HEAVY METAL UPTAKE BY GRASSLANDS DEVELOPED IN A DEGRADED SOIL IN CENTRAL BALKANS

The relationship between trace elements in plants and amounts absorbed and utilized by the animal is again complex and depends on factors such as selectivity in grazing, the degree of dependence of the animal on grass as a source of trace element dietary intake, digestibility of the diet and form and 'availability' of the ingested trace elements (Thornton and Alloway, 1974). [...]our research was directed to ascertain the content of heavy metals in the specific soils of the mountains in Balkan countries (Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro), covered by grasslands, in order to estimate element concentration in the produced forage, because deficiency or excess of dietary mineral elements may cause animal health concerns. Serpentine soils are known for elevated heavy metal load. [...]they may pose a threat that can compromise mineral content of grassland plant's organs. According to Regulation of tolerant amount of hazardous and toxic materials in soil (Official gazette of RS, 1994), in eight tested soil samples Ni content and in six soils samples Cr surpassed the maximum permissible concentrations (Table 2). [...]mineral composition and soil conditions that govern metal mobility vary greatly in serpentine soils, therefore their accumulation still has a potential of reaching potentially hazardous levels. [...]it is necessary to evaluate the actual heavy metal content, especially so in populations growing on metal-loaded serpentine soil.