The Assessment of Heavy Metals Content in Total and Bioavailable forms in the Soils Surrounding Cementownia Chelm S.A. in Chelm, Poland

The study consisted in assessing the impact of the cement industry on the selected physicochemical properties and total and bioavailable content of heavy metals in soils located in the vicinity of the factory. The sampling points were located in the four transects to the east, west, north and south of the plant, at an increasing distance of 0 - 250 - 500 - 1500 and 2000 m. The soil samples were collected from the depth of 0-20 cm. The analysed soils were characterised by the significant presence of calcium carbonate, distributed evenly in all directions. Concentrations of heavy metals were characterised by high variation, depending on the direction and distance from the cement factory. The percentages of bioavailable forms of heavy metals in the general pool did not exceed 10%