Multi criteria analysis of soil pollutio

This study highlights the consequences on soil pollution of one hundred years of manufacturing in the Copper Mining and Smelting Complex RTB-Bor (Serbia). Soil sediments were taken via a probe from the surface layer of the soil at twelve different measuring points, all within 20 km of the smelting plant, which included both urban and rural zones. Soil sampling was performed using a soil core sampler, removing a core of soil with a radius of 5 cm and a depth of 30 cm. The samples were analyzed for pH and heavy metal concentrations (Cu, Pb, As, Cd, Mn, Ni, and Hg) using various spectrometric methods. The results revealed high values of heavy metal contents in the samples: 2,540 mg kg-1 Cu, 230 mg kg-1 Pb, 6 mg kg-1 Cd, 530 mg kg-1 Ni, 1,300 mg kg-1 Mn, 260 mg kg-1 As, and 0.3 mg kg-1 Hg. Critical zones of polluted soil were identified and ranked based on metal content using the multi-criteria decision method PROMETHEE/GAIA. The ranking results indicated that the most polluted zones are located in areas crucial to the town's functions. The high bioavailability of heavy metals through complex reactions with organic species in sediments poses serious risks to human health if these metals enter the food chain.