**3. Results and discussion**

#### **3.1. Soil load by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)**

The comparison of regional load by PAHs shows very clear conclusion: The load of the North Moravian region by PAHs is demonstrably higher. The fundamental statistical data of soil load by sum of PAHs show table 5 (North Bohemian region) and table 6 (North Moravi‐ an region). The most loaded district is the Ostrava district with longterm metallurgical tradi‐ tion where 85% of soil samples overcome preventive limit (1mg/kg) for sum of PAHs in Czech agricultural soils (reflecting background value). The observed maximal values differ ten times between the regions. The differences could be also found from the viewpoint of structural characteristics of contamination. While the participation of toxic beno(a)pyrene in total load by PAHs reaches about 7% in the North Bohemian region, its participation in the load reaches almost 17% in the North Moravian region (table 7). The load of individual dis‐ trict by PAHs can be documented by the comparison of number of exceeding of proposed indication limit for benzo(a)pyrene and sum of PAHs [12]. There was observed only one limit overrun among the North Bohemian samples, the exceeding was distinctive for ben‐ zo(a)pyrene and sum of PAHs (table 8). In the North Moravian region (table 9), there were documented seven localities exceeding indication limit for benzo(a)pyrene or sum of PAHs. Only two localities show exceeding for both indicators and maximum observed value is generally ten times higher than in the North Bohemian region. On the other hand must be accepted that soil load by PAHs was caused by floods on three localities (Stara Karvina) in the North Moravian region. Nevertheless, the problems with increased load by carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene in the North Moravian region also follow from this comparison.


load of region spreads to the Moravskoslezske Beskydy Mountains in the east of region. The similar trend can be seen in the case of fluoranthene in the North Moravian region, but more visible surface load can bee seen in the North Bohemian region in comparison with ben‐ zo(a)pyrene (Figure 4). Very probably, more massive load by fluoranthene, that is typical for burning processes, is given by fossil combustibles in towns more than by industrial activities in the North Bohemian region. Moreover, the comparison of layout of coal-fired power sta‐ tions in the region of North Bohemia (black squares indicate the areas of coal-fired power stations) and the presence of areas with increased load by fluoranthene indicates important role of their activity. Only one coal-fired power station in the North Moravian region (Det‐ marovice) situated close to border with Poland does not influence the load of region by

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The quality of the load is evaluated on the base of ratio of PAHs substances with 2 nuclei, 3-4 nuclei and 5-6 nuclei. Table 10 presents the values of the sum of medians of individual substances grouped on the base of nuclei number. This value indicates not only the quality of the load but also the quantity (cumulative effect of observed concentrations). Only the quality of the load is defined by the values of medians of the groups PAHs differentiated by nuclei num‐ bers. The both characteristics demonstrate significantly increased load by more nuclei substan‐ ces in the North Moravian region in comparison with the North Bohemian region and increased

toxicity of the load in the North Moravian region by PAHs consecutively.

**Figure 3.** The load of the North Moravian Region by benzo(a)pyrene and fluoranthene (μg/kg)

The recent development in the North Moravian region proved no decreasing temporal ten‐ dency of air pollution by dust particles and also PAHs, because there spatially coincide vari‐ ous pollution sources in the region and the situation needs more complicated approach in

PAHs as shows the map.

**Table 5.** The load of agricultural soils by sum of PAHs in North Bohemian Region


**Table 6.** The load of agricultural soils by sum of PAHs in North Moravian Region


**Table 7.** The load of soil by benzo(a)pyrene and fluoranthene in North Bohemian and North Moravian Regions

The stronger impact of load by PAHs on health problems of inhabitants in the Nord Moravi‐ an region was presented by some authors [4,5]. Spatial distribution of POPs in both region is presented by contour maps where the load by benzo(a)pyrene and fluoranthene (the most widespread PAH substance) is visualised by GIS tools. The load by benzo(a)pyrene in the North Bohemian and North Moravian region shows Figure 3. The load in the North Bohe‐ mian region is given mainly by point sources of contamination and just two points with higher contents of sum of PAHs were found, the first near the Decin town and the second one in north-western part of the region. The load in the North Moravian region by carcino‐ genic benzo(a)pyrene shows surface contamination mainly in the field area around the Os‐ trava city, increased load is obvious in the vicinity of the Trinec town (ironworks) and the load of region spreads to the Moravskoslezske Beskydy Mountains in the east of region. The similar trend can be seen in the case of fluoranthene in the North Moravian region, but more visible surface load can bee seen in the North Bohemian region in comparison with ben‐ zo(a)pyrene (Figure 4). Very probably, more massive load by fluoranthene, that is typical for burning processes, is given by fossil combustibles in towns more than by industrial activities in the North Bohemian region. Moreover, the comparison of layout of coal-fired power sta‐ tions in the region of North Bohemia (black squares indicate the areas of coal-fired power stations) and the presence of areas with increased load by fluoranthene indicates important role of their activity. Only one coal-fired power station in the North Moravian region (Det‐ marovice) situated close to border with Poland does not influence the load of region by PAHs as shows the map.

**District Samples number Samples number**

18 Organic Pollutants - Monitoring, Risk and Treatment

**Table 5.** The load of agricultural soils by sum of PAHs in North Bohemian Region

**Table 6.** The load of agricultural soils by sum of PAHs in North Moravian Region

Samples increased %

Samples number increased

**District Samples number Samples number**

**increased**

**increased**

**Benzo(a)pyrene Fluoranthene**

Samples number increased

Maximum value (mg/kg)

North Bohemia 13 7.3 8.39 30 16.8 5.43 North Moravia 53 50 32.5 52 49.1 68.3

**Table 7.** The load of soil by benzo(a)pyrene and fluoranthene in North Bohemian and North Moravian Regions

The stronger impact of load by PAHs on health problems of inhabitants in the Nord Moravi‐ an region was presented by some authors [4,5]. Spatial distribution of POPs in both region is presented by contour maps where the load by benzo(a)pyrene and fluoranthene (the most widespread PAH substance) is visualised by GIS tools. The load by benzo(a)pyrene in the North Bohemian and North Moravian region shows Figure 3. The load in the North Bohe‐ mian region is given mainly by point sources of contamination and just two points with higher contents of sum of PAHs were found, the first near the Decin town and the second one in north-western part of the region. The load in the North Moravian region by carcino‐ genic benzo(a)pyrene shows surface contamination mainly in the field area around the Os‐ trava city, increased load is obvious in the vicinity of the Trinec town (ironworks) and the

Ostrava 40 34 85 28.1 Karvina 33 15 45,5 37.81 Frydek-Mistek 33 14 42,4 336.2 Together 106 63 59,4 336.2

Decin 27 2 7.4 5.71 Usti/Labem 33 4 12.1 5.68 Teplice 47 11 23.4 7.67 Most 39 7 18 46.52 Chomutov 33 3 9.1 3.88 Together 179 27 15.1 46.52

**Samples increased % Maximum value**

**Samples increased % Maximum value**

Samples increased % **(mg/kg)**

**(mg/kg)**

Maximum value (mg/kg)

The quality of the load is evaluated on the base of ratio of PAHs substances with 2 nuclei, 3-4 nuclei and 5-6 nuclei. Table 10 presents the values of the sum of medians of individual substances grouped on the base of nuclei number. This value indicates not only the quality of the load but also the quantity (cumulative effect of observed concentrations). Only the quality of the load is defined by the values of medians of the groups PAHs differentiated by nuclei num‐ bers. The both characteristics demonstrate significantly increased load by more nuclei substan‐ ces in the North Moravian region in comparison with the North Bohemian region and increased toxicity of the load in the North Moravian region by PAHs consecutively.

**Figure 3.** The load of the North Moravian Region by benzo(a)pyrene and fluoranthene (μg/kg)

The recent development in the North Moravian region proved no decreasing temporal ten‐ dency of air pollution by dust particles and also PAHs, because there spatially coincide vari‐ ous pollution sources in the region and the situation needs more complicated approach in comparison with the North Bohemian Region where technology improvement in coal-fired power stations influenced positively air quality.

**3.2. Soil load by monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs)**

**Locality District Benzo(a)pyrene**

Przno Frydek-Mistek **2.31** 23.12 Paskov I Frydek-Mistek **32.5 336.17** Paskov II Frydek-Mistek 0.19 **95.68** Ostrava-Arnostovice Ostrava **2.98** 28.06 \*Stare Mesto Karvina I Karvina **2.72** 25.01 \*Stare Mesto Karvina II Karvina **3.18** 27.89 \*Stare Mesto Karvina III Karvina **3.56 37.81**

**Table 9.** The localities of the North Moravian region with the load by PAHs exceeding proposed indication limit for

Ratio 1 92.6 9 1 2227.8 288.2

Ratio 1 5 4 1 255.1 72.8

**Table 10.** The sum of medians and medians of PAHs substances in soil differentiated by nuclei number

**North Bohemian Region North Moravian Region** 2n 3-4n 5-6n 2n 3-4n 5-6n

0.002 0.192 0.018 0.0006 1.337 0.173

0.002 0.01 0.008 0.0006 0.153 0.0437

benzo(a)pyrene and sum of PAHs in agricultural soil \* The load by PAHs after floods – fluvial load

nected with burn processes.

Sum of substance. medians (mg/kg)

Medians of n-groups (mg/kg)

The soil load by individual substances (benzene, toluene, xylene, e-benzene) from the group of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs) present tables 11 (North Bohemian Region) and 12 (North Moravian Region). The comparison shows that more loaded by MAHs is the North Bohemian region. The most loaded district is Most where petrochemical factory (Za‐ luzi u Mostu) is situated. The region Most shows not only the highest number of limit ex‐ ceeding but also the highest maximal values. E-benzene is the substance with maximal detected value (0,9 mg/kg) at all. Opposite, no exceeding of e-benzene limit in the soil was observed in the North Moravian region where only very slight exceeding of preventive val‐ ue of benzene, toluene and xylene was observed. Only exceeding of preventive limit was ob‐ served and no exceeding of indication limit was detected in the soils of both regions. It is evident that the load by monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons immediately relates to chemical industry and there is no correlation with the load by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons con‐

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**(mg/kg)**

**Sum of PAHs (mg/kg)**

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**Table 8.** The localities of the North Bohemian region with the load by PAHs exceeding proposed indication limit for benzo(a)pyrene and sum of PAHs in agricultural soil

**Figure 4.** The load of the North Bohemian Region by benzo(a)pyrene and fluoranthene (μg/kg)

#### **3.2. Soil load by monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs)**

comparison with the North Bohemian Region where technology improvement in coal-fired

**Horni Jiretin** Most **8.39 46.52**

**Figure 4.** The load of the North Bohemian Region by benzo(a)pyrene and fluoranthene (μg/kg)

**Table 8.** The localities of the North Bohemian region with the load by PAHs exceeding proposed indication limit for

(mg/kg)

Sum of PAHs (mg/kg)

power stations influenced positively air quality.

20 Organic Pollutants - Monitoring, Risk and Treatment

benzo(a)pyrene and sum of PAHs in agricultural soil

**Locality** District Benzo(a)pyrene

The soil load by individual substances (benzene, toluene, xylene, e-benzene) from the group of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs) present tables 11 (North Bohemian Region) and 12 (North Moravian Region). The comparison shows that more loaded by MAHs is the North Bohemian region. The most loaded district is Most where petrochemical factory (Za‐ luzi u Mostu) is situated. The region Most shows not only the highest number of limit ex‐ ceeding but also the highest maximal values. E-benzene is the substance with maximal detected value (0,9 mg/kg) at all. Opposite, no exceeding of e-benzene limit in the soil was observed in the North Moravian region where only very slight exceeding of preventive val‐ ue of benzene, toluene and xylene was observed. Only exceeding of preventive limit was ob‐ served and no exceeding of indication limit was detected in the soils of both regions. It is evident that the load by monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons immediately relates to chemical industry and there is no correlation with the load by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons con‐ nected with burn processes.


**Table 9.** The localities of the North Moravian region with the load by PAHs exceeding proposed indication limit for benzo(a)pyrene and sum of PAHs in agricultural soil \* The load by PAHs after floods – fluvial load


**Table 10.** The sum of medians and medians of PAHs substances in soil differentiated by nuclei number


**District Samples number Samples number**

Ostrava 40 0 benzene

Karvina 33 1 benzene

Frydek-Mistek 33 0 benzene

Together 106 1 benzene

**District Samples number Samples number**

**Table 13.** The load of soils by sum of PCB7 in the North Bohemian region

**District Samples number Samples number**

**Table 14.** The load of soils by sum of PCB7 in the North Moravian region

**increased**

0

The Comparison of Soil Load by POPs in Two Major Imission Regions of the Czech Republic

2.5 toluene 2.5 xylene 0 e-benzene

3.03 benzene 0 toluene 0 xylene 0 e-benzene

0 benzene 0 toluene 0 xylene 0 e-benzene

0.94 benzene 0.94 toluene 0.94 xylene 0 e-benzene

1 toluene 1 xylene 0 e-benzene

0 toluene 0 xylene 0 e-benzene

0 toluene 0 xylene 0 e-benzene

1 toluene 1 xylene 0 e-benzene

**Table 12.** The load of soils by individual monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the North Moravian region

**increased**

**increased**

Ostrava 40 17 42.5 0.43 Karvina 33 5 15.15 0.13 Frydek-Mistek 33 5 15.15 0.26 Together 106 27 25.47 0.43

Decin 27 4 14.82 0.52 Usti/Labem 33 2 6.06 0.08 Teplice 47 0 0 0.01 Most 39 1 2.56 0.05 Chomutov 33 0 0 0.01 Together 179 7 3.91 0.52

**Samples increased % Maximum value**

**(mg/kg)**

0.017 benzene 0.031 toluene 0.039 xylene 0.009 e-benzene

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0.032 benzene 0.010 toluene 0.009 xylene 0.004 e-benzene

0.020 benzene 0.003 toluene 0.010 xylene 0.002 e-benzene

0.032 benzene 0.031 toluene 0.039 xylene 0.009 e-benzene

**(mg/kg)**

**(mg/kg)**

**Samples increased % Maximum value**

**Samples increased % Maximum value**

**Table 11.** The load of soils by individual monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the North Bohemian region

#### **3.3. The load of soils by chlorinated hydrocarbons (PCBs, DDTs)**

The soil load by sum of seven PCB congeners (28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) in the North Bohemian and North Moravian region are presented in tables 13 and 14. There is distinctive difference between the loads of the regions when the North Moravian region is loaded much more. More than 25% samples exceeded proposed preventive limit for PCB7 in agricultural soils in the North Moravian region. Only 3.9% samples exceeded preventive limit in the North Bohemian region. The most loaded district from both regions is the district Ostrava where 42.5% samples exceeded preventive limit. The maximal value was detected in the sample from the district Decin in the North Bohemian region. The value 0.52 mg/kg is 26 multiple of proposed preventive limit (0.02 mg/kg) and about one half of proposed indica‐ tion limit (1 mg/kg) for PCB7 in the soil. The sources of PCB in the environment are concen‐ trated in industrial areas and usually relate to the presence of dumps and waste incinerators [22]. PCB load may relate to historical environmental burdens when PCB revolatilization from soil depends on weather conditions. These processes very probably reflect the soil load of the Ostrava district with high concentration of human activities. The increased soil load was for example confirmed in the urban area of the Prague city by our investigation and general load of Czech agricultural soils moves in the interval of 1.19 – 20.11 μg/kg (geomet‐ ric means calculated for individual districts of the Czech Republic). The average PCB7 con‐ tents in humic horizons of Czech agricultural soils ranged between 5.5 μg/kg (2000 – 2003) and 8.43 μg/kg (2004) following the data of Czech National Stocktaking [23].

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**Table 12.** The load of soils by individual monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the North Moravian region


**Table 13.** The load of soils by sum of PCB7 in the North Bohemian region

**District Samples number Samples number**

22 Organic Pollutants - Monitoring, Risk and Treatment

Teplice 47 1 benzene

Most 39 3 benzene

Together 179 4 benzene

**increased**

1 toluene 4 xylene 6 e-benzene

3 toluene 6 xylene 6 e-benzene

4 toluene 10 xylene 12 e-benzene

**Table 11.** The load of soils by individual monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the North Bohemian region

and 8.43 μg/kg (2004) following the data of Czech National Stocktaking [23].

The soil load by sum of seven PCB congeners (28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) in the North Bohemian and North Moravian region are presented in tables 13 and 14. There is distinctive difference between the loads of the regions when the North Moravian region is loaded much more. More than 25% samples exceeded proposed preventive limit for PCB7 in agricultural soils in the North Moravian region. Only 3.9% samples exceeded preventive limit in the North Bohemian region. The most loaded district from both regions is the district Ostrava where 42.5% samples exceeded preventive limit. The maximal value was detected in the sample from the district Decin in the North Bohemian region. The value 0.52 mg/kg is 26 multiple of proposed preventive limit (0.02 mg/kg) and about one half of proposed indica‐ tion limit (1 mg/kg) for PCB7 in the soil. The sources of PCB in the environment are concen‐ trated in industrial areas and usually relate to the presence of dumps and waste incinerators [22]. PCB load may relate to historical environmental burdens when PCB revolatilization from soil depends on weather conditions. These processes very probably reflect the soil load of the Ostrava district with high concentration of human activities. The increased soil load was for example confirmed in the urban area of the Prague city by our investigation and general load of Czech agricultural soils moves in the interval of 1.19 – 20.11 μg/kg (geomet‐ ric means calculated for individual districts of the Czech Republic). The average PCB7 con‐ tents in humic horizons of Czech agricultural soils ranged between 5.5 μg/kg (2000 – 2003)

**3.3. The load of soils by chlorinated hydrocarbons (PCBs, DDTs)**

Chomutov 33 0 0 0.04 e-benzene

Decin 27 0 0 0.02 e-benzene Usti/Labem 33 0 0 0.04 e-benzene

**Samples increased % Maximum value**

2.13 benzene 2.13 toluene 8.51 xylene 12.77 e-benzene

7.7 benzene 7.7 toluene 15.4 xylene 15.4 e-benzene

2.23 benzene 2.23 toluene 5.59 xylene 6.70 e-benzene **(mg/kg)**

0.08 benzene 0.08 toluene 0.12 xylene 0.1 e-benzene

0.11 benzene 0.15 toluene 0.48 xylene 0.90 e-benzene

0.11 benzene 0.15 toluene 0.48 xylene 0.90 e-benzene


**Table 14.** The load of soils by sum of PCB7 in the North Moravian region


**4. Conclusion**

The data of soil load by observed POPs groups in two environmentally affected areas indi‐ cate generally higher load of the North Moravian region in comparison with the North Bo‐ hemian region. This result is especially supported by the comparison of soil load by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The load relate to spatial coincidence of various pollution sources connected with high concentration of metallurgy and with high urbanization rate in the Ostrava agglomeration. The load of soil by polyaromatic hydrocarbons has diffuse char‐ acter and exceeding of proposed preventive limit value (based on PAHs background values in Czech soils) was detected on most observed localities. The exceeding of proposed indica‐ tion limit value for PAHs in soil (derived from human health risks) was detected in the North Moravian region as well. Markedly increased soil load was also monitored in the case of PCBs in the North Moravian region where the effect of increased urban environment plays important role. Nevertheless, the intensity of the load by PCBs is lower and only pre‐ ventive limit values were exceeded. The different trends were proved for two POPs groups – monoaromatic hydrocarbons and DDTs and its metabolite. While soil load by DDTs is comparable in both regions (with some qualitative differences) the load of agricultural soils by MAHs is markedly higher in the North Bohemian region and especially in the Most dis‐ trict. This is the consequence of petrochemical industry situated close to the Most town. The recent development in both regions may be evaluated as better in the North Bohemian re‐ gion where the investment into technologies in coal-fired power stations decreased the load of environment by contaminants. The adverse emission situation in the North Moravian re‐

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25

gion with increased concentration of metallurgy is still remaining.

**5. Lists of abbreviations**

Corg-Content of organic carbon

DDT-Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane

PCB7-Sum of 7 polychlotinated biphenyls congeners

PCDDs/Fs-Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/furans

PM10-Particulate matter in air of size <10 μm

PM2.5-Particulate matter in air of size < 2.5 μm

MAHs-Monoaromatic hydrocarbons

PAHs-Polyaromatic hydrocarbons

POPs-Persistent organic pollutants

REs-Risky elements

**Table 15.** The load of soils by DDT and its metabolites in the North Bohemian region

DDT and its congeners have been still registered in agricultural soil of the Czech Republic in spite of DDT use finished in 1974 [22]. DDT decomposition is generally reflected by slowly increased contents of DDE in soils. This trend is more visible in the North Moravian region where the ratio of DDT/DDE/DDD has value 3.5/4/1 while in the North Bohemian region has value 4/1.7/1 (indicating relatively more recent load). We have the hypothesis about non legal use of high doses of DDT in the North Bohemian forests (the Ore Mountains) during the bark beetle calamity in the eighties of 20th century (unsworn information). The level of soil load by DDT and its metabolites is comparable in both regions. Only the Decin district in the North Bohemian region, where no exceeding was observed, differs from the other dis‐ tricts. This fact shows no gap with our hypothesis because the Ore Mountains range does not reach the Decin district area. The general trends of DDTs concentration are complicated in the soils of the Czech Republic because a strong oscillation of DDTs values was observed [23]. Nevertheless the data of Czech National Stocktaking show the decreasing number of DDT exceeding of preventive limit during 2000 – 2002 years (from 60 to 18) and increasing number of DDE exceeding of preventive limit (from 14 to 24).

Only the maximal values of DDTs in the soils of both regions exceed preventive limits and the maximum 1.21 mg/kg reaches 30.25% of proposed indication limit value.


**Table 16.** The load of soils by DDT and its metabolites in the North Moravian region
