206 AES Bioflux, 2011, Volume 3, Issue 2. http://www.aes.bioflux.com.ro AES BI OFLUX Advances in Environmental Sciences - International Journal of the Bioflux Society Assessment of heavy metals contents in soil from an industrial plant of southern part of Romania Diana Florescu, Andreea Iordache, Iuliana Piciorea, and Roxana E. Ionete ICIT Râmnicul Valcea, Romania, European Union. Corresponding author: diana.florescu@icsi.ro Abstract . An investigation of soils is performed in order to establish the impact of heavy metal pollution near an industrial power plant. The use of synthetic products (e.g. pesticides, paints, batteries, industrial waste and land application of industrial or domestic sludge) can result in heavy metal contamination of soils. Heavy metals also occur naturally, but rarely at toxic levels. Soil samples from different depth were drawn. Heavy metals such as Pb, Zn, Cu and Mn were analysed to establish the level of contamination relative to maximum limits enforced by environmental protection agencies. In addition, a measurement for the total organic carbon (TOC) concentration is accomplished. Key words: Industrial soils, heavy metals, organic carbon. Rezumat . Studiul s-a realizat în vederea stabilirii impactului poluării cu metale grele asupra unor soluri provenite dintr-o zona industrial ă. Contaminarea solului cu metale grele poate rezulta în urma unor deversări ale deşeurilor industriale, folosirea unor pesticide şi datorită altor lucr ări agricole. Au fost recoltate probe de la diferite adâncimi în vederea monitorizării metalelor grele (Pb, Zn, Cu şi Mn) stabilindu-se nivelul de contaminare al acestora raportat la cel impus de agenţia de protecţie a mediului. Pentru a întregi acest studiu, s-a determinat şi carbonul organic total (TOC) din aceste probe. Cuvinte cheie : sol contaminat, metale grele, carbon organic. Introduction . Soil pollution is caused by the presence of man-made organic chemicals or other alteration in the natural ecosystems. This type of contamination arises from the rupture of underground storage tanks, application of pesticides, leaching of wastes from landfills or direct discharge of industrial wastes to the soil. The most common chemicals involved are petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, pesticides and heavy metals (Fleşeriu 2010; Mathur et al 2010; Coşier & Petrescu-Mag 2008). Chemical and metallurgical industries are the most important sources of heavy metals in soils and sediments (Lokeshwari & Chandrappa 2006). Soil pollution can lead to water pollution if toxic chemicals leach into groundwater or if runoff reaches streams, lakes or oceans (Boukhalfa 2007). The presence of heavy metals in soil can affect the quality of food, groundwater, micro-organisms activity and plant growth (de Vries et al 2007). Heavy metals and other potentially toxic elements are the most serious soil pollutants. Not unexpectedly, soil contaminants can have significant deleterious consequences for ecosystems. Maximum allowed limits for contaminants are enforced in many countries. Thus, representative soils from Turceni industrial area, sampled from eight (2m, 3.5m, 5.5m, 6.3m, 7.5m, 8.9m, 13m, 14.5m) different depths were selected to be measured. Turceni is a city located in south of Gorj county and came around two industrial projects in the area: Hydropower and Thermal Power Turceni, which form Turceni Energy Complex. The whole activity of small town revolves around them. City Turceni lies largely on the stream of Jiu and Jilt. In terms of climate, the area falls within the specific units southwest climate, a hilly continental climate, with calm winters and cool and dry summers, with sufficient rainfall, but uneven. Materials and Methods Instrumental . The pH measurements were done using normal pH-meter. The concentrations of the organic carbon were determined in aqueous solutions and heavy metals (Mn, Cu, Pb and Zn) were determined in aqua regia extractant.