Geochemical Map of Eastern Serbia in 1:1000000 and Application in Defining the Ecological Status of Selected Areas

Abstract

A regional geochemical mapping of Serbia has been done, according to conception of making geochemical atlas of Western Europe. Research were conducted in the areas of eastern, western, southern and central Serbia, including the areas of Gnjilane, Pristina, Kosovska Mitrovica, and on the north areas of Vrsac – Bela Crkva and Pancevo. Using geochemical prospection, the samples of different environments of the geosphere („Overbank“ sediments, stream sediments and A-horizons) were systematically collected by zones whose area is from 60 to 600 km2, and the average density of sampling is a sample for 400 km2, including an area of 60000 km2. During geochemical prospection, on each location, in coastal profile lithogeochemical mapping and sampling of lithologic members was performed in which the geochemical information from larger drainage area was preserved. The sampling net is adjusted to the hydrographic characteristics of the terrain. The methodology of work is aligned with the criteria that working group for regional Geochemical mapping proposed on the meeting Western European geochemical associations (WEGS). In collected samples content of 38 elements was determined using appropriate analytical methods and international standards. Of particular imortance are results of radionuclides analyses 238U, 232Th, 40K, especially in depleted uranium contaminated areas. This paper presents the results of research in Eastern Serbia in the period of postindustrial development of the region, and importance of the coastal profile in defining the status preindustrial region. A method of mathematical statistics was used for data processing, and program BRGM-GDM 5 for making maps. By defining the ecological status of the region of Eastern Serbia, the basis for monitoring anthropogenic impacts on the environment was formed.