Živa u akvatičkim sedimentima i tlima u Hrvatskoj

Mercury is one of the most toxic and hazardous pollutant which occurs in the environment in different chemical forms, of which methylmercury is the most dangerous. Recently it was recognised that long-term anthropogenic inputs of mercury into environment resulted in the global mercury pollution and it was concluded that action should be taken to quantify the pollution sources and reduce human-generated releases of mercury. This paper presents new data on mercury levels in aquatic sediments from about 15 Croatian rivers, lakes and estuaries. It also brings data on mercury concentrations in soils from eight different regions of Croatia. Distribution of mercury species is discussed in more details for the Sava River, the Krka estuary and the Kaštela Bay on the eastern Adriatic coast. Results show that sediments and soils from Croatia are generally not contaminated by mercury, except for some rivers and coastal locations under direct anthropogenic influence.Živa je jedan od najtoksičnijih i najopasnijih zagađivala okoliša. Specifične kemijske karakteristike žive uzrok su njezina vrlo kompleksnog biogeokemijskog ciklusa u okolišu, a pojedine specije tog elementa posjeduju vrlo visoku toksičnost. Anorganska živa se u vodenim sustavima metilira mikrobiološkim procesima, a nastala metil-živa akumulira se u vodenim organizmima. Prije nekoliko godina utvrđeno je da je došlo do globalnog zagađenja živom zbog dugotrajnog antropogenog unosa žive u okoliš te je UNEP (engl. United Nations Environment Programme) pokrenuo internacionalni program s ciljem da se utvrde načini i količine unosa žive u okoliš djelovanjem čovjeka te predlože mjere da se taj unos smanji. U ovom radu prikazani su novi podaci o sadržaju žive u akvatičkim sedimentima i tlima u Hrvatskoj. Analizirani su sedimenti iz petnaestak rijeka, jezera i ušća te iz obalnih područja Jadrana, kao i tla iz osam različitih regija s područja cijele Hrvatske. Detaljnije je prikazana raspodjela kemijskih oblika žive u sedimentima rijeke Save, ušća rijeke Krke i Kaštelanskog zaljeva. Rezultati su pokazali da sedimenti i tla uglavnom nisu zagađeni živom, s izuzetkom nekoliko riječnih sustava koji su izloženi antropogenom utjecaju te posebice Kaštelanskog zaljeva koji je zagađen živom podrijetlom iz tvornice klor-alkalija. Prikazani podatci upotpunjeni su dostupnim literaturnim podatcima o razinama žive u okolišu u Hrvatskoj, posebice o masenim udjelima živinih spojeva u riječnim i morskim ribama, kao i procjenama unosa žive putem konzumacije riba u hrvatsku populaciju

Determination of Arsenic and Other Trace Elements in Bottled Waters by High Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Concentrations of arsenic and other trace elements in 18 different brands of bottled, mineral and spring, water in Croatia were investigated. For comparison, samples of tap water from Rijeka, Lourdes and Zagreb were also analyzed. The high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR ICP-MS) was used for the analysis. Results obtained were compared to Croatian maximum allowable levels for trace elements in drinking, mineral and tap water, as well as WHO and EPA drinking water standards. Concentration levels of all analyzed elements investigated in all examined water samples were below the maximum contaminant level prescribed by Croatian, WHO and EPA regulations

MORPHOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF NORWAY SPRUCE (Picea abies L., H. Karst.) IN DIFFERENT pH SOLUTIONS

U radu su prikazni rezultati morfloških značajki klijanaca obične smreke (Picea abies L., H. Karst.) u različitim pH otopinama. Sjeme je tretirano s 10 različitih pH otopina, u rasponu pH od 1,5 do 6,0 (povećanje svakih 0,5). Vodene otopine priređene su susljednim razrjeđivanjem ishodne, koncentrirane sumporne kiseline (H2SO4) i ultračiste vode (<18 MΩ cm). Za kontrolu je korištena ultračista voda. Ispitivanje je provedeno u laboratoriju prema uvjetima koje propisuje ISTA (International Seed Testing Association).U tri navrata (7, 14 i 21 dan) obavljena je procjena klijanaca u skladu s pravilima ISTA. Digitalnim fotoaparatom fotografirani su svi nepravilni klijanci. Izrađen je katalog sa slikom i opisom nepravilnih klijanaca s obzirom na pH otopine. Rezultati ovog istraživanja od velike su koristi za razumijevanje morfologije klijanaca kod prirodne obnove smrekovih šuma u promijenjenim ekološkim uvjetima (kisele kiše, zakiseljavanje tala). Osim dobrog uroda, preduvjet uspješne prirodne obnove smrekovih šuma između ostaloga su i pravilni klijanci.The paper presents the results of morphological properties of Norway spruce (Picea abies L., H. Karst.) seedlings in various pH solutions. The seed was treated with 10 different pH solutions with pH ranging from 1.5 to 6.0 (increase at every 0.5). Water solutions were prepared by sequential dilution of the original concentrated sumporic acid (H2SO4) and the ultrapure water (<18 MΩ cm). The ultrapure water was used for the control. The testing was carried out in the laboratory in line with the ISTA (International Seed Testing Association) prescribed conditions. The evaluation of seedlings was performed on three occasions (days 7, 14 and 21) according to the ISTA rules. A digital camera was used to photograph all abnormal seedlings. A catalogue was made containing photographs and decriptions of abnormal seedlings with respect to pH solutions. The results of this research help understand the seedling morphology present during natural regeneration of Norway spruce forests in altered ecological conditions (acid rains, soil acidification). Besides a good yield, the prerequisite for a successful natural regeneration of Norway spruce forests are normal seedlings

DISTRIBUTION OF ALKALI EARTH METALS AND ALKALI METALS (Ca, Mg, K, Na) IN THE FOREST SOIL OF MEDVEDNICA NATURE PARK

Odabrane zemnoalkalijske i alkalijske kovine Ca, Mg, K i Na sastavni su dio stijena litosfere i spadaju u 8 najzastupljenijih elemenata Zemljine kore. Trošenjem stijena na površini Zemljine kore u procesima pedogeneze postaju sastavnim djelom tla. S gledišta biljne ishrane, ovi se elementi ubrajaju u biljna hraniva i to K, Ca i Mg u makroelemente, odnosno potrebne (esencijalne) elemente, a Na u korisne (beneficijalne) elemente.Cilj ovog istraživanja je utvrditi kako litološka podloga, odnosno matični supstrat na području PP Medvednica utječe na udjel Ca, Mg, K i Na u tlu, te je li njihova prostorna raspodjela osim litološkom podlogom uvjetovana i reljefom.U šumi na području PP Medvednica uzet je 181 kompozitni uzorak po pravilnoj mreži 1 × 1 km u površinskom sloju tla do 5 cm dubine. Otvoreno je 28 pedoloških profila ravnomjerno raspoređenih, tako da obuhvate sve litološke cjeline. Na uzorcima površinskog sloja tla izmjereni su pH vrijednost tla (HRN ISO 10390:2005) i udjel elemenata Ca, Mg, K, Na nakon ekstrakcije zlatotopkom (HRN ISO 11466:2004). Na uzorcima uzetim iz genetskih horizonata u pedološkim profilima određeni su granulometrijski sastav tla (HRN ISO 11277:2004), pH vrijednost tla (HRN ISO 10390:2005), udjel organskog ugljika i ukupnog dušika suhim spaljivanjem (HRN ISO 10694:2004; HRN ISO 13878:2004), mineralni sastav tla (XRD) metodom rendgenske difrakcije i udjel elemenata Ca, Mg, K, Na nakon ekstrakcije zlatotopkom (HRN ISO 11466:2004).Za potrebe statističke analize matični supstrat podijeljen je u sedam karakterističnih litoloških cjelina, koje u svom radu prilikom geokemijskih istraživanja potočnih sedimenata Medvednice koriste geolozi Halamić et al. (2001). Litološku cjelinu LIT1 čine parametamorfitne stijene, litološku cjelinu LIT2 ortometamorfitne stijene, litološku cjelinu LIT3 magmatske stijene, litološku cjelinu LIT 4 mezozojske klastične stijene, litološku cjelinu LIT5 tercijarne klastične stijene, litološku cjelinu LIT6 mezozojske karbonatne stijene i litološku cjelinu LIT7 tercijarne karbonatne stijene.Statistička analiza napravljena je u programskom paketu Statistica 7. Za sve analizirane varijable napravljena je deskriptivna statistika: broj uzoraka, minimum, donji kvartil, medijan, gornji kvartil, maksimum, aritmetička sredina, standardna devijacija, koeficijent varijance, standardna pogreška aritmetičke sredine i asimetričnost.Kako bi se isključio utjecaj outlier-a i ekstremnih vrijednosti kao srednja vrijednost uzet je medijan, a međusobne razlike između analiziranih varijabli po litološkim podlogama testirane su Kruskal-Wallisov-im neparametrijskim testom. Greška tipa I (a) od 5% smatrana je statistički značajnom.Najviša pH vrijednost zabilježena je za površinski sloj tla na litološkim podlogama LIT6 i LIT7. LIT6 ima statistički značajno višu pH vrijednost od LIT1, LIT2, LIT3, LIT4 i LIT5, a LIT7 od LIT2, LIT4 i LIT5. Za sve litološke podloge utvrđena je statistički značajna pozitivna korelacija između pH vrijednosti i koncentracije Ca. Utvrđena je i statistički značajna pozitivna korelacija između pH vrijednosti i Mg za LIT1 i LIT5, te pH vrijednosti i K za LIT2 i LIT4. S obzirom na koncentraciju Mg jasno su se izdvojile dvije grupe koje čine LIT4, LIT5 i LIT7 s nižom koncentracijom i LIT2, LIT3 i LIT6 s višom koncentracijom dok je LIT1 između navedenih grupa. S obzirom na koncentraciju K jasno su se izdvojile dvije grupe koje se statistički značajno razlikuju i to LIT2, LIT3 i LIT5 s nižom koncentracijom te LIT4, LIT6 i LIT7 s višom koncentracijom, dok je LIT1 između navedenih grupa.Na otvorenim pedološkim profilima utvrđeni su sljedeći tipovi tala: distrični kambisol, eutrični kambisol, kalkokambisol, pseudoglej obronačni, koluvij i luvisol (udjel po zastupljenosti iznosi 50% – 18% – 14% – 11% – 4% –4%). Općenito se može reći da je humusnoakumulativni horizont na Medvednici plitak – medijan iznosi 3,3 cm, a aritmetička sredina 3,9 cm. Sljedeći, najčešće kambični, horizont je debljine 31 cm, odnosno 33 cm. Raspon udjela org. C u humusnoakumulativnom horizontu kreće se od osrednje humoznog do vrlo jako humoznog tla. Po udjelu ukupnog dušika tlo je dobro do vrlo bogato opskrbljeno, a C/N odnos je povoljan. Prema granulometrijskom sastavu tlo je najčešće praškasto-ilovaste teksture, a na karbonatnoj podlozi nešto teže praškasto-glinovitoilovaste teksture. Udjel pojedinih minerala, te Ca, Mg, K i Na u humusnoakumulativnom i mineralnom horizontu je podjednak, a korelacije između horizonata su statistički značajne (p<0,01). Za kvarc r = 0,81, muskovit/ilit r =0,68, klorit r = 0,76, feldspate r = 0,69, Ca r = 0,85, Mg r = 0,88, K r = 0,82 i Na r = 0,52. U bukovo-jelovim sastojinama najviša pH vrijednost i koncentracija Ca, Mg, K i Na zabilježeni su u površinskom sloju tla do 5 cm dubine na LIT3. Utvrđena je statistički značajna razlika u koncentraciji Ca između LIT3 te LIT1 i LIT2 i u koncentraciji Na između LIT3 i LIT1.Dobivene koncentracije Ca i Mg u površinskom sloju tla PP Medvednica u skladu su s vrijednostima koje su za središnju Hrvatsku prilikom izrade Geokemijskog atlasa RH dobili Halamić i Miko (2009). Podaci za sve dobivene elemente u skladu su s rezultatima dobivenim istraživanjem stanja šumskih tala Europe (Vanmechelen et al., 1997). Reljef (nadmorska visina, inklinacija, ekspozicija, zakrivljenost) ne utječe na prostornu raspodjelu Ca, Mg i Na u površinskom sloju tla do 5 cm dubine. Iako postoji statistički značajna veza između nadmorske visine i koncentracije Mg, odnosno nagiba i koncentracije Mg, ova veza zapravo je uvjetovana litološkom podlogom. Bukovojelove sastojine razvijene na tlima povrh bazičnih magmatskih stijena izdvajaju se po većem udjelu Ca, Mg, K i Na, a time i višom pH vrijednošću, pa se u njima može očekivati veći broj neutrofilnih vrsta.Alkali earth metals and alkali metals Ca, Mg, K and Na are a constituent part of the lithosphere rocks and belong among the 8 most abudant elements in the Earth´s crust. They are the results of the weathering of rocks on the surface of the Earth´s crust in the process of pedogenesis. From the aspect of plant nutrition, these elements belong to plant nutrients: K, Ca and Mg belong to macro-elements or essential elements, while Na belongs to beneficial elements.The goal of this research is to establish how the lithological bedrock, or parent material in the area of Medvednica Nature Park affects the Ca, Mg, K and Na content in the soil, and whether their spatial distribution is conditioned by the relief as well as by the lithological bedrock.A total of 181 composite samples were taken in the Medvednica NP forests. Topsoil samples to a 5 cm depth were taken in a regular 1 x 1 km grid. Twenty-eight pedological profiles were opened and evenly distributed to encompass all lithological units. Soil pH values (HRN ISO 10390:2005) were measured in topsoil samples and so was the content of the elements Ca, Mg, K, and Na after extraction with aqua regia (HRN ISO 11466:2004). Determination of particle size distribution in mineral soil material (HRN ISO 11277:2004), determination of soil pH ( HRN ISO 10390:2005), determination of organic carbon and total nitrogen after dry combustion (HRN ISO 10694:2004; HRN ISO 13878:2004), mineral content of the soil (XRD) by X-ray diffraction method and content of the elements Ca, Mg, K and Na after extraction with aqua regia (HRN ISO 11466:2004) were determined in the samples taken from genetic horizons in the pedological profiles.For statistical purposes, the lithological bedrock was divided into seven characteristic lithological units, which were used by geologists Halamić et al. (2001) in their study of stream sediments on Medvednica. Lithological unit LIT1 is made up of parametamorphic rocks, Lithological unit LIT2 is composed of orthometamorphic rocks, Lithological unit LIT3 consists of igneous rocks, Lithological unit LIT4 is formed of Mesozoic clastic rocks, Lithological unit LIT5 is comprised of Tertiary clastic rocks, Lithological unit LIT6 consists of Mesozoic carbonate rocks and Lithological unit LIT7 is made up of Tertiary carbonate rocks.Statistical analysis was performed in Statistica 7 software package. Descriptive statistics was made for all the analyzed variables: number of samples, minimum, lower quartile, median, upper quartile, maximum, mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, standard error of mean and skewness. In order to eliminate the effect of outliers and extreme values, the median was taken as the mean value. Mutual differences between the analyzed values per lithological bedrock were tested using the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test. Type 1 (a) error of 5% was considered statistically significant.The highest pH value was recorded for the topsoil layer in LIT6 and LIT7. LIT6 has statistically significantly higher pH value than LIT1, LIT2, LIT3, LIT4 and LIT5, while LIT7 has statistically significantly higher pH value than LIT2, LIT4 and LIT5. Statistically significant positive correlation between pH values and Ca concentrations were found in all lithological units. Statistically significant positive correlation between pH values and Mg was also established for LIT1 and LIT5, and between pH values and K for LIT2 and LIT4. In terms of Mg concentration, two groups were clearly identified: one consisting of LIT4, LIT5 and LIT7 with lower concentration, and the other comprising LIT2, LIT3 and LIT6 with higher concentration, while LIT1 is between the two groups.The following soil types were determined in the opened pedological profiles: dystric cambisol, eutric cambisol, calcocambisol, pseudogley on slope, colluvium and luvisol (50% – 18% – 14% – 11% – 4% – 4%). In general, the humus-accumulative horizon on Mt Medvednica is shallow – the median is 3.3 cm, and the mean is 3.9 cm. The next horizon, which is usually cambic, is 31 cm and 33 dm thick. The range of organic C content in the humus accumulative horizon ranges from medium humic to very humic soil. The soil is rich to very rich in total nitrogen, and the C/N ratio is favourable. The soil texture is most frequently silty loam, while on the carbonate bedrock it is of somewhat heavier – silty clay loam. The content of individual minerals, and of Ca, Mg, K and Na in the humus-accumulative and mineral horizon is more or less equal, while the correlation between the horizons is statistically significant (p<0,01). For quartz it is r = 0.81, muscovite/illite r = 0,68, chlorite r = 0,76, feldspate r = 0,69, Ca r = 0,85, Mg r = 0,88, K r = 0,82 and Na r = 0,52. The highest pH values and Ca, Mg, K and Na concentrations in beech-fir forests were recorded in the surface soil layer at a depth of 5 cm in LIT3. A statistically significant difference in Ca concentration was found between LIT3 and LIT2 and in Na concentration between LIT3 and LIT1.The obtained Ca and Mg concentrations in the topsoil of Medvednica Nature Park are in accordance with the values recorded in Central Croatia by Halamić and Milko during their work on the Geochemical Atlas of the Republic of Croatia (2009). The data for all the obtained elements concord with the results obtained from a study of the condition of forest soils in Europe (Vanmechelen et al., 1997). The relief (elevation, inclination, exposition, curvature) do not affect the spatial distribution of Ca, Mg and Na in the topsoil to a depth of 5 cm. Although there is a statistically significant correlation between elevation and Mg concentration, and slope and Mg concentration, this correlation is actually conditioned by the lithological bedrock. Beech-fir stands developed on the soils above basic igneous rocks are characterized by a higher Ca, Mg, K and Na content, and consequently higher pH values. As a result, a higher number of neutrophilic species can be expected in these forests

The effect of parent material on physical and mineral soil properties on Medvednica nature park

Matični supstrat, uz klimu, reljef, organizme i vrijeme, predstavlja jedan od pet glavnih pedogenetskih čimbenika. S pedogeneskog stajališta najvažnija su svojstva matičnog supstrata: mineralni i kemijski sastav, način i intenzitet trošenja te sadržaj biogenih elemenata. Cilj ovog rada je utvrditi utjecaj različitih matičnih supstrata na fizičke i mineralne značajke tla. Na području PP Medvednice na šest različitih litoloških cjelina otvoreno je 80 pedoloških profila: metamorfne stijene – dominantno škriljevci, metamorfne stijene – dominantno filiti, magmatske stijene, pješčenjaci, lapori i lako trošivi vapnenci. Uzorci tla uzeti su po horizontima, a analizirani su oni iz humusnoakumulatinog (A-horizont) i B-horizonta. Određeni su sljedeći parametri: debljina horizonata, dubina profila, udjel skeleta, garnulometrijski sastav tla, postojanost strukturnih mikroagregata i mineralni sastav tla (XRD) metodom rendgenske difrakcije. Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da postoje statistički značajne razlike između različitih litoloških cjelina za sve promatrane varijable osim debljine horizonata. Najveće dubine tla su povrh laporovitih stijena, a najmanje na dolomitiziranim vapnencima, što je ponajprije  uvjetovano načinom trošenja matičnog supstrata. Na svim istraživanim litološkim cjelinama, tla na području PP Medvednice vrlo su postojanih mikroagregata. U odnosu na B-horizont u humusnoakumulativnom horizontu utvrđena je veća postojanost strukturnih mikroagregata. Tla povrh lakotrošivih vapnenaca imaju statistički veći udjel gline i manji udjel krupnog i sitnog pijeska od tla ostalih litoloških cjelina. Za sve litološke cjeline teksturna oznaka najčešće je u rasponu od praškaste do glinaste ilovače, dok je na litološkoj cjelini povrh vapnenaca udjel gline statistički značajno veći, pa je teksturna oznaka u rasponu od praškaste glinuše do glinuše. Litološke cjeline povrh magmatskih i metamorfnih stijena imaju statistički značajno manji udjel minerala kvarca i veći udjel minerala klorita i feldspata u odnosu na sedimentne stijene.The highly complex lithological structure as well as topographic characteristics of the Medvednica area are responsible for its profound vegetational, micro-climatic and pedophysiographic diversity. In view of the quality of the original soil-forming material, the first place is taken by rocks and their detritus which directly govern soil physical composition. The best indicators of soil physical composition are its depth, colour, skeletal nature, particle size distribution, soil density, density of soil solid phase, total porosity, water capacity, air capacity, structure and hydraulic properties. On Medvednica, these vary greatly and play the main role in defining soil quality. The success of ecosystem management depends on the knowledge of the above factors. The goal of this research is to determine how the lithological base, or parent material, primarily affects physical (horizon thickness, profile depth, skelet proportion, soil texture, soil structure) and mineral soil properties.A total of 80 pedological profiles were opened in the Medvednica Nature Park area and evenly distributed so as to comprise all the representative lithological units. Samples of physically altered soils were taken from genetic horizons, as well as a fragment of rock, i.e. parent material, for the purpose of determining the lithological rock affiliation. Soil samples has been analayzed in the humus-accumulative (A horizon) and first under mineral horizon (mostly B horizon). The differences between the topsoil humus-accumulative and B horizon were statistically analyzed per lithological units. The samples were prepared (ISO 11464 2006) and analyzed in the laboratories of the Faculty of Forestry of the University of Zagreb and at the Croatian Geological Institute in Zagreb. According to FAO (2006), the following was determined in situ: the proportion of skelet per genetic horizon, horizon thicknesses and total profile depth. Laboratory analyses of the samples taken from genetic horizons included the particle size distribution according to ISO 11277:2009, stability of structural microaggregates according to Pernar et al. (2013) and mineral soil composition (XRD) using the X-ray diffraction method on X-ray diffractrometer X’Pert PRO MPD.For the needs of statistical analysis, parent material was divided into six characteristic units, leaning in part on the classification of Halamić et al. (2001) used during geochemical research of stream sediments on Medvednica. The lithological unit LIT1 is represented by metamorphic rocks, predominantly greenschists, muscovite chlorite and quartz-muscovite schists. The lithological unit LIT2 is represented by metamorphic rocks, predominantly phyllites. The lithological unit LIT3 consists of igneous rocks, predominantly diabases and spilites. The lithological unit LIT4 are Mesozoic clastic rocks of Lower Cretaceous age, and comprise sandstones, siltites and shales. The lithological unit LIT5 consists of Mesozoic and Tertiary clastic rocks dominantly represented by marls. LIT6 is made up of Tertiary carbonate rocks represented by lithotamnic limestones together with clay limestones (Figure 1).Statistical analysis was performed with Statistica 7 software. Descriptive statistics was made for all the analyzed variables, including the number of samples, arithmetic means and standard deviation. Differences between the analyzed variables by lithological units were tested with a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), on condition that the assumption of homogeneity of variance was satisfied. For those variables in which the test of homogeneity of variance was not satisfied, the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test was used. Type I error (a) of 5 % was considered statistically significant.The following soil types were identified in the opened pedological profiles: dystric cambisol, eutric cambisol, calcaric cambisol, stagnosol, regosol and luvisol (the percentage ratio by representation is 62 % – 19 % – 10 % – 4 % – 3 % – 2 %).Based on the comparison of soils formed in six different lithological units, it can be concluded that physical and mineral soil properties depending on type of litological units. Silty to clay loam is the most represented textural class in Medvednica Nature Park. It was found on metamorphic rocks above greenschist and phyllite, igneous rocks, sandstones and marls, whereas on easily weathered limestones the textural class ranges from silty clay to clay. The analysis of particle size distribution (content of individual fractions) showed that the profiles developed on silicate lithological parent material have on average higher sand content compared to the profiles developed on carbonate rocks, which is conditioned by the manner of parent rock weathering. Higher clay content above easily weathered limestones eventually led to variability of the textural class in relation to other lithological units. In all the investigated lithological units in terms of structural microaggregate stability, the soils in Medvednica Nature Park manifest highly stable microaggregates. In relation to the B-horizon, the humus-accumulative horizon revealed higher stability of structural microaggregates, which can be attributed to higher content of organic matter in the topsoil horizon. The soils above igneous and metamorphic rocks have significantly lower content of the mineral quartz and higher content of the minerals chlorite and feldspar in relation to the soil above sedimentary rocks. There was no difference in muscovite/illite contents in lithological substrates. Soil was the deepest above marl rocks and the shallowest above dolomitised limestones, which is primarily conditioned by the manner of parent material weathering.Our research highlights all the complexity and heterogeneity of the geological-lithological structure of Medvednica. In combination with other pedogenetic factors, it manifests even higher soil heterogeneity, which eventually causes problems in the processing and interpretation of the results.This research provides reference data on physical and mineral properties of soils in Medvednica Nature Park in the most represented lithological units. However, these data should be taken with caution and should be compared with the results of other similar studies, since the same lithological parent material may give rise to the formation of soils of different taxonomic affiliation, depending on the changes in the constellation of other pedogenetic factors (climate, vegetation, relief)

Forest Soil Pollution with Heavy Metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, and Cu) in the Area of the “French Mines” on the Medvednica Mountain, Republic of Croatia

Background and Purpose: This paper deals with the results of the investigation of the selected heavy metal contents in forest soil in the region of an abandoned mine. The analysis of the forest ecosystem soil on the Medvednica Mountain was conducted in the region of the so-called “French Mines” (FM). The elements selected for analyses were cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) because of their toxicological characteristics. Material and Methods: In the investigated area - five entrances of the FM - composite topsoil samples (0–5 cm) were taken. Those samples were compared to the control samples which were taken outside the area affected by mines. The soil samples were analysed for the following parameters: pH, particle size distribution, organic C content and pseudo-total mass fractions of the selected heavy metals. The heavy metals were determined by atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS). Results and Conclusion: The results reveal that the soil is locally polluted, i.e. the highest mass fraction values of these four heavy metals were found in the area of the FM. Average pseudo-total fraction of Cd in the analysed topsoil samples was in the range of 0.17–4.41 mg·kg−1 (median: 0.97 mg·kg−1). Cu was found in the range of 4.54–1260 mg·kg−1 (median: 45.7 mg·kg−1). In the case of Zn, mass fraction values were found in the range of 36.8–865 mg·kg−1 (median: 137 mg·kg−1). Finally, average values of the pseudo-total fraction of Pb were found in the range of 58.4–12000 mg·kg−1 (median: 238 mg·kg−1). The results reveal that mining activities leave consequences on soil for a long time