The present study characterizes the distribution in soils of Iasi and the surrounding areas of the heavy metals with direct human and animal health concern. The soil sampling area covers a square-shaped perimeter with a 15 km length, using a 500 m equidistant square grid, from the surface soil layer.
In the northern low topographic part of Iasi, the soil cover consists mainly of chernozems, which is the dominant soil type in this area. The southern part of the perimeter, genetically-evolved soils are dominant (entic luvisols), related to the altitude changes. The south-central and eastern parts are dominated by fluvisols, and on the territory of Iasi city is covered by (urbic) entic anthrosols. Agricultural terrains occupy the inter-basinal areas with low angle slopes, and sometimes occur as small areas dispersed among the vineyard terrains. The later have lost proportion as the urban areas have extended. The grasslands are associated with the stepper slopes south of Iasi and with the heterogeneous terrains with slopes bordering the valleys of small hydrographic basins.
The Pb content does not exceed the maximum allowed concentration, the highest values being associated with the industrial areas (209.8 ppm at Fortus SA), along roads, and in the rural farming areas. Cd analysis didn't reveal any values above the normal limits, with the exception of the city's domestic waste disposal platform (9.185 ppm) and the industrial areas (with lower values).
Regarding the 100 ppm alert limit for Cu, the values present an enrichment up to twice and triple within vineyard perimeters and only accidentally exceed the intervention limit (500 ppm). Local anomalies in case of Cu are interpreted as a consequence of the improper storage and transportation of Cu rich solutions used to treat the vine crops. As in the previous situation, Zn rarely exceeds normal values (100 ppm). The zinc concentrates locally, with values of the concentration double than the normal ones, being associated with vineyard cultivation.
The rural area is not intensely affected by heavy metals pollution, with the exception of the vineyards and orchards, where are registered high values of Cu and Zn. The urban area is locally polluted, the process being correlated with the industrial activities, waste disposal perimeters and locally with the strongly anthropic affected soils (through material mixing).
