Acta Agriculturae Slovenica (Mar 2000)

An overview of arable soil contamination with residues of chlorinated hydrocarbons, copper and triazines for the period 1987 - 1996

  • Gregor UREK,
  • Ana GREGORČIČ,
  • Andrej GARTNER

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 75, no. 1

Abstract

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In order to determine the contamination of agricultural soil with residues of chlorinated hydrocarbons, copper and triazines, samples were taken in the years 1987 – 1996 from intensively cultivated arable soil (vineyards, orchards, potato fields, maize fields, vegetable fields) situated in the area of Gorenjska, Dolenjska, Štajerska, Prekmurje, Koroška and Primorska. In 1991, in order to establish the content of residues of some phytopharmaceutical products in lower soil layers, depth drilling was used to take samples from 50 cm thick layers situated in intensively cultivated areas (Groblje, Jablje) and extensively cultivated areas lying directly in the underground water area used as a source of drinking water in Primorska (the surroundings of Rižana). It was found out that the quantity of residues of chlorinated hydrocarbons in soil (arable soil) was constantly decreasing or that it was mostly negligible, that the problem of soil contamination with triazine residues was not manifested and that in all treated samples a rather large quantity of copper residues was found. In the drill holes from intensive production areas it became evident that the concentrations of chlorinated hydrocarbons were very low throughout the entire cross-section. Concentrations of chlorinated hydrocarbons in the subsoil of extensive production areas were negligible, however, on some places their residues were washed off all the way to the solid ground (rock). The quantities of triazine residues were negligible or hardly determinable and they were frequently found only in higher layers.