Arsenic and other trace elements in wines of eastern Croatia

Levels of arsenic and other trace elements (Al, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, U, V and Zn) in nine brands of wine from Slavonia (eastern Croatia) were investigated. Wines from two other viticulture areas, Istria (western Croatia) and Vojvodina (northern Serbia), were used for comparison. Elemental concentrations were determined by high resolution ICP-MS. Statistical methods were applied for the interpretation of obtained data. Regional differences were identified based on a set of geogenic elements (Al, Li, Be, Ti). Elements As and Pb were found to be of predominantly natural origin. Significant differences between the obtained values for As in wines from Slavonia and Vojvodina, compared to wines from Istria indicate that the geochemical arsenic anomalies present in these regions contribute to some extent to higher As content in analysed wines. The Cd, Ni, Zn, Fe and Cr in wine were found to be primarily of anthropogenic origin.