Application of Multivariate Statistical Methods for Determining Geochemical Trends of Elements on the Territory of Slovenia
The main objective of this study is to map multi-element geochemical anomalies in soil on a regional scale. We aimed to determine and evaluate the baseline geochemical values and main geochemical trends in soil that may serve as reference values against any future changes. A total of 817 topsoil sam...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Minerals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/14/1/49 |
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| author | Robert Šajn Mateja Gosar Jasminka Alijagić Tamara Teršič |
| author_facet | Robert Šajn Mateja Gosar Jasminka Alijagić Tamara Teršič |
| author_sort | Robert Šajn |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The main objective of this study is to map multi-element geochemical anomalies in soil on a regional scale. We aimed to determine and evaluate the baseline geochemical values and main geochemical trends in soil that may serve as reference values against any future changes. A total of 817 topsoil samples (0–10 cm) were collected in a 5 × 5 km grid and analyzed for 35 elements using ICP-ES after multi-acid digestions (HClO<sub>4</sub>/HNO<sub>3</sub>/HCl/HF) and 53 elements using ICP-MS after modified aqua regia digestion (HCl/HNO<sub>3</sub>/H<sub>2</sub>O). The analytical results for the two different digestion methods (multi-acid digestion vs. aqua regia) were also compared for each chemical element. Multivariate statistical methods were applied to identify the geochemical trends and main sources of trace elements over the territory of Slovenia. Based on these results, seven natural and one mixed natural/anthropogenic geochemical association were established. The contents and trends of the determined factors are presented according to 8 natural units, 4 drainage areas, and geological units characteristic of Slovenia. The identified anthropogenic geochemical association combines toxic elements (Ag, Bi, Cd, Hg, P, Pb, S, Sn, and Zn). Increased values of these elements can be found in mining areas and metallurgic centers, in Quaternary sediments of the Sava River, and Adriatic Basin as the consequence of past mining activities and in the Julian Alps, where their origin could be connected to the atmospheric deposition. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T10:39:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0e8485c79cb94352bf2163358497cf61 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-163X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T10:39:00Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Minerals |
| spelling | doaj.art-0e8485c79cb94352bf2163358497cf612024-01-26T17:52:22ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2023-12-011414910.3390/min14010049Application of Multivariate Statistical Methods for Determining Geochemical Trends of Elements on the Territory of SloveniaRobert Šajn0Mateja Gosar1Jasminka Alijagić2Tamara Teršič3Geological Survey of Slovenia, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaGeological Survey of Slovenia, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaGeological Survey of Slovenia, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaLisec 1, 8211 Dobrnič, SloveniaThe main objective of this study is to map multi-element geochemical anomalies in soil on a regional scale. We aimed to determine and evaluate the baseline geochemical values and main geochemical trends in soil that may serve as reference values against any future changes. A total of 817 topsoil samples (0–10 cm) were collected in a 5 × 5 km grid and analyzed for 35 elements using ICP-ES after multi-acid digestions (HClO<sub>4</sub>/HNO<sub>3</sub>/HCl/HF) and 53 elements using ICP-MS after modified aqua regia digestion (HCl/HNO<sub>3</sub>/H<sub>2</sub>O). The analytical results for the two different digestion methods (multi-acid digestion vs. aqua regia) were also compared for each chemical element. Multivariate statistical methods were applied to identify the geochemical trends and main sources of trace elements over the territory of Slovenia. Based on these results, seven natural and one mixed natural/anthropogenic geochemical association were established. The contents and trends of the determined factors are presented according to 8 natural units, 4 drainage areas, and geological units characteristic of Slovenia. The identified anthropogenic geochemical association combines toxic elements (Ag, Bi, Cd, Hg, P, Pb, S, Sn, and Zn). Increased values of these elements can be found in mining areas and metallurgic centers, in Quaternary sediments of the Sava River, and Adriatic Basin as the consequence of past mining activities and in the Julian Alps, where their origin could be connected to the atmospheric deposition.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/14/1/49soilgeochemical mappingdistribution of geochemical elementsfactor analysiscluster analysis |
| spellingShingle | Robert Šajn Mateja Gosar Jasminka Alijagić Tamara Teršič Application of Multivariate Statistical Methods for Determining Geochemical Trends of Elements on the Territory of Slovenia Minerals soil geochemical mapping distribution of geochemical elements factor analysis cluster analysis |
| title | Application of Multivariate Statistical Methods for Determining Geochemical Trends of Elements on the Territory of Slovenia |
| title_full | Application of Multivariate Statistical Methods for Determining Geochemical Trends of Elements on the Territory of Slovenia |
| title_fullStr | Application of Multivariate Statistical Methods for Determining Geochemical Trends of Elements on the Territory of Slovenia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Application of Multivariate Statistical Methods for Determining Geochemical Trends of Elements on the Territory of Slovenia |
| title_short | Application of Multivariate Statistical Methods for Determining Geochemical Trends of Elements on the Territory of Slovenia |
| title_sort | application of multivariate statistical methods for determining geochemical trends of elements on the territory of slovenia |
| topic | soil geochemical mapping distribution of geochemical elements factor analysis cluster analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/14/1/49 |
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