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Purpose: The area of southeastern Serbia, the Pčinja and South Morava River Basins, is under the influence of very strong erosion, and the aim of this study was to investigate the vertical and spatial distribution of the Cs in the eroded soils of this area. Materials and methods: Vertical soil profiles were collected with 5-cm increments from the uppermost layer down to 20, 25, 30, 40, and 50 cm of depth, depending on the thickness of the soil layers, i.e., down to the underlying parent rocks. Measurements of Cs activity concentration were performed by using the HPGe gamma-ray spectrometer ORTEC-AMETEK (34 % relative efficiency and high resolution 1.65 keV at 1.33 MeV for Co), from its gamma-ray line at 661.2 keV. Results and discussion: The mean Cs activity concentration across all 18 soil profiles (for all soil layers) was found to be 20 Bq kg. In the greatest number of soil profiles, the Cs activity concentration was generally highest in the first soil layer (0-5 cm) and decreased with soil depth, while in a few soil profiles, the peak of either the Cs activity concentration occurred in the second soil layer (5-10 cm) or the Cs activity concentration was almost equal throughout the entire soil profile. The mean Cs activity concentration in the first soil layer (0-5 cm) was found to be 61 Bq kg, and the high coefficient of variation of 92 % pointed out high spatial variability and large range of the Cs activity concentrations in the study area. Conclusions: The obtained results indicate that in the greatest number of soil profiles, Cs is present in the upper layers, with concentration decreasing with depth, as is typical in uncultivated soil. Its spatial distribution was very uneven among the surface soil layers of the investigated sites. One of the main reasons for such pattern of Cs in the study area may be soil erosion. Additional investigations which would support this hypothesis are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic activities may lead to increased levels of heavy metals in soil environment and to reduced environmental quality. In this study concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, Zn) were measured by using an atomic absorption spectrometer and soil samples were collected in the vicinity of the largest coal fired power plant in Serbia. The soil pollution status was assessed and enrichment by heavy metals at some sampling sites was revealed. For investigated metals the enrichment factors were in the range of 0.3 to 15.5, while the mean values indicated deficient to minimal enrichment of heavy metals in the investigated area. The highest contamination factor was determined for Ni, followed by Zn, Co and Cd. Cluster analysis was used to identify associations between heavy metals and soil properties. Significant positive correlations were found between: (1) Cd and Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn; (2) Cr and Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb; (3) Zn and Cu, Ni, Pb; and (4) Fe and V. Spatial distribution maps of heavy metal contents based on geostatistical analysis indicated similar patterns of spatial distribution for Co, Fe and V as well as for Cd, Mn, Ni and Pb. The hot spots for Co, Cr, Cu and Zn were revealed between two blocks of coal fired power plant in the investigated area. The distribution pattern revealed that the highest concentrations matched the predominant wind directions. It may be concluded that operation of the coal fired power plant has no significant negative impact on the surrounding environment with regard to the content of investigated heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic activities may lead to increased levels of heavy metals in soil environment and to reduced environmental quality. In this study concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, Zn) were measured by using an atomic absorption spectrometer and soil samples were collected in the vicinity of the largest coal fired power plant in Serbia. The soil pollution status was assessed and enrichment by heavy metals at some sampling sites was revealed. For investigated metals the enrichment factors were in the range of 0.3 to 15.5, while the mean values indicated deficient to minimal enrichment of heavy metals in the investigated area. The highest contamination factor was determined for Ni, followed by Zn, Co and Cd. Cluster analysis was used to identify associations between heavy metals and soil properties. Significant positive correlations were found between: (1) Cd and Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn; (2) Cr and Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb; (3) Zn and Cu, Ni, Pb; and (4) Fe and V. Spatial distribution maps of heavy metal contents based on geostatistical analysis indicated similar patterns of spatial distribution for Co, Fe and V as well as for Cd, Mn, Ni and Pb. The hot spots for Co, Cr, Cu and Zn were revealed between two blocks of coal fired power plant in the investigated area. The distribution pattern revealed that the highest concentrations matched the predominant wind directions. It may be concluded that operation of the coal fired power plant has no significant negative impact on the surrounding environment with regard to the content of investigated heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in surface soils in the area surrounding the steel production facility in Serbia was determined to assess the contribution of emissions to pollution. The mean concentrations of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were found to be higher than values reported for uncultivated soils world-wide and also exceeded mean concentrations of metals in European soil. Analysis of variance revealed the influence of latitude, longitude and distance from the emission source on heavy metal concentrations in soil. Multivariate statistical techniques (cluster analysis and factor analysis) confirmed previous findings and were also used to investigate relationships between heavy metal concentrations and soil particle size fractions. Regression analysis showed that the latitude, longitude and distance from the source are good predictors of heavy metal concentrations in soil. Geostatistical analysis revealed the spatial distribution of heavy metal concentrations in soil and their correlation with prevailing winds in the investigated area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]