Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in terraced soil on flysch deposits of Kaštela Bay coastal area, Croatia

The aims of this study were: (i) to determine concentrations of heavy metals (HMs): Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in terraced soils on flysch deposits of Kaštela Bay coastal area, Croatia, (ii) to highlight their possible sources and (iii) to compare concentrations of HMs among olive groves, vineyards and abandoned agricultural land (grassland). In a total of 26 topsoil samples (0-25 cm) were analyzed for pH, carbonates, organic carbon, K2O, P2O5, texture and concentrations of the HMs. The elements were extracted with aqua regia and determined by inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The following mean values of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations were 0.39, 46.54, 15.82 and 51.39 mg*kg-1, respectively. The principal component analysis (PCA) and the correlation matrix (CM) revealed weak relationships HMs with soil properties and strong similarity among Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations indicating its common origin, controlled by different anthropogenic activity. The Cu poorly correlated with all other metals that point to its different origin - application of copper-based fungicide. The mean concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn in vineyards, olive groves and grasslands were not statistically significant difference. The Cu concentrations in vineyards were significantly higher compared to other land use types

Abstract licence: CC BY-ND

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