Analysis of Water, Soil and Fruit Quality from Eco-Locations in Serbia Using Nuclear and Chemical Methods

Abstract

This paper presents results obtained by using analytical methods and instrumental techniques, such as: energy-depressive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF), gamma spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS), graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) and hydride-generation/cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (HG/CV-AAS), based on standard procedures (AOAC, ISO, EPA etc). Physical/chemical and radiological investigations were performed on soil, water and fruit samples form an ecological micro locations Vlasina and Topola, Serbia. The purpose of those investigations was to determine possible presence of heavy metals and radionuclides, which could have negative influence on the quality of fruit and other food products from that location. Our research included various instrumental techniques in order to obtain more reliable results, and due to the fact that certain techniques can be used to measure only some of the parameters needed for the analysis. Some of those techniques are non-destructive (EDXRF and gamma spectrometry), and others are not. Results presented in this paper indicate very high quality of EMPOZ organic food produced in those ecological areas.