o:9293 Spatial distribution and concentration of nickel (ni) in organic horizon and surface mineral soil of forest ecosystems in the Republic of Serbia Prostorna distribucija i koncentracija nikla (ni) u organskoj prostirci i površinskom sloju zemljišta šumskih ekosistema Republike Srbije en 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 Keywords: Forest soil, Organic horizon, Nickel, Regional distribution, ICP-MS Ključne reči: Šumsko zemljište, Organska prostirka, Nikl, Regionalna distribucija, ICP-MS 1552101 1821-1046 1552099 10.5937/SustFor2591083B 2026-04-01T12:19:54.541Z 44 yes 46 Jelena Božović 0000-0002-9304-0970 46 Jovana Cvetković 0000-0001-7828-1250 46 Bojan Konatar 0009-0006-9023-4397 46 Vanja Stojanović 0009-0007-3975-0027 46 Snežana Konatar 46 Aleksandar Vemić 0000-0001-9195-8967 46 Dragana Živojinović application/pdf 657300 https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:9293 no yes 16 70 92000001 71A07 Spatial distribution and concentration of nickel (ni) in organic horizon and surface mineral soil of forest ecosystems in the Republic of Serbia 91 83 92 Institut za šumarstvo, Beograd 2025