Spatial distribution and concentration of nickel (ni) in organic horizon and surface mineral soil of forest ecosystems in the Republic of Serbia volume: 91 startpage: 83 endpage: 92 info:eu-repo/semantics/article Abstract: This scientific paper investigates the spatial distribution and concentration of nickel (Ni) in the organic layer and surface soil (0-10 cm) of forest ecosystems in the Republic of Serbia. The aim of the research is to determine the influence of regional affiliation (Eastern, Western, Northern, Southern, and Central Serbia) and altitude on nickel accumulation in these forest soil components. Samples of organic layer and soil were collected from representative locations across Serbia. Nickel content was determined after digestion of the samples with aqua regia, and concentrations were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). It is expected that the results will show significant variations in nickel content depending on geographical location and altitude, which may be related to the geological substrate, specific pedogenetic processes, climatic conditions, and anthropogenic influences. The significance of the research lies in assessing the potential risk of nickel toxicity to flora, microorganisms, and other ecosystem components, as well as contributing to the understanding of metal biogeochemical cycles in forest soils. The obtained data will serve as a basis for future research and monitoring of soil quality in forest ecosystems in Serbia. Apstrakt: Ovaj naučni rad istražuje prostornu distribuciju i koncentraciju nikla (Ni) u organskoj prostirci i površinskom sloju zemljišta (0-10 cm) šumskih ekosistema u Republici Srbiji. Cilj istraživanja je utvrditi uticaj regionalne pripadnosti (Istočna, Zapadna, Severna, Južna i Centralna Srbija) i nadmorske visine na akumulaciju nikla u ovim komponentama šumskog zemljišta. Uzorci organske prostirke i zemljišta sakupljeni su sa reprezentativnih lokacija širom Srbije. Sadržaj nikla određen je nakon digestije uzoraka carskom vodom, a koncentracije su analizirane korišćenjem induktivno kuplovane plazme sa masenom spektrometrijom (ICP-MS). Očekuje se da će rezultati pokazati značajne varijacije u sadržaju nikla u zavisnosti od geografskog položaja i nadmorske visine, što može biti povezano sa geološkom podlogom, specifičnim pedogenetskim procesima, klimatskim uslovima i antropogenim uticajima. Značaj istraživanja leži u proceni potencijalnog rizika od toksičnosti nikla za biljni svet, mikroorganizme i druge komponente ekosistema, kao i u doprinosu razumevanju biogeohemijskih ciklusa metala u šumskim zemljištima. Dobijeni podaci će služiti kao osnova za buduća istraživanja i monitoring kvaliteta zemljišta u šumskim ekosistemima Srbije http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode 2025 eng https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:9293 doi:10.5937/SustFor2591083B ISSN: 1821-1046 Keywords: Forest soil, Organic horizon, Nickel, Regional distribution, ICP-MS Ključne reči: Šumsko zemljište, Organska prostirka, Nikl, Regionalna distribucija, ICP-MS Institut za šumarstvo, Beograd application/pdf 657300 bytes Spatial distribution and concentration of nickel (ni) in organic horizon and surface mineral soil of forest ecosystems in the Republic of Serbia Božović, Jelena Cvetković, Jovana Konatar, Bojan Stojanović, Vanja Konatar, Snežana Vemić, Aleksandar Živojinović, Dragana