Original scientific paper
Heavy Metals in the Soil of the Kamenjak Public Institution
Jakovljević Tamara
; Croatian Forest Research Institute, Jastrebarsko, Croatia
Lucija Lovreškov
; Croatian Forest Research Institute, Jastrebarsko, Croatia
Jasnica Medak
; Croatian Forest Research Institute, Jastrebarsko, Croatia
Ivana Sirovica
; Croatian Forest Research Institute, Jastrebarsko, Croatia
Katarina Bulešić
; Kamenjak Public Institution, Premantura, Croatia
Goran Stjepić
; Kamenjak Public Institution, Premantura, Croatia
Abstract
Kamenjak Public institution is the holder of protected areas of very important natural unctions and ecosystem services. Significant increase in negative anthropogenic impact, mainly with the increasing number of motor vehicles during the summer months, is largely reflected in the content of soil pollutants such as copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn), which can potentially negatively affect the entire food chain, including human health. Considering the exceptional importance of landscape as a protected area in everyday life of people, flora and fauna, the aim of this study was to determine the presence of these heavy metals and potentially toxic elements in soil, their concentrations as well as contamination levels. The research was conducted at 5 localities in the period from May 2018 to July 2019. The field research included recording species that stand out for their cover abundance, with special emphasis on indicators with a certain habitat characteristic. Soil samples were collected on a monthly basis at depths of 0-5 cm and 5-10 cm. The analysed vegetation cover belongs to
grassland vegetation habitat type in early succession phase. Also, some bioindicator species indicate extreme environmental conditions in the soil (pH) and former fires. The results obtained elevated levels of cadmium and zinc with slightly lower concentrations of copper and lead in most localities. This indicates changes of environmental conditions as well as the importance of continuing research for the purpose of conservation and sustainable use of this protected area.
Keywords
cadmium; contamination level; copper; lead; Kamenjak PI; zinc
Hrčak ID:
306994
URI
Publication date:
15.12.2022.
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