Mineralogical association and geochemistry of potentially toxic elements in urban soils under the influence of mining

Polluted soil is an important source of exposure to potentially toxic elements (PTEs) for humans, especially in urban areas. We studied the fate PTEs total (<2 mm) and fine (<50 µm) fractions soils playgrounds, passing areas, vacant lots historic mining village Minas de Riotinto SW Spain. The mineralogical chemical observations included analysis by scanning electron microscopy, backscatter diffraction, X-ray Al, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, As, Cd, Ba, Tl, Pb after acid digestion Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry Sb fluorescence. natural mixed (consisting aggregate pavements) have significantly higher concentrations sulfide-associated (Ni, Sb, Pb) Ba comparison pavements. Most surpass regulatory levels set regional Government As declare a as contaminated. This work highlights soils. Primary geogenic sulfide minerals are prone oxidation promoting dissolution generation future. Additionally, first time, we described arsenian plumbojarosite beudantite which abundant secondary phases under circumneutral pH conditions, effectively retaining Pb. Inhalable small PTE-rich particles (<10 ?m) present many playgrounds garden areas posing health risk residents upon dusting resuspension air.