Method for Using Minor Elements as Tracers of Different Pollution Sources and Their Impact in an Agricultural Area (Banat, Vojvodina, Serbia)

Minor-element contents were used to develop a methodology to distinguish pollution sources and their impact in an agricultural area – Central Banat. The methodology incorporated sequential extractions combined with the Enrichment Factor, Secondary Phase Enrichment Factor, Index of Chemical Alteration, Improved Weighted Values, and statistical analysis. The results showed that the impact of agricultural activities on soil contamination by toxic elements in this area is minimal and confined primarily to specific locations. Other sources include wastewater discharges and contaminated sediments that, during flooding, could reach soils around the Tisa River (western part of the study region) and the recent flooding area (eastern part of the study region), mainly originating from past accidental incidents or current industrial activity in neighboring Romania. Contamination within the industrial zone appears at one locality, attributable to both active traffic and industrial processes. Elevated levels of Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, Hg, and Sb at certain locations suggest only minor contamination from human activities. Elements of natural origin are Cr, V, Se, Be, B, and Mn; elements of both natural and anthropogenic origin are Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Hg, and Cd, whereas elements of only anthropogenic origin are Sb and Mo.