All rights reserved eng application/pdf 5470766 bytes https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:6664 Ecological risk, geochemical limits, heavy metals, monitoring, Municipality of Bor, soil pollution. International Soil Science Symposium on Soil Science & Plant Nutrition (10th International Scientific Meeting); 13 – 14 December 2024 Samsun, Türkiye startpage: 30 endpage: 30 Tošić Jojević, Sonja Mrvić, Vesna Jaramaz, Darko Grujić, Tara Lazović, Vojisav info:eu-repo/semantics/conferenceProceedings Abstract: Determining the origin, content, and dynamics of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soil is crucial for assessing pollution levels and their long-term environmental impact, especially in regions like the Municipality of Bor, where mining activities contribute to contamination. This study focuses on the Municipality of Bor, where surface soil samples (0–30 cm) were collected from agricultural land. The dominant soil types include vertisol, dystric cambisol, eutric cambisol, and calcomelanosol. Analysis revealed that concentrations of Ni, Cr, and Co are below the maximum allowable concentrations (MAC). Geochemical limits for Ni (29.20 mg kg⁻¹), Cr (33.63 mg kg⁻¹), and Co (21.50 mg kg⁻¹) were calculated using the Median + 2 MAD method, showing lower values compared to the natural background of eastern Serbia. Humus content positively influences the concentrations of Ni and Co. The correlation of Ni with Cr and Co suggests a potentially common, primarily geochemical origin of these elements. This is further supported by the calculation of the ecological risk index and the pollution index. The established geochemical limits and index calculations provide a foundation for identifying potential risk zones, supporting effective environmental management in the Municipality of Bor. 2024 Pollution indices of soil contaminated by heavy metals (Ni, Cr, and Co) in the municipality of Bor