Effect of parent material and atmospheric deposition on the potential pollution of urban soils close to mining areas

The aim of this study is to analyse the concentration and determine the sources of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in urban soils under the influence of mining activities. To this end, topsoil samples were collected in the public parks and green areas in Minas de Riotinto (a town next to one of the largest open pit mines in the world) and Aracena (a nearby town outside the area of influence of the mine). After determining the concentrations of elements of interest –Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, and Pb— the values were compared in terms of the soil location and origin (in-situ or ex-situ), and with the background and regulatory levels for the region. The elemental concentrations in the fine fraction of the soils (particles