Geochemical fingerprint and heavy metals assimilation on grapes from south Lessini (Italy)

Geochemical fingerprints of grape samples have been defined for 10 cultivars grown in two sampling areas characterized by homogeneous pedological and climate systems in the province of Treviso (northeast Italy). The choice of lithologies was based on the fact that vineyards in Italy frequently grow in both sedimentary soils with various terrigenous carbonate contents and basic volcanic soils. The latter may have high concentrations of heavy metals that are essential for a balanced human diet but can be toxic or harmful if assimilated in excess. To identify possible geochemical tracers within the soil that can be passed to the grapes and possible bioaccumulation of soil-derived elements within the grapes, major and trace elements of the soils, sampled at depths of greater root development, were determined by X-ray fluorescence, and metal concentrations in grape juice were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. All samples were compared with samples collected at two other sites located in the Euganean Hills, in the southern part of the Veneto region, considering that the wines produced in these areas are exported all over the world.