Evaluating potentially toxic elements in urban park soils: human and environmental risk assessment in Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

Urban parks provide important ecological and social benefits but increasing urbanization and associated activities have led to the accumulation of potentially toxic elements in their soils, posing environmental and health risks. This study assessed soil pollution and associated ecological and human health risks in four urban parks (Letn & aacute;, Riegrovy sady, Kampa, and Stromovka) in Prague, Czechia. Soil concentrations of Fe, Cu, Cr, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were determined using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and risks were evaluated using ecological indices and human health models for children and adults. Results showed that sandy loam soil was the dominant texture, while soil pH varied significantly, ranging from strongly acidic in Riegrovy (5.23) to near neutral in Letn & aacute; (7.18). Potentially toxic element analysis revealed significant soil contamination, with the highest Cu (360 mg kg-1) and Zn (793 mg kg-1) concentrations in Riegrovy sady, while Kampa exhibited the highest levels of Pb (442 mg kg-1) and Mn (3225 mg kg-1). The ecological risk assessment identified Riegrovy sady (mCd\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$m{C}_{d}$$\end{document}: 16) and Kampa (mCd\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$m{C}_{d}$$\end{document}: 17) as the most contaminated sites, with Cu, Ni, and Pb posing the highest risks. The human health risk assessment indicated ingestion as the primary exposure route, with children under significantly greater risk than adults. The health risk assessment indicated that Pb and Cr posed non-carcinogenic risks to children, whereas Ni and Cr presented carcinogenic risks for both children and adults across all study sites. The findings emphasized an important call for effective soil remediation and thoughtful management of related risks in Prague's urban parks.