Chemometrics based on the mineral content as a tool for the assessment of the pollution of top soils

Abstract

This is the first research of this type which includes the wider area of Kosovo taking into account the mineral wealth. The concentrations of 20 elements: Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Se, Si, V, and Zn were determined using ICP-OES. The ranges of concentrations of toxic elements are lead (Pb) 0.044–14.98 g/kg, arsenic (As) 0.007–0.33 g/kg, cadmium (Cd) 0.004–0.044 g/kg, and chromium (Cr) 0.053–0.245 g/kg. The spatial distribution of toxic elements was described using distribution maps. Principal component and cluster analyses were performed to reveal grouping of samples.