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Contaminants in the Soil and Typical Crops of the Pannonian Region of Slovenia

Author

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  • Žiga Jelen

    (Pomurje Science and Innovation Centre, 9000 Murska Sobota, Slovenia
    Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia)

  • Milan Svetec

    (Pomurje Science and Innovation Centre, 9000 Murska Sobota, Slovenia)

  • Peter Majerič

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
    Zlatarna Celje d.o.o., 3000 Celje, Slovenia)

  • Stanislav Kapun

    (Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry, Slovenia Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, Murska Sobota, Štefana Kovača 40, 9000 Murska Sobota, Slovenia)

  • Lara Resman

    (Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry, Slovenia Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, Murska Sobota, Štefana Kovača 40, 9000 Murska Sobota, Slovenia)

  • Tatjana Čeh

    (Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry, Slovenia Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, Murska Sobota, Štefana Kovača 40, 9000 Murska Sobota, Slovenia)

  • Granit Hajra

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
    Department of Manufacturing Machinery, Faculty of Mechanical and Computer Engineering, University of Mitrovica, 40000 Mitrovica, Kosovo)

  • Rebeka Rudolf

    (Pomurje Science and Innovation Centre, 9000 Murska Sobota, Slovenia
    Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
    Zlatarna Celje d.o.o., 3000 Celje, Slovenia)

Abstract

Soil contamination and the uptake of pollutants by food crops are widespread issues that vary greatly by region and are influenced by the mineral composition of the soil and local human activities. The Pannonian region, where agriculture has played a key role since Roman times, has been particularly impacted by the long-standing agricultural and industrial practices. While soil contamination with heavy metals is monitored by the Slovenian government, microplastic contamination and the uptake of pollutants into food crops have yet to become a regular component of monitoring efforts. In this study, we conducted a preliminary investigation into soil and crop contamination across the Pannonian region, focusing on identifying harmful contaminants and their potential uptake into food crops. Both soil and crop samples were analyzed for the presence of heavy metals with proven methods such as atomic absorption spectrometry (FASS), graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS), atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS), and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was found to be a potentially faster method of obtaining data on soil composition. Special attention was also given to the potential presence of microplastics in the region’s soils.

Suggested Citation

  • Žiga Jelen & Milan Svetec & Peter Majerič & Stanislav Kapun & Lara Resman & Tatjana Čeh & Granit Hajra & Rebeka Rudolf, 2024. "Contaminants in the Soil and Typical Crops of the Pannonian Region of Slovenia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:19:p:8678-:d:1494289
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shermain D. Hardesty, 2008. "The Growing Role of Local Food Markets," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 90(5), pages 1289-1295.
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