Normalization Method for the Detection of Low Level Chromium Contamination in the Soil of the Tisza River Floodplain (Hungary).

A normalization method was tested for the detection of low level chromium contamination in the soil of the Tisza River Floodplain in Hungary. The soils' so-called "total" metal concentration (strong acid extractable fraction) is the basis of many environmental evaluation methods, soil tests. In the floodplain soils cadmium, lead, zinc and copper occur in elevated concentrations, but their chromium concentration is not significantly higher than that of the control soils. The normalization method makes it possible to calculate the anthropogenic and geogenic chromium concentration in soil. Anthropogenic chromium was not detectable on the control sites, but a significant amount (4--14 mg/kg) was found in the floodplain soil samples. The applied normalization method proved the low level chromium contamination in the floodplain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]