Investigation of inorganic nutrients and pollutants in private gardens in central Germany using citizen science
Even though private gardens play an important role in food supply, relatively little is known about pollutant concentrations in the corresponding soils. Due to limited access to private gardens, primarily allotment and community gardens are typically examined, which means that front- and backyard ga...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Environmental Challenges |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667010025000162 |
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| author | Christoph Koch Maria Peter |
| author_facet | Christoph Koch Maria Peter |
| author_sort | Christoph Koch |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Even though private gardens play an important role in food supply, relatively little is known about pollutant concentrations in the corresponding soils. Due to limited access to private gardens, primarily allotment and community gardens are typically examined, which means that front- and backyard gardens are generally not considered. In our study, we examined corresponding soils in central Germany using a citizen science approach. The soil samples were collected in private gardens by the participating citizens. The samples were extracted with aqua regia and analyzed using ICP-AES. However, chromium and nickel concentrations were elevated in a quarter of the samples. High levels of lead and copper were found in one-third of the gardens, and in the case of zinc, in two-thirds of the samples. In addition, samples in which particularly high concentrations of pollutants were found were extracted with ammonium nitrate to examine the substances that are readily available to plants. Here, too, some corresponding limit values were found to be exceeded. Our data thus provide a first basis for a better understanding of the uptake of inorganic pollutants through the consumption of home-grown fruit and vegetables in various types of private gardens. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-111643c193364e448a49cee4a6dc0ec7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2667-0100 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Environmental Challenges |
| spelling | doaj-art-111643c193364e448a49cee4a6dc0ec72025-01-31T05:12:37ZengElsevierEnvironmental Challenges2667-01002025-04-0118101096Investigation of inorganic nutrients and pollutants in private gardens in central Germany using citizen scienceChristoph Koch0Maria Peter1Corresponding author.; Technical and Environmental Chemistry, Ernst-Abbe-University of Applied Sciences, Carl-Zeiss-Promenade 2, 07745 Jena, GermanyTechnical and Environmental Chemistry, Ernst-Abbe-University of Applied Sciences, Carl-Zeiss-Promenade 2, 07745 Jena, GermanyEven though private gardens play an important role in food supply, relatively little is known about pollutant concentrations in the corresponding soils. Due to limited access to private gardens, primarily allotment and community gardens are typically examined, which means that front- and backyard gardens are generally not considered. In our study, we examined corresponding soils in central Germany using a citizen science approach. The soil samples were collected in private gardens by the participating citizens. The samples were extracted with aqua regia and analyzed using ICP-AES. However, chromium and nickel concentrations were elevated in a quarter of the samples. High levels of lead and copper were found in one-third of the gardens, and in the case of zinc, in two-thirds of the samples. In addition, samples in which particularly high concentrations of pollutants were found were extracted with ammonium nitrate to examine the substances that are readily available to plants. Here, too, some corresponding limit values were found to be exceeded. Our data thus provide a first basis for a better understanding of the uptake of inorganic pollutants through the consumption of home-grown fruit and vegetables in various types of private gardens.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667010025000162Citizen scienceGardenPollutionSoil |
| spellingShingle | Christoph Koch Maria Peter Investigation of inorganic nutrients and pollutants in private gardens in central Germany using citizen science Environmental Challenges Citizen science Garden Pollution Soil |
| title | Investigation of inorganic nutrients and pollutants in private gardens in central Germany using citizen science |
| title_full | Investigation of inorganic nutrients and pollutants in private gardens in central Germany using citizen science |
| title_fullStr | Investigation of inorganic nutrients and pollutants in private gardens in central Germany using citizen science |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigation of inorganic nutrients and pollutants in private gardens in central Germany using citizen science |
| title_short | Investigation of inorganic nutrients and pollutants in private gardens in central Germany using citizen science |
| title_sort | investigation of inorganic nutrients and pollutants in private gardens in central germany using citizen science |
| topic | Citizen science Garden Pollution Soil |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667010025000162 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT christophkoch investigationofinorganicnutrientsandpollutantsinprivategardensincentralgermanyusingcitizenscience AT mariapeter investigationofinorganicnutrientsandpollutantsinprivategardensincentralgermanyusingcitizenscience |