Terrestrial Eco-Toxicological Tests as Screening Tool to Assess Soil Contamination in Krompachy Area

In this study, we present a screening tool for assessing heavy metal inputs to agricultural and permanent grass vegetation in the soils of the Krompachy area. The objective was to evaluate ecotoxicity tests, specifically the Terrestrial Plant Test (modification of OECD 208, Phytotoxkit microbiotest on Sinapis Alba) and chronic tests of Earthworm (Dendrobaena veneta, modification of OECD Guidelines for the testing of chemicals 317, Bioaccumulation in Terrestrial Oligochaetes), as practical and sensitive methods for determining the effects of heavy metals in Krompachy soils. We conducted sampling from four sites in 2015, measuring total concentrations of Cu, Zn, As, Pb, and Hg, and determined that the proximity of sampling sites to a copper smeltery significantly influenced metal concentrations. The highest levels of these metals were found in soils within 3 km of the smeltery. Additionally, chronic toxicity tests revealed no mortality in earthworms over a 7-day exposure, although phytotoxicity tests indicated negative effects based on metal contamination levels. Our findings confirm the need for such ecotoxicological assessments in this region.