Rare earth elements and Heavy metals in soils of an open landfill

Five soils samples and four clay samples have been collected during December 2014 in a landfill of Central Italy to evaluate the environmental status in the area. The main objective of this study is the characterization of soil samples in relation to heavy metals values and to critically assess the measured values with respect to anthropogenic input vs lithogenic background. Heavy metals in soils can be associated with several reactive materials and may exist in various forms that reflect their solubility and availability. To evaluate the various chemical forms present in the soils, steps I (exchangeable) and V (residual) of the sequential extraction procedures established by Tessier et al. (1979) and optimised by Frankowski et al. (2010) have been used. Elements investigates are V, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Cd, Sb, Tl and Pb. The results of analyses have been used for statistical analyses and to determine enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo). These index have been calculated using average crustal values, lithosphere values and clay values of the study area, for determining differences between values.Furthermore, have been determined the rare earth elements in samples. The Rare earths elements abundance in soils usually exhibit the typical distribution pattern reported in geological samples, although fractionation is possible, controlled by pedogenic factors such as pH, redox condition and organic matter content. Have been determined the REE in clay samples representative of geologic pattern of the area sampled in different deep.