ASSESSMENT OF STRONTIUM, RUBIDIUM AND SCANDIUM STATUS IN SOILS AFFECTED BY SOLID WASTE DEPOSITS

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the level of contamination of soil with strontium, rubidium and scandium in the solid waste deposits. The study was performed on soil samples collected from Moldova Noua, southwest of Romania, an area with historical anthropogenic history. The soil analysis was performed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The samples were collected from five collection points using a random pattern from around the illegal waste deposit and all analyses were performed in triplicate. To assess the influence of wastes on the soils concentration levels of strontium (Sr), rubidium (Rb) and scandium (Sc), were calculated contamination factors (CF), and pollution index (PIL) by reporting the concentration of the investigated elements of the upper earth crust concentrations and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) calculated by reporting the elements concentration values to a control sample, used as reference. The reference sample was collected from an area close to the waste deposit but located in a protected green area. The results show that from the investigated elements, scandium is the element of concern, the soil presenting a moderate contamination level with this element.