Influence of Different Types of Land Use on the Contents of Potentially Toxic Elements and De-icing Salts in Roadside Soils and Trees in Urban Areas

Jin-Hee Ju, Ju-Young Park and Yong-Han Yoon
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Jin-Hee Ju: Department of Green Technology Convergence, College of Science, Konkuk University, Chungju-si 27478, Korea
Ju-Young Park: Korean Environment & Water Works Institute, Seoul 07202, Korea
Yong-Han Yoon: Department of Green Technology Convergence, College of Science, Konkuk University, Chungju-si 27478, Korea

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 21, 1-8

Abstract: In order to manage the urban environment and reduce pollution, it is essential to determine potentially toxic elements and de-icing salts in roadside soils and plants, which are major components of green infrastructure. A field study was conducted to elucidate the influence of land use on potentially toxic elements and de-icing salts in roadside soil and trees in urban areas. The effect of land use was determined in commercial, residential, industrial, and green areas of Cheongju city. The roadside soil and plant samples were collected from four different sites along a major roadway in the city. The chemical parameters determined were pH, electronic conductivity, potentially toxic elements (Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, As, Pb, Ni), and de-icing salts (Na, Ca, Mg). The pH, electronic conductivity, potentially toxic elements (except copper), and de-icing salt values were significantly ( p < 0.05) affected by the land use. On the other hand, the potentially toxic element (except zinc and nickel) levels in roadside tree leaves ( Ginkgo biloba ) were not affected by the different land use, whereas the de-icing salt levels were significantly different ( p < 0.05). The enrichment factor (EF) of potentially toxic elements was found to be lower than that of de-icing salts with the highest values of sodium in green areas and of magnesium in commercial areas. These results provide information on the implications of land use, including the surrounding area of influenced roadside soil and plant chemistry for the urban ecosystem.

Keywords: best management practices; green infrastructure; soil–plant–atmosphere continuum; soil pollution; urban ecosystem (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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