Pollution load resulting from metals and metalloids in eastern Croatia”

Uvod: Domovinski rat započeo je 1991. godine napadom na Vukovar, u istočnoj Slavoniji, a završio je 1998. godine mirnom reintegracijom. Posljedice ratnog djelovanja na tom području za okoliš i za zdravlje ljudi nisu dovoljno istražene. Cilj istraživanja: Ispitati opterećenost metalima i metaloidima u tlu, povrću, samonikloj biljci maslačku u Vukovaru, Vinkovcima i Slavonskom Brodu uzorkovanog tijekom 2014. godine. Materijali i metode: Vukovar na 22 lokacije izuzeti su uzorci tla i samoniklog bilja maslačka. Uz lokacije izuzimanja tla na istim mjestima izuzeti su i uzorci povrća (14 uzoraka kupusa). Vinkovci na 15 lokacija izuzeti su uzorci tla i samoniklog bilja maslačka. Slavonski Brod na 20 lokacija izuzeti su uzorci tla i samoniklog bilja maslačka. Listovi maslačka i povrća (kupusa) sakupljeni su na istim mjestima gdje je uzorkovano i tlo. Za potrebe uzorkovanja izuzeto je 100 grama listova maslačka i povrća. Metoda: određivanje koncentracija 24 metala i metaloida u uzorcima tla, samoniklog bilja i povrća masene spektrometrije s induktivno spregnutom plazmom (ICP-MS) u Institutu za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada, u Jedinici za analitičku toksikologiju i mineralni metabolizam. Rezultati: Ukupni rezultati za Vukovar, Vinkovce i Slavonski Brod 2014. godine pokazuju manje abnormalnosti u prisustvu nekih metala u tlu (Cr), samoniklom bilju maslačku (Pb, Cd i As), dok u povrću (u kupusu) nije bilo odstupanja. Klaster analiza uzoraka tla, povrća i samoniklog bilja pokazuje statistički značajna odstupanja u izmjerenim koncentracijama metala i metaloida u istočnoj Slavoniji u odnosu na relevantnu literaturu. Svakako je potrebno nastaviti ovakva istraživanja povezana s ratnim djelovanjima zbog dugotrajno sagledivih posljedica. Zaključak: Ratno je djelovanje dodatno opteretilo okoliš i populaciju ratnim metalima i metaloidima te je utvrđeno povećano opterećenje u populaciji i dvadeset godina nakon završetka borbenih djelovanja.Introduction: The Homeland War commenced in 1991 with an attack on Vukovar, in eastern Slavonia, and ended in 1998 by peaceful reintegration. The adverse effects of the war on human health and the environment in this area have not been sufficiently researched. Aim: To investigate the load of metals and metalloids in the soil, vegetables and self-seeding dandelions in Vukovar, Vinkovci and Slavonski Brod sampled during 2014. Materials and methods: Vukovar - soil and self-seeding dandelion samples were taken at 22 locations. In addition to the soil samples, vegetable samples (14 cabbage samples) were also collected at these locations. Vinkovci - soil and self-seeding dandelion samples were taken at 15 locations. Slavonski Brod: soil and self-seeding dandelion samples were taken at 20 locations. Dandelion and vegetable (cabbage) leaves were collected at the same locations where soil was sampled. For sampling purposes, 100 grams of dandelion and vegetable leaves were collected. Method: determination of the concentration of 24 metals and metalloids in the soil, self-seeding dandelion and vegetable samples by means of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) at the Institute of Medical Research and Occupational Medicine, Unit for Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism. Results: The overall results with regard to Vukovar, Vinkovci and Slavonski brod in 2014 show fewer abnormalities in the presence of some metals in the soil (Cr) and self-seeding dandelions (Pb, Cd and As), whereas in the vegetable (cabbage) samples no discrepancy was noted. The cluster analysis of the soil and vegetable samples, as well as the self-seeding plant samples show statistically significant deviations in the measured concentrations of metals and metalloids in eastern Slavonia in relation to relevant literature. It is therefore necessary to pursue further studies related to apparent long-lasting effects of warfare operations. Conclusion: Warfare operations have generated an additional metal and metalloid load for the environment and the population present even 20 years after the operations ended