Conf. Univ. Dr. Eng. Habil. Mirela Ana Coman presented her research on the transfer of heavy metal pollutants (lead, cadmium) from soil to fruit in plants of the genus Prunus — a topic of direct relevance for fruit production in the Maramureș region, historically affected by polymetallic mining activity.
Working hypothesis and objectives
The research investigates the levels of Pb and Cd in soil and how these pollutants are transferred into the fruit, with a focus on the species Prunus domestica (plum) and other Prunus species cultivated locally. All soils contain heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr) in varying concentrations, some below standard analytical detection limits. The research quantifies how much of the soil-borne contamination ends up in edible plant parts.
Documented outputs
The work has been disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and international conferences:
- Regarding the level of soil pollution with heavy metals (I), Scientific Papers Series A — Agronomy, 2025, Vol. 67, Issue 1, ISSN 2285-5785, pp. 92–96 (IF 0.6, WoS:001305979800010);
- Two presentations at the International Conference "Life Science for Sustainable Development", USAMV Cluj-Napoca (September 2022 and September 2023), covering current methods for highlighting heavy metals in fruits;
- Additional WoS publications and conference contributions in the broader series on soil pollution.
Why this matters for the region
The Maramureș area has a long history of polymetallic mining, and the question of how soil contamination affects local food production is critical for both consumer safety and the economic value of regional fruit varieties. The research provides quantitative data that can inform agricultural decisions, land bonitation models (a direct input for COSA's Use Case 1) and remediation strategies.
Presentation slides
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