Concentrations and In Vitro Bioaccessibility of Metals in Soils at Urban Green Spaces in Toronto, Ontario

This study investigated metal concentrations and pH in 75 soil samples obtained from 25 urban green spaces within the City of Toronto. In vitro bioaccessibility was determined in eight of the samples as a surrogate for bioavailability. The mean concentrations of metals of interest, As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were below the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) soil quality guidelines for residential/parkland use. The incorporation of in vitro bioaccessibility data in the human health risk assessment indicated a generally low risk associated with soil ingestion in the examined urban green spaces. The analysis revealed that 7 out of the 75 sampled sites exceeded the CCME guidelines for Ni, Cr, or Pb underscoring the need for additional investigation to identify potential sources of contamination.

Author dc:creator

• Abayawardana, Crystal

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Dodd, Matt

• School of environment and sustainability

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25316/IR-19252

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10613/27579