Distribution of Ag, Au, Bi, Cu, and Mo in surface soils. Case study: Mitrovica region, Republic of Kosovo

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article presents the results of a geochemical investigation of an anthropogenic group of metals (Ag, Au, Bi, Cu, and Mo) in the surface of the Mitrovica region, Republic of Kosovo. In order to determine their content and to evaluate the contamination level, 156 topsoil samples were collected in an area of 301.5 km2. The content of elements was determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The results showed that the average content of Cu (42 mg/kg), Bi (1.5 mg/kg), Ag (0.44 mg/kg), and Au (2.7 μg/kg) exceeded their average content in European and world soils by 3.4 and 1.4 times; 3.0 and 7.5 times; 1.62 and 8.8 times and 2.7 and 1.8 times, respectively. The average Mo content (0.68 mg/kg) exceeded the average content in European soils by 1.09 times, while the average content in world soil was not exceeded. Copper levels exceeded the Dutch target value of 36 mg/kg in 152 km2 and the Dutch action value of 190 mg/kg in 6.2 km2 of the study area. The enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index values for the analysed elements indicate that their higher content is of anthropogenic origin, mainly due to lead and zinc mining and metallurgical activities in the study area. The quality of soils in the Mitrovica region varies from highly contaminated with copper and bismuth, with extremely high enrichment of Cu, Bi and Ag in the soils of the central zone (Zone I) and the urban soils of the cities of Zveçan and Mitrovica. Therefore, the establishment of a monitoring and treatment programme for contaminated soils in this zone would be necessary to protect human health .