V3 Pilková Z., Hiller E., Filová L., Jurkovič Ľ., 2021: Sixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in roadside soils at traffic intersections (Bratislava, Slovakia): concentrations, sources and influencing factors. Environmental Geochemistry and Health Vol. 44(20): 1-20, doi: 10.1007/s10653-021-01122-7

V3 Pilková Z., Filová L., Hiller E., Mihaljevič M., 2024: Re-Interpretation of metal(loid) concentrations of urban soils of two different land uses by positive matrix factorisation. Environmental Forensics Vol. 25(6): 626-644, doi: 10.1080/15275922.2024.2330021

V3 Hiller, E., Škerliková Pilková, Z., Filová, L., Mihaljevič, M., Faragó, T., Vítková, M., Jurkovič, Ľ., 2026: Urban garden soils and vegetables as vectors of potentially toxic elements across Bratislava: Citywide distribution, sources, and health implications. Soil and Environmental Health. Vol. 4(1), Art. No. 100192. doi: 10.1016/j.seh.2026.100192

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V3 Pilková Z., Filová L., Hiller E., Mihaljevič M., 2024: Re-Interpretation of metal(loid) concentrations of urban soils of two different land uses by positive matrix factorisation. Environmental Forensics Vol. 25(6): 626-644, doi: 10.1080/15275922.2024.2330021

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Co-investigator

Project number: 101112723. Project duration: 1.10.2023 - 30.9.2027. Project name: Achieving Remediation And GOverning Restoration of contaminated soils Now. Acronym: ARAGORN.

Financed by: EUROPEAN RESEARCH EXECUTIVE AGENCY (REA)

Anotation: Soil contamination is a severe hazard to humans and the environment. We propose Achieving Remediation And GOverning Restoration of contaminated soils Now (ARAGORN) through development and implementation of a complete framework. The framework starts from the identification of contaminated sites and presents a decision-making tree to identify remediation and restoration strategies, and

contribute to the aims of the EU Soil Strategy. The framework is grounded in scientific progress and adapted to fully support public and

private land managers to take effective actions to protect, remediate and restore the environment on Europe’s polluted soils. ARAGORN

will provide better insights into contaminated sites and improve remediation and restoration decision-making by implementing robust

mapping and monitoring tools that are fit-for-purpose and covers a wide range of contaminants. Neglected hotspot polluted sites will be

identified by fit-for-purpose monitoring and decision strategies. This will enable public and private stakeholders of contaminated sites to

move from regrettable remediation to restorative remediation. ARAGORN will compile and test remediation strategies and sustainable

soil decontamination solutions, and will develop and put in practice nature-based solutions, improve knowledge on biodiversity and

deliver a framework for step-by-step decision making in terms of what is the best approach for resilient restoration in various European

countries. The complete framework will be developed together with strategic engagement of land managers throughout Europe, and by

rooting knowledge through co-creative processes and sustainable infrastructures. The implementation will be done through a strong team

of multidisciplinary scientists and practitioners with ongoing commitments with a diverse set of stakeholders across Europe at the local,

national and EU level. We will interlink land managers and sectors across Europe to take effective action on soil health and provide

longevity links and support to several EU policy and international commitments.

Co-investigator

VEGA no. 1/0246/23. Project duration: 2023 - 2025. Project name: Spatial distribution, geochemical fractionation, oral bioaccessibillity and bioaccumulation of hazardous trace metals/metalloids in soils and vegetables of urban community and private gardens in Bratislava

Financed by: Vedecká Grantová Agentúra MŠVVaM a SAV

Anotation: Community and private gardens in urban areas have many functions; one of them is self-sufficiency of the residents with home grown vegetables and fruit. On the other hand, soil and cultivated products can pose a health risk to people, as urban areas are characterized by many emission sources of non-essential trace elements in soils and cultivated crops. The main objective of this project is to determine the contents of trace elements characteristic for the urban environment (arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and zinc (Zn)) in soils and vegetables of community and private gardens in the capital city of the Slovak republic - Bratislava. This project will include the measurement of oral bioavailability of trace metals using „in vitro“ tests, which is a more appropriate indicator of the potential human health risks assessment. 

Co-investigator

PANACEA - Podpora cirkulárnej ekonomiky využitím odpadových materiálov v inovatívnych remediačných technológiách zameraných na odstraňovanie mikropolutantov z pevných matríc. Plán obnovy a odolnosti SR, 09I01-03-V04 – Matching granty ku zdrojom získaným v rámci programu Horizont 2020 a Horizont Európa. Trvanie projektu 9/2024-6/2026.

Anotation: Micropollutants are organic or inorganic pollutants of natural or synthetic origin, which are found in trace amounts (ng to µg) in environment. Despite their very low concentration, they have a negative impact on individual environmental compartments and are toxic to living organisms. The PANACEA project is focused on the laboratory study of the removal of micropollutants from solid matrices (soils, sludges, sediments) using reagents prepared from waste and/or natural materials and at the same time applying innovative and environmentally acceptable approaches. The aim of the project is the degradation, transformation or immobilization of micropollutants and thus reducing their concentration and mobility in the environment. The use of waste materials for the remediation of contaminated matrices is also in line with the principles of the circular economy and the long-term strategy of the European Union in the field of environmental protection and waste management.

Chief researcher

Project number: UK/9/2021. Project duration: 2021. Project name: Concentration, distribution and bioavailability of selected potentially toxic metals and metalloids in the soils of community gardens in Bratislava

Financed by: Comenius University in Bratislava

Anotation: The evaluation of concentrations of selected trace metals and metalloids in the soils of community gardens and in cultivated crops is a current topic in the world with regard to current trends in our own organic fruit and vegetable growing. This method of growing vegetables is also gaining popularity in Bratislava. The degree of bioavailability of toxic substances for plants and the risk arising from their consumption is the subject of this research. The main goal of the presented project is to determine the concentrations of selected potentially toxic elements present in the soils of community gardens and in cultivated crops (root and leafy vegetables). First, a selection of community gardens suitable for this research will take place. The main condition is the cultivation of vegetables, as there are also community gardens fulfilling exclusively recreational and social function. The experimental part of the project includes soil and vegetable sampling, which will take place in the summer months at the time of harvest and their subsequent preparation for analysis.

Chief researcher

Project number: UK/42/2022. Project duration: 2022. Project name: Evaluation of bioaccessibility of selected metals and metalloids from soil substrate and root vegetables from community gardens in Bratislava

Financed be: Comenius University in Bratislava

Anotation: Evaluation of bioaccessibility of seleted metals and metalloids from community gardens soils is important while taking into account current trends of self sufficient organic cultivation of vegetables and fruits in urban areas. This method of cultivation is also gaining popularity in Slovak towns, particularly in Bratislava. Main aim of this research is to evaluate bioaccessibility of toxic metals and metalloids for plants and humans, and to evaluate potential risks from consumption of cultivated produce. One of the aims of this project is to determine concentrations of selected trace metals and metalloids in soils and cultivated produce (root and leaf vegetables). The project will follow up to the previous project UK/09/2021, during which it was possible to establish contact with community gardens in Bratislava. Participation of community gardens is possible under the condition of cultivating produce.