The Journal "Agriculture and Forestry"
Časopis "Poljoprivreda i šumarstvo"
- Since 1955 -
Volume 69, Issue 3 (30.09.2023)
| Volume : | 69 |
| Issue : | 3 (30.09.2023) |
| Authors : | Muhamet ZOGAJ, Betim BRESILLA, Albert MAXHUNI |
| Title : | ARSENIC CONTENT AND MOBILITY IN AGRICULTURAL SOILS IN TWO POLLUTED AREAS IN KOSOVO |
| Abstract : | Arsenic is a toxic chemical that can be found naturally in soil and rock. Exposure to high levels of arsenic in soil can have detrimental effects on human health, including cancer and skin damage. The presence of arsenic in the soil can be caused by both natural and human-made sources, such as mining and industrial activities. A total of 60 soil samples were collected in the agricultural soils of two regions of Kosovo known for pollution with heavy metals. Arsenic was extracted from the soil with aqua-regia (pseudo total concentration), NH4OAc-EDTA (potential bioavailable), and NH4NO3 (mobile fraction). The pseudo total content of As showed a high value in Mitrovice up to 654.89 mg kg-1 with a mean of 66.51 mg kg-1, whereas in Drenas region up to 23.63 mg kg-1 with a mean of 12.31 mg kg-1. All samples analyzed in the area of Drenas were within the target values, while those of Mitrovica only 50% were within the target values, 30% within the accepted values and 20% above the values allowed for the content of arsenic according to the legislation. The rate of extraction of the potentially bioavailable and mobile form was low with a mean of 0.003 mg kg-1 in Drenas area and 0.2683 mg kg-1, respectively 0.008 mg kg-1 in the Mitrovica area. The T test showed significant differences between regions in the three forms of arsenic content in agricultural soils. |
| For citation : | Zogaj, M., Bresilla, B., Maxhuni, A. (2023): Arsenic content and mobility in agricultural soils in two polluted areas in Kosovo. Agriculture and Forestry, 69 (3): 179-186. doi:10.17707/AgricultForest.69.3.12 |
| Keywords : | Potential bioavailable, mobile fraction, pollution, target values |
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