Content of Metals and Metalloids in Soil Sampled in Bor and Its Surroundings (eastern Serbia)

In the municipality of Bor (Eastern Serbia), which is known for its production of copper from sulphide ores, soil was sampled in urban, rural and background area. The content of metals (Pb, Cu, Cd, Zn, Ni, Cr) and metalloids (As, Sb, Se, Te) in the soil was determined. The highest concentrations of the analyzed elements and frequent exceedance of the limit values were observed in soil samples from the urban-industrial area closest to the copper smelter. However, Cr and Ni concentrations were above the allowed values only in the background area. Strong correlations between elements (Pb, Cu, Cd, Zn, As, Sb, Se and Te), obtained by the Pearson’s matrix, indicate their anthropogenic origin. Correlation coefficient for Ni and Cr amounting to 0.940, and their negative correlation with the other studied elements, indicate that their origin is mainly from natural soil composition.