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<p>This study presents the first comprehensive assessment of soil contamination caused by military training activities at Slovenia’s largest military training ground, which has been used at varying intensities since the eighteenth century. Between 2005 and 2024, 118 soil samples were collected from different training zones at the Poček military training ground. Concentrations Pb, Cu, Cd and organic contaminants (PAHs, mineral oils, xylene, toluene) were analysed in the 0–5&#xa0;cm soil layer, while only metals were determined in the 5–20&#xa0;cm layer. These pollutants not only accumulate in soil but also have the potential to contaminate surface water and leach into groundwater, posing risks to terrestrial organisms. Lead and copper were identified as the principal contaminants, with maximum topsoil concentrations at the shooting range reaching 7,210&#xa0;mg/kg for Pb and 952&#xa0;mg/kg for Cu. These values exceed national critical values by factors of 13 and 3, respectively, and geochemical background levels by 190- and 53-fold. Several training zones showed no detectable contamination. The Soil Pollution Index indicated moderate contamination in the most affected areas, particularly the shooting range and the hand-grenade throwing range. Organic contaminants were generally absent, with only occasional increases in xylene, toluene, and mineral oil observed at specific locations in isolated years, all remaining below national alert values. A field experiment demonstrated that <i>Pinus sylvestris</i> has some potential for phytoremediation of Pb- and Cu-contaminated soils in forested karst environments under temperate conditions. This approach may also be applicable to other military-impacted sites, especially abandoned shooting ranges.</p>

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Assessment of impact of military activities on soil contamination with potentially toxic elements and organic pollutants: a case study for the Poček military training ground, Slovenia

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月27日

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  • Samar Al Sayegh Petkovšek,
  • Klemen Kotnik,
  • Kristijan Breznik

摘要

This study presents the first comprehensive assessment of soil contamination caused by military training activities at Slovenia’s largest military training ground, which has been used at varying intensities since the eighteenth century. Between 2005 and 2024, 118 soil samples were collected from different training zones at the Poček military training ground. Concentrations Pb, Cu, Cd and organic contaminants (PAHs, mineral oils, xylene, toluene) were analysed in the 0–5 cm soil layer, while only metals were determined in the 5–20 cm layer. These pollutants not only accumulate in soil but also have the potential to contaminate surface water and leach into groundwater, posing risks to terrestrial organisms. Lead and copper were identified as the principal contaminants, with maximum topsoil concentrations at the shooting range reaching 7,210 mg/kg for Pb and 952 mg/kg for Cu. These values exceed national critical values by factors of 13 and 3, respectively, and geochemical background levels by 190- and 53-fold. Several training zones showed no detectable contamination. The Soil Pollution Index indicated moderate contamination in the most affected areas, particularly the shooting range and the hand-grenade throwing range. Organic contaminants were generally absent, with only occasional increases in xylene, toluene, and mineral oil observed at specific locations in isolated years, all remaining below national alert values. A field experiment demonstrated that Pinus sylvestris has some potential for phytoremediation of Pb- and Cu-contaminated soils in forested karst environments under temperate conditions. This approach may also be applicable to other military-impacted sites, especially abandoned shooting ranges.