Distribution and origin of major, minor, and trace elements in sediments and sedimentary rocks of the Kaštela Bay (Croatia) coastal area

Mass fractions of Al, K, Ca, Fe, Ti, Mn, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Pb, and As were determined in the Cretaceous limestones, foraminiferal limestones, calcarenites, marls, stream sediments, and soils of the Kaštela Bay coastal area. Relationships between 18 studied elements and between the researched sediments and sedimentary rocks were established. The highest mass fractions of Ca and Sr were found in the limestones and calcarenites, while the highest contents of other elements were determined in marls, stream sediments, and soils. Possible influence of the heavy mineral assemblage originating from basic and ultrabasic rocks of the Dinaric area was reflected in elevated Ni, Cr, and Zn contents in limestones and elevated Ni and Zn contents in marls. Naturally higher mass fractions of Ti, Mn, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, and As were found in the terra rossa soils. Three groups of elements were distinguished: (1) carbonates bound elements; (2) elements reflecting possible anthropogenic influence or the specific mineralogical assemblages; and (3) alumosilicates bound elements. It was suggested that Sr was only partly bound to CaCO3 and that Cu, Zn, and Pb were not primarily bound to any of the considered group of minerals. Three populations were differentiated according to their elemental composition and type of the sample: (1) samples with naturally higher mass fractions of Ca and Sr and lower mass fractions of other elements; (2) samples with naturally lower Ca and Sr mass fractions and higher mass fractions of other elements; and (3) samples with elevated mass fractions of Cu, Zn, and/or Pb, reflecting possible anthropogenic influence. ► Three groups of elements distinguished according to preferred mineral component ► Three populations differentiated according to the type of sample and composition ► Elevated mass fractions of Cu, Zn, and Pb reflect possible anthropogenic influence. ► Elevated Ni, Cr, and Zn in limestones possibly influenced by the Inner Dinaric area ► Elevated Ni and Zn in marls possibly influenced by the Inner Dinaric area