49
shown in Fig. 2.6. The distribution of 2010 concentration data of Cr is shown in
Fig. 2.6c.
The spatial analysis of Cr (linear model) shows local enrichment in the North.
The Cr distribution shows an increase from the south to the North (Cr = 6.19 + 0.16n,
n = 1–55). The highest Cr content (66 mg kg
−1
, DW) was found in the north, St. 44,
Bulqiza site (Fig. 2.6a), that is known as the most Cr-enriched area with intensive
Cr mining industry. Other anomalies, higher than the average content of Cr in moss
samples (10.65 mg kg
−1
, DW), are distributed in other regions indicating the Cr
enrichment in moss samples as the result of local factors. The Cr anomalies are
probably linked with the strong effects of local emission sources such as geogenic
factor and windblown dust from industrial and mining waste deposits in the north
and the emission from metallurgic combine of Elbasani area, iron metallurgy and
ferro-chromium industry. The most important Cr anomalies linked with anthropogenic factors were evident by the spatial analysis plot of Cr normalized data
(Fig. 2.6b). Relatively high Cr contents were found in fewer stations than was found
by spatial distribution of concentration data. The strongest anomaly was found
again in Bulqiza area indicating high anthropogenic effects of mining industry, geological factors and windblown dust particles from mineral area and Cr waste deposits. Other anomalies are strongly linked with geogenic factors and the emissions
from metallurgy of Elbasan. The median concentration of Cr 2015 is lower than the
median concentration of Cr 2010 . The difference is probably linked with the method
of the analysis of moss samples, respectively, by ICP-AES and neutron activation
(ENAA) methods that use different conditions of sample preparation. ICP-AES is
based on the measurements in the acid-digested samples, and ENAA measures the
total amount of the elements directly in the sample without digestion. The differences are most significant in St. 44 (Bulqiza area) that is rich in Cr 2 O 3 minerals that
is probably not totally digested by the microwave acid digestion method.
Chromium shows strong and significant correlations with Ni and Co (r = 0.684
and 0.621, respectively, p = 0.000) indicating similar associations with these elements, known as geochemical association. Very strong and significant correlation
was found between Cr and Cr(N), r = 0.86, p = 0.000, indicating the strong anthropogenic origin of Cr in moss samples. Strong correlations were found between Cr
and Ni(N) and Co(N) and Pb(N) that are derived from similar anthropogenic origin
of these elements in moss samples. The mutual correlations between Cr-Cr(N),
Cr-Ni, Cr-Co and Cr-Pb are verified by the linear regression analysis (Fig. 2.7).
2.3.2.4 Copper
Copper (Cu) is a crustal element mostly concentrated in the complex sulphides,
mafic and intermediate rocks. The concentration of Cu in soil ranges from 14 to
109 mg kg
−1
(reference). As a component in several proteins indispensable for life
(Araya et al. 2007), Cu is an essential micronutrient that occurs naturally in all
plants and animals at low level of concentration, but turns toxic at high concentration level (Taylor et al. 2020, Araya et al. 2007, ATSDR 2004). Before the 1990s of
2 Spatial Series and Multivariate Analysis in Assessing the Essential (Cu and Zn…
shown in Fig. 2.6. The distribution of 2010 concentration data of Cr is shown in
Fig. 2.6c.
The spatial analysis of Cr (linear model) shows local enrichment in the North.
The Cr distribution shows an increase from the south to the North (Cr = 6.19 + 0.16n,
n = 1–55). The highest Cr content (66 mg kg
−1
, DW) was found in the north, St. 44,
Bulqiza site (Fig. 2.6a), that is known as the most Cr-enriched area with intensive
Cr mining industry. Other anomalies, higher than the average content of Cr in moss
samples (10.65 mg kg
−1
, DW), are distributed in other regions indicating the Cr
enrichment in moss samples as the result of local factors. The Cr anomalies are
probably linked with the strong effects of local emission sources such as geogenic
factor and windblown dust from industrial and mining waste deposits in the north
and the emission from metallurgic combine of Elbasani area, iron metallurgy and
ferro-chromium industry. The most important Cr anomalies linked with anthropogenic factors were evident by the spatial analysis plot of Cr normalized data
(Fig. 2.6b). Relatively high Cr contents were found in fewer stations than was found
by spatial distribution of concentration data. The strongest anomaly was found
again in Bulqiza area indicating high anthropogenic effects of mining industry, geological factors and windblown dust particles from mineral area and Cr waste deposits. Other anomalies are strongly linked with geogenic factors and the emissions
from metallurgy of Elbasan. The median concentration of Cr 2015 is lower than the
median concentration of Cr 2010 . The difference is probably linked with the method
of the analysis of moss samples, respectively, by ICP-AES and neutron activation
(ENAA) methods that use different conditions of sample preparation. ICP-AES is
based on the measurements in the acid-digested samples, and ENAA measures the
total amount of the elements directly in the sample without digestion. The differences are most significant in St. 44 (Bulqiza area) that is rich in Cr 2 O 3 minerals that
is probably not totally digested by the microwave acid digestion method.
Chromium shows strong and significant correlations with Ni and Co (r = 0.684
and 0.621, respectively, p = 0.000) indicating similar associations with these elements, known as geochemical association. Very strong and significant correlation
was found between Cr and Cr(N), r = 0.86, p = 0.000, indicating the strong anthropogenic origin of Cr in moss samples. Strong correlations were found between Cr
and Ni(N) and Co(N) and Pb(N) that are derived from similar anthropogenic origin
of these elements in moss samples. The mutual correlations between Cr-Cr(N),
Cr-Ni, Cr-Co and Cr-Pb are verified by the linear regression analysis (Fig. 2.7).
2.3.2.4 Copper
Copper (Cu) is a crustal element mostly concentrated in the complex sulphides,
mafic and intermediate rocks. The concentration of Cu in soil ranges from 14 to
109 mg kg
−1
(reference). As a component in several proteins indispensable for life
(Araya et al. 2007), Cu is an essential micronutrient that occurs naturally in all
plants and animals at low level of concentration, but turns toxic at high concentration level (Taylor et al. 2020, Araya et al. 2007, ATSDR 2004). Before the 1990s of
2 Spatial Series and Multivariate Analysis in Assessing the Essential (Cu and Zn…