MANGANESE POLLUTION IN AGRICULTURAL SOILS WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR FOOD SAFETY

Introduction and objective: Manganese (Mn) is an essential element for the plant and it is necessary for maintain physiological processes, notably photosynthesis, but its higher content in the soil may negative affect the plant, and consequently human health. The objective of this study was to examine the Mn accumulation in edible parts of tested food crops growing on soils near two Mn ore deposits in Bužim municipality (active Mn mine Bužim and Mn ore deposits Radostovo). Methods: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) was used to determine Mn content in soils and edible parts of different food crops; onions, cabbage strawberry, garlic, potato, pepper, beans and raspberry. Results: The content of Mn available forms, and accumulation in edible parts of examined food crops was significantly higher in soils in the area around Mn mine Bužim although the content of the total Mn in the soils at the site Radostovo were much higher. Considering that soils in the area around Mn mine Bužim are much more acidic than soils at the site Radostovo, it is evident that soil pH is one of the key factors in the assessment of Mn availability in soil. The results of study also showed that the content of Mn in edible parts of all tested food crops did not exceed the toxic value for Mn in plants (400 mg/kg). Conclusions: From the point of view of soil pollution with Mn, both examined sites can be considered suitable for production of healthy food