Health risk and ecotoxicological assessment of water bodies and sediments in the vicinity of slag heap in Siechnice, Lower Silesia, Poland (Ocena ekotoksykologiczna wód i osadów dennych w okolicy hałdy pohutniczej w Siechnicach (Dolny Śląsk, Polska) wraz z oceną ryzyka zagrożenia zdrowotnego)

Abstract

Abstract The studies of the impact of post-metallurgical landfill were conducted in Siechnice near Wrocław, Lower Silesia. The samples of sediments and water were taken at different distances from the slag heap area. We assessed the metal concentrations in the samples, then ecotoxicological tests were conducted as well. Ostracodtoxkit F was performed to measure the toxicity of sediments. Daphtoxkit F magna and Algaltoxkit F tests were performed to evaluate water quality. 30% mortality rate of H. incongruens (Ostracodtoxkit F) was recorded in sediment studies in the closest site to the waste dump. The highest mortality rate of D.magna in 100% dilution after 48 hours was observed in water samples taken from the closest distance to slag heap, and the death rate did not exceed 50%, therefore it was not possible to establish LC50. The concentrations of selected heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, Fe, Cr) were determined in sediment samples. It was found that the closest site to the landfill was moderately/heavily polluted with Cr according to LAWA classification. The health risk assessment of the sediments was estimated by calculating non-carcinogenic health risk such as Hazard Quotient (HQ), Hazard Index (HI); and carcinogenic risk - Excessive Risk of Cancer Development (ECR). Hazard Index (HI ing) for Cr was exceeding 1 for children, implying possible adverse health effects might occur. ECR values for Cr and Pb were above the range limit of 10⁻⁶ in all sample points. But the cancer risk was found to be very low.