Professional paper

Copper and zinc in olive grove soils in Kaštela Bay area

Aleksandra Bensa ; Sveučilište u Zagrebu Agronomski fakultet, Zagreb, Hrvatska *
Nikolina Jurković Balog ; Sveučilište u Zagrebu Agronomski fakultet, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Ivan Magdić ; Sveučilište u Zagrebu Agronomski fakultet, Zagreb, Hrvatska

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Copper and zinc are biogenic microelements, that in elevated concentrations can have a toxic effect on plants and microorganisms. Anthropogenic sources of copper in olive grove soils are predominantly fungicides, while zinc is known to enter the soil through mineral fertilizers and pesticides. The study aimed to determine the Cu and Zn concentrations in olive grove soils in Kaštela Bay area and to assess soil pollution. A total of 50 samples were taken from the surface soil horizon (Terra rossa soil 30 samples and Anthropogenic soils on flysch 20 samples). A total concentration of copper and zinc in soil were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectromtery (ICPOES). The particle size analysis and determination of basic soil properties were conducted by classical analytical procedures. The established Cu concentrations varied in a very wide range of 19.6-301.3 mg kg -1, with an average value of 106.9 mg kg -1. Zinc concentrations varied from 31.9 to 198.5 mg kg -1 having an average value of 102.8 mg kg -1. Lower Cu and Zn concentrations were observed in anthropogenic soils on flysch compared to Terra rossa soils. According to the Ordinance on the Protection of Agricultural Land from Pollution (NN 71/19) studied soils were not polluted by Zn. In 53.3% of samples from Terra rossa soils pollution by Cu was established, while anthropogenic soils on flysch were not polluted by Cu. The obtained results indicate the need for further, more detailed study on copper in olive groves, especially on Terra rossa soils.

Keywords

Terra rossa; flysch; soil pollution

Hrčak ID:

353303

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/353303

Publication date:

26.10.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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