## 3 Results and Discussions
### XRF Soil Analysis
Due to the continuously increasing Sb concentrations released into the environment from various activities, such as mining, smelting, and burning fossil fuels, human health is also at risk. In high concentrations, it can interfere with developmental processes, immunity, reproductive systems, and may even contribute to the development of cancers. According to [PERSON] et al. (2023) [57], the accepted limit is 36 mg kg\({}^{-1}\), and amounts that exceed this limit become a problem for plants and organisms. In our study, Sb had an average value of 0.51 mg kg\({}^{-1}\), with a minimum of 0.48 mg kg\({}^{-1}\) found at 3 PS and 4 PS, and a maximum of 0.54 mg kg\({}^{-1}\) at 10 ES. All values were below the normal limit of 5 mg kg\({}^{-1}\)[52]. Zirconium (Zr) is the 20 th most common element in the earth's crust, with a naturally high abundance of 400 mg kg\({}^{-1}\). Its mobility in soil depends on pH and organic matter content. Typically, it is immobile and has no known biological functions in plants or animals. However, at high concentrations, it can cause phytotoxicity in plants and interfere with enzyme activity [58]. In our case, the average Zr value was 307.85 mg kg\({}^{-1}\), with a maximum of 361 mg kg\({}^{-1}\) found at 10 ES, and a minimum of 245 mg kg\({}^{-1}\) at 4 PS. These values are comparable to those obtained in the industrial area [34]. Figure 2: Elemental concentrations (mg kg\({}^{-1}\)) of contaminants found in 10 parks from Galati city, Romania (PS—playground sample; ES—edge of park sample); “Cd concentrations were multiplied by 10. Phosphorus (P) is an essential element for all life forms and, after N, is the most important for crops. Because it usually forms strong bonds with Ca, Fe and Al, only a small part of P remains available for plants [59]. In this study, a minimum value of 0.033 g kg\({}^{-1}\) was obtained at location 7 PS, and a maximum value of 3.01 g kg\({}^{-1}\) at 3 ES. Compared to the European mean value of 1.5 g kg\({}^{-1}\), the average phosphorus concentration value obtained in this study was lower. Strontium (Sr) is an element that can be released into the environment, particularly after nuclear accidents. It is dangerous and important to study and monitor due to its long half-life of 28.8 years and its tendency to accumulate in bone tissue, especially in children [60]. In this study, the average Sr value was 94.05 mg kg\({}^{-1}\), which is lower than the European average for soil (130 mg kg\({}^{-1}\)), the world average (250 mg kg\({}^{-1}\)) and the industrial soil value of 117.6 mg kg\({}^{-1}\). However, for urban soils, where the average is 45 mg kg\({}^{-1}\), this study presented a higher value. Chromium (Cr) presented a minimum value of 49 mg kg\({}^{-1}\) and a maximum of 78 mg kg\({}^{-1}\) for the playground samples (PSs) and for the edge of the park samples (ES), it ranged from 50 to 75 mg kg\({}^{-1}\). Since the normal value (NV) for Cr is 30 mg kg\({}^{-1}\)[52], all the measured values exceeded this limit (Figure 11, Appendix A). Compared to the European soil values for Cr, the concentrations obtained in this study are lower by approximately 20 mg kg\({}^{-1}\). However, they are slightly higher than the world average, by about 8 mg kg\({}^{-1}\). Comparing the obtained Cr values, they are lower than those reported in the literature for agricultural, industrial and urban soils from Galati, Romania [33; 34; 55]. The Cr values compared to those found in agricultural and industrial soils from Galati, Romania, as reported in the literature [33; 34] are lower. The chromium concentrations in the agriculturally influenced soil are 104.7 mg kg\({}^{-1}\) higher, while industrial soils contain 27.56 mg kg\({}^{-1}\) more Cr. These values are also higher than those reported in previous studies by [PERSON] et al. [31] on Galati (81.72 mg kg\({}^{-1}\)). The locations where the highest values were found were 4 and 7. Cr (III and VI) is associated with a high incidence of cancer formation and in cases of direct contact can cause dermatitis.