From rock to soil: geochemical pathway of elements in Cosenza and Rende area (Calabria, southern Italy )

The parent materials slowly release the elements over time as part of the natural weathering process. As molecules of an element move between their various forms, they come to a dynamic equilibrium that shifts according to certain soil conditions, including: pH, texture, aeration of the soil, and the presence of other ions. In this study, 149 samples of topsoil (0-10 cm) were collected in the municipalities of Cosenza and Rende (Calabria, southern Italy) and analyzed for 36 elements by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In addition, 18 rock samples were collected on outcrops of whole area and analyzed by ICP-ES and ICP-MS. Elemental concentrations in soil are primarily controlled by the geochemical composition of bedrock, with some notable exceptions ascribing to anthropogenic factors.