INFLUENCE OF CULTIVAR AND INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION ON THE CONTENT OF ESSENTIAL AND TOXIC ELEMENTS IN HAZELNUTS FROM BULGARIA

Micronutrient (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) and toxic element (Cd, Pb) contents of various cultivars of hazelnut cultivated in an industrially polluted area (lead/zinc smelter), Bulgaria, were determined. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that statistical differences existed for Cd, Mn and Pb in relation to the harvesting year of samples. Significant differences were also found for Fe, Mn and Pb in relation to the variety of samples. No significant differences were found between cultivars for Cu and Zn. To explain the observed effects the following studies were additionally performed: i) analysis of soils for total content of analytes and for their distribution in soil fractions; ii) analysis of fruit parts – shells, leaves, involucres for total content of Cd and Pb. The results revealed that the accumulation of Pb in the kernels was mainly caused by air pollution while for Cd – by soil pollution. Cadmium and lead exposure through the hazelnuts grown in industrially polluted area in Bulgaria appear to be of health concern.