE Spain., EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-13302, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-13302, 2024.

The European Green Deal (EU, 2019 b), the EU's growth strategy for a sustainable future, is based on the realization that ecological transformation is an opportunity and that inaction comes at a huge cost. In this sense, implementing nature-based solutions on a larger scale would increase resilience to climate change and contribute to multiple objectives of the Green Deal, as they are essential for maintaining healthy water, oceans and soils. Considering the risks and threats that climate change poses to agriculture in general and rainfed crops in particular, solutions are urgently needed to help farmers and land managers cope with climate risks.

This paper focuses on three points of this green pact:

- Achieve zero pollution and a pollution-free environment.

- Preserve and restore ecosystems and biodiversity.

- Achieving a healthy, fair and environmentally sustainable food system from the "Farm to Fork" strategy.

From the above points it is clear that, in the future and under climate change scenarios, it would be necessary to increase soil fertilization, mainly due to the loss of organic matter and soil fertility, which in the case of Mediterranean soils is already generally low. And, since inorganic fertilization is increasingly limited by regulation, this increase would have to be carried out by organic fertilization. This undoubtedly increases operating costs and thus the uncertainties regarding the economic viability of farms. It is necessary to adopt measures for mitigation and adaptation in rainfed agriculture, whose main benefits are increased soil fertility, CO₂ retention, increased water infiltration and decrease in desertification.

To achieve these objectives it is necessary to implement mitigation measures based on the 4 per thousand initiative, improving and conserving the soil resource as a source of wealth and fertility, to halt rural abandonment and promote organic agriculture with the use of local waste, promoting the circular economy.

Among these measures, the following have been considered:

 Green manuring.

 Supply of composted plant material with local ingredients.

 Use of plant residues.

 Compost management.

 Crop rotation to promote soil fertility.

These monitoring works have been carried out in four plots located in the Region of Murcia in the context of the LIFE AMDRYC4 Project.

The introduction of good agricultural practices, incorporating the addition of organic matter to the soil and the restoration of natural vegetation, increases biodiversity and soil quality, slowing down desertification processes and contributing to Initiative 4 ‰. The results obtained with these proposals have been assessed and evaluated through indicators (DESERTNET Indicators of Fertility, Salinity and Phytotoxicity).

A baseline has been obtained to define the initial state of the monitored areas, thus making it possible to calculate the different indicators and the real cost of improving soil ecosystem services, concluding that in general, the measures that provide organic matter to the soil, increase soil fertility and do not include phytotoxicity problems, thus meeting the objectives proposed in the Green Pact, moving towards soil neutrality and increasing the ecosystem services it produces.

How to cite: Martinez-Sanchez, M. J., Perez Sirvent, C., Martínez Lopez, S., Martinez Martinez, L. B., El-Jamaoui, I., Bech, J., and Hernandez Cordoba, M.: Good agricultural practices on rainfed soils in Mediterranean areas for the European Green Pact., EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-13373, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-13373, 2024.

The city of Outokumpu in Eastern Finland occupies a Cu-Co-Zn mining region.  Mining and metallurgical activities began already in 1913. This area falls within a zone with naturally high concentrations of Ni, Cu, Co, and Zn in soil and bedrock. In addition, mining waste has been used in earthworks, especially in the construction of the city's streets.

In the summer of 2023, the European Parliament and Council proposed a Soil Monitoring Law, comparable to the earlier regulations established to protect air and water. The proposal mandates member states to address soil contamination. The European Union funded Horizon Europe project ISLANDR ‘Information-based Strategies for Land Remediation’ will provide data, tools, and methods to support the initiative. ISLANDR is a cross-disciplinary and multi-actor project and aims to promote the delivery of Green Deal objectives.

To provide real-world research context for different land use, climate and vegetation, seven test areas across Europe were chosen for a more detailed survey. Test areas were selected to characterize both point and diffuse sources of pollution, as well as by different soil pollution types.

The test area representing the brownfield mining areas is Outokumpu. Extractive wastes rich in sulphur, nickel, copper, zinc, cobalt, chromium, and other 'potentially toxic elements' (PTEs) were stored according to regulation which earlier was not as advanced as today. These wastes were also used for construction purposes, causing additional acidity and PTE load for the environment. Locally, elevated concentrations of PTEs have been observed in soil, groundwater, and surface waters.

Recommendations for regulation and remediation methods are compiled. Financial challenges, proposed solutions to improve the environmental status of the region, and opportunities for reusing or decontaminating degraded soils are discussed. Lessons learned in the historical Freiberg mining area in Germany will be utilized (Loukola-Ruskeeniemi et al., 2022: J. Haz. Mat. 424, 127677). The results from Outokumpu and Freiberg will be compared, for example, with the results of the EU MIREU project (Mining and Metallurgy Regions of EU MIREU GTK).

How to cite: Kupila, J., Solismaa, S., Loukola-Ruskeeniemi, K., Sorvari, J., Reinikainen, J., Valve, H., and Kaija, J.: Challenges of old mining cities in the application of the proposed EU Soil Monitoring Law – Outokumpu, Finland, as an example, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-10725, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-10725, 2024.

Soil plays a fundamental role for both ecosystems and humans, and its characterization is an essential tool for strategic planning in areas such as agriculture, natural resource exploration and detection of potential soil contamination. To achive an effective geochemical characterization, it is necessary to study the background geochemical levels, considering the local geology of the environment and anomalous levels derived from point mineralization and anthropogenic activities such as mining or industrial activities. These background and reference levels are often published by each country or region. Although many regions in Spain have determined these levels, Castilla-La Mancha present incomplete partial information due to its extensive (79461 km2), complex geology (Variscan (meta)sedimentary and granitic domain, Alpine domain, Undeformed Mesozoic domain and Post-Alpine domain) and diverse mining activities (Almadén Hg district, Pg-Ag-Zn-Cu districts, Sb district, Campos de Calatrava volcanic field, clay, granite, Ca salts, Na salts and Diatomites mining areas). Given this scenario, the main objective of this work is to evaluate the applicability of portable x-ray fluorescence (pXRF) techniques to the determination of generic reference levels from large datasets. The proposal involves the analysis of a shortened pretreatment method to get an aliquot for analysis, and an analytical data quality study using certified reference materials (Soil-1, Soil-2, NIST-R, STSP-2, STSP-3 and STSP-4). For this purpose, the fine fraction dried in the laboratory were analyzed with a pXRF spectrometer in different modes, with “mining mode” and “soil mode”. Optimization of analysis times was carried out, setting it in 45s as the optimum time, after testing 60 and 90 seconds. Recovery percentages of major elements using “Mining mode” ranged Al, Mgand Si and “Soil mode” Ca, Fe and K, and for trace elements using “Mining mode” ranged Nb and P and using “Soil mode” As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, Zn, Zr. The following elements, Ag, Au, Cd, Co, Hg, Mo, Sn, Ta, Th and U have been discarded as being too different from the reference materials used. In conclusion, this rapid analysis technique offers an efficient solution for the characterization of large surface areas or the sampling of large number of samples. Of the analytical modes of pXRF, the “soil mode” is the most suitable in terms of quantification, providing results that are optimally adjusted to the analyzed patterns and on a larger number of analyzed elements.

How to cite: Martínez del Pozo, I., Gomez-Pachón, M., Ferri-Moreno, I., Esbrí, J. M., García-Lorenzo, L., Higueras, P., Lorenzo, S., and Arroyo-Rey, X.: Application of pXRF technique to the determination of major and trace elements in large soil datasets, advantages and limitations, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-15409, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-15409, 2024.

Metallic mining was very relevant in Spain last century. Because of this, currently there are numerous abandoned mines that suppose an environmental and human health risk. San Quintín Mining District (Ciudad Real) and San Antonio (Badajoz) are two examples of ancient metallic mining in Spain. In both mines there are a large volume of wastes like tailings, dumps or contaminated soils enriched with Zn, Pb, As, Cd, and Sb. San Quintín is currently being part of a project restoration that involves movement of tons of contaminated material. Twelve soil samples were collected from San Quintín Mining District and twenty-one were collected from San Antonio mine.

In these samples, the total trace element content was determined by X-Ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), in addition to other physicochemical parameters, such as pH and EC. To assess the human health risk, dermal bioaccessibility tests were carried out mixing wastes samples and two different synthetic sweats (EN1811 and NIHS96-10) during 2 and 8 hours.

The obtained results suggested that extraction interval percentages were: 0.01-57.29% for Cd, 0.001-55.768% for Pb, 0.001-93.180% for Zn, for San Quintín samples, 0.002-2.825% for Sb, for San Antonio samples and 0.001-0.707% for As, for all samples considered. The highest values correspond to extraction carried out with the lowest pH synthetic sweat (NIHS96-10) and specially for Zn, Cd and Pb. Metalloids appear to be less available or bioaccessible than heavy metals. Direct dermal contact between mine wastes and human skin, could mean the absorption of elements extremely harmful to health, thus restoration workers and anyone who can have contact with wastes, can be in danger if there are no security measures.

Contact with these mining residues poses a risk to human health, highlighting the necessity to assess not only dermal exposure but also inhalation and oral pathways for a comprehensive human risk assessment.

How to cite: Ferri-Moreno, I., Martínez-del-Pozo, I., Huertas, P., Esbrí, J. M., García-Lorenzo, L., and Higueras, P.: Dermal bioaccessibility and health risk of potential toxic elements (PTE) in mining environments (San Quintín Pb-Zn-Ag Mining Group and San Antonio Sb-W Mine, Spain)., EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-16808, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-16808, 2024.

This investigation focused on the response of minesoils to which an upper substrate of recycled aggregates was added. The experience consisted in a first characterization of the minesoils (February’23) and two sampling after rainfall events, occurred in consecutive months (March and April’23). Soil sample reaction (pH-Eh and electrical conductivity) was studied with a portable multiparametric, chemical composition was analysed by X-Ray fluorescence and mineralogy was assessed by X-Ray diffraction and electron microscopy SEM.

Results showed that soil surface became less acidic, changing from 3.6 to up 6 units of pH. It was probed that the alkalinizing lost reactivity at depth, since level b and c were progressively more acid, but also that it was being depleted in time. Redox conditions, nevertheless, behaved in distinct way, increasing at the three levels in time, that could affect the distribution of elements. In fact, content of Al, Fe and S slightly decreased in surface with time, but specially Al increased in depth, suggesting any mobilization to leader elements. On the other side, trace elements, specially As, trended to concentrate at the intermediate level, marking the importance of redox conditions in their distribution.

Initial mineralogy hardly varied along time, maintaining the presence of the main minerals (quartz, mica and jarosite from the soil and calcite and dolomite from the amendment). Anyway, bassanite appeared during treatment, at the time than calcite and dolomite were depleted, showing the interaction of those with sulphur liberated from the oxidized pyrite observed by SEM.

How to cite: Barba-Brioso, C., Delgado, J., Campos, P., Martín, D., and Romero-Baena, A.: Recycled Aggregates Effects on Acid Minesoils Response to Rainfall Events: Short-Term Study, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-19516, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-19516, 2024.

This research represents the first step at a pilot field scale following the success of a previous laboratory study that demonstrated the favourable performance of a bed of recycled concrete aggregates, reducing the pollutant load of acid drainage generated by polymetallic sulfidic mining residues.

Mobility studies of trace metals in water and calcium chloride were conducted to evaluate the evolution of potential availability of an amended minesoil over three months, and to test the effect of each rainfall episode on it. Analysis of the solutions extracted were performed by ICP-OES.

Mobil fraction of the main elements in surface was dominated by Ca, Mg and S, demonstrating that reactivity of the recycled concrete aggregates played a key role on the neutralization of minesoil surface, by dissolution of carbonates in reaction with the acid environment during rainfall.

Trace elements reduced their mobility respect to the original soils while main elements increased. On the other hand, the mobility in calcium chloride showed no significant differences. Depth profiles indicate that particularly the concentration of Zn increases in the deeper levels, while As and Pb exhibit greater mobility at intermediate levels of the profile. Finally, Cu is the element that seems to have a more stable behaviour in depth. The potentially more hazardous elements have reduced their mobility compared to the initial conditions before the application of the amendment. However, the data suggest a higher efficiency of the treatment in the first centimetres of the profile, indicating a need for a readjustment of the proportions of reactive material in the amendment.

How to cite: Delgado, J., Barba-Brioso, C., Romero-Baena, A., Martín, D., Campos, P., and Gónzalez, I.: Field Assessment of Recycled Aggregates as Mitigation Agents for Acid Leachates Caused by Rainfall Events over Mine Wastes: A Short-Term Study, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-20026, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-20026, 2024.