What is causing the problems with soil contamination?
High concentrations of heavy metals or toxic organic substances were identified in the central part of the city, increased contamination was found around industrial facilities. The highest contamination levels are associated with illegal waste dumps. Some examples: Troja – Bohnice The area of Troja – Bohnice was selected for monitoring as one of the sites identified in the course of the geochemical mapping conducted by the Czech Geological Institute. It has been confirmed that the area under observation is contaminated with cadmium and other hazardous elements. Although the concentrations only exceed Limit A as set forth in the Methodological Directive referred to above, they are substantially higher than elsewhere in Prague. Spots contaminated with nonpolar extractable substances (NES) and locally also with polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) have been identified as well. The source of the contamination may be sediments of the Vltava River and possibly
