Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences

In order to assess the soil pollution level by heavy metals and also the possibility of metalsentrance in the food chain via plants, pollution load index (PLI), contamination factors (CF) and soil to planttransfer factors (TF) were calculated. Topsoil samples (1-10 cm) and plants growing on them were collectedfrom four areas in Baia Mare city and surroundings: three polluted areas (Ferneziu, Săsar and Center) andone reference area. The following heavy metals: Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, Co, Mn, Sn were analyzed in soiland plant samples by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The highest TF wereobtained for Cd (0.66-3.13) while the lowest values were calculated for Pb (0.004-0.02). The contaminationlevel of the soil within the investigated areas was assessed according to PLI values. Ferneziu district, wherethe lead smelter is located, was found being the most polluted site for Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn and Sn. Clusteranalysis was conducted in order to classify metals of different sources and origins. Cd, Pb, Sn, Zn and Cuoccur as a result of anthropogenic activities while Co, Cr, Mn and Ni in soil can be naturally found in thesoil composition