Macro- and microelements occurence in soil and plant (leaves) samples of
a representative and potentially sustainable Mediterranean vineyard
Abstract
The study reported here concerns the geochemical distributions of macro-
and trace elements (including potentially toxic elements, PTEs) in the
vineyard soils of Alcubillas, which is one of the oldest, albeit not
world-reknowned, wine-growing areas in La Mancha (Central Spain). Soil
and leaf samples were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to
ascertain the levels of various elements in the soil and the plant. The
potential toxicity of the elements was assessed with regard to the
development of the vineyard. Despite the fact that fertilizers and
pesticides are employed in the vineyards in this area, the results
showed that the levels of trace elements in the soil samples did not
exceed the reference values according the pedogeochemical values for the
region and Spain. This finding suggests that the study area is not
polluted. The Biological Absortion Coefficient (BAC) was calculated to
assess the assimilation of various elements from the soil to the leaves,
and differences were found in the element absorption capacity of the
vines. Some elements were not taken up by Vitis vinifera despite
elements like Zr and Rb being present in relatively high concentrations
in the soil. The production in these soils of grapes and wine does not
represent a threat to human health or the ecosystem, because the farmers
in this area are extremely careful to preserve the environment and they
only farm to achieve moderate yields of grapes per hectare.