Correlation analysis of heavy metals, radionuclides, and physicochemical properties in soil from Serbia

Abstract

This study investigates the correlations between physico-chemical properties, concentrations of heavy metals, and the presence of radionuclides in soil samples collected from various locations across Serbia. A total of 129 samples were analyzed to determine parameters such as pH, organic matter content, CaCO3, and granulometric composition, along with concentrations of heavy metals (e.g. As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and radionuclides (e.g. 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs). Correlation analysis was applied to explore potential relationships between the measured variables. The results reveal statistically significant correlations between certain soil properties and specific heavy metals. The observed correlations between certain metals and radionuclides suggest common sources and similar geochemical behavior. Additionally, moderate to strong correlations were observed between some radionuclides and soil characteristics, indicating possible environmental and geological influences. These findings contribute to a better understanding of soil contamination dynamics and may support future environmental monitoring and land use planning in the region.