Methods for assessment of background limit of Ni and Cr in soils of Eastern Serbia

Abstract

The primary objective of the present study was to point out different approaches to background limits assessment. The content of selected trace elements is relatively low, and elements have right-skewed asymmetrical distribution, with high dispersion. Background for Cr and Ni (60 mg kg-1) which are obtained by graphical methods cumulative probability plot (CDF) and box-plot are similar. Natural and log-transform data are used for empirical methods. Results from antilogarithmic values are significantly higher than from natural ones. Background limits obtained by empirical methods are different. Maps show that the largest part of territory has a relatively low concentration of investigated elements, whose background limits calculated by [Median+2MAD] methods are the most suitable. On the part of area with elevated elements content, where natural origin of elements had previously been proven, background limits are determined with box-plot method.

Keywords

• background limit
• Cr
• Ni
• soil