Investigation of Trace Metals Content and Carbon Isotopic Composition on the Soil Leaf-Fruit Chain from Some Transylvanian Areas

Abstract

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Isotopic Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) were used in this study to trace heavy metal and isotopic content of soil into the fruit juices. This work presents a preliminary study on the carbon isotope signature and trace metal content investigated on the soil-plant-fruit pulp chain. The samples were collected from Transylvanian areas. Our results for fruit juices are compared with allowable limits for drinking water in the United Kingdom (NS30). The results for soil samples were compared with the maximum value reported for normal range values of natural soils cited by the EEA (European Environment Agency) report. The results obtained for δ¹³C values on the soil - leaf - fruit pulp chain for grape, pear, and apple samples show depletion in ¹³C isotope, as the trend of the values reported in literature for the soil–leaf–fruit chain.

Keywords:

• Carbon isotope
• Fruit juices
• ICP-MS
• IRMS
• Metal content

Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the National Project “Authentication and Traceability of Fruit Juices Using Isotopic Methods” in the frame of PNCDI II (2007–2013) Program, TE (2010–2013), Contract no. 120/2010.

Notes

Note: Concentration in µg/l ± uncertainty.

Note: Concentration in mg/kg ± uncertainty.

Note: Concentration in mg/kg ± uncertainty.

All authors contributed equally.