Determination of PTEs content in livestock fodder and soil in the vicinity of thermal power plants and ash disposal sites

Abstract

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are present in the environment as a result of natural processes, but also numerous anthropogenic activities. A large part of PTE in the soil originates from industrial plants or from contaminated water used to irrigate agricultural fields. Thus, they are taken up by plants used for human consumption or by plants grown to feed domestic animals (fodder). In order to determine the presence of B, Cu and Ni in the food chain and to evaluate and reduce the risk of growing plants for livestock feed on potentially contaminated soils in the immediate vicinity of coal mines and thermal power plants, samples of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and soil were collected from the territory of municipalities of Obrenovac (village Krtinka) and Lazarevac (village Sokolovo), while the territory of the municipality of Surčin (village Jakovo) was chosen as the control site. Furthermore, the bioconcentration factor (BCF) was calculated, which can provide information about the potential efficiency of the removal of elements from the soil by the plant. The results of the content of the studied elements in fodder were within the usual concentrations for conventional production. However, Ni content in the soil was above the proposed MAC for soils according to the regulations of the Republic of Serbia (50 mg kg-1) and higher than the limit values proposed by the Council Directive of the European Community (30–75 mg kg-1). These results urge caution in the cultivation of fodder at investigated sampling sites.