Anthropogenic versus lithological influences on soil geochemical patterns in Cyprus

The relative influences of parent lithology and anthropogenic effects on the soil geochemistry of Cyprus have been evaluated using a high density soil survey. Cyprus contains a number of lithologically distinct terranes, including the ultramafic–mafic Troodos Ophiolite Complex, which hosts a number of Cyprus-type Cu deposits, and the surrounding carbonate-rich marine sedimentary units. Cyprus also has a long history of human settlement and resource exploitation. Top-soils (0–25 cm depth) and sub-soils (50–75 cm) were grid-sampled across the southern two-thirds of the island at a density of 1 site per c . 1 km 2 . The aqua regia-extractable and total element contents of the