Concentration and pools of trace elements in organic soils in the Izera Mountains

Abstract

Concentrations of trace elements in organic soils are a result of natural accumulation or due to anthropogenic factors. A field study was carried out in May 2008 on selected sites in the Izera Mountains. Soil samples were collected from 8 profiles of organic soils. Four soil profiles were located on the plateau meadow called Hala Izerska, at the altitude of 835-850 m a.s.l. The other 4 profiles were located in the mountain range known as the Grzbiet Wysoki, at 909-990 m a.s.l. The concentration and pools of heavy metals were determined according to the elevation, depth in soil profile, content of organic matter and soil pH. The content of trace elements (Pb, Cu, Zn) was determined after wet mineralization of samples in nitric acid, using a Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Pools of trace elements were recalculated into g m-2 in the 0-30 cm layer of soil. The aim was to determine the influence of altitude on concentrations of trace elements in organic soils profiles. Organic soils from the Grzbiet Wysoki and Hala Izerska showed significant contamination, mainly with lead and zinc. The elements were most abundant in surface horizons. With an increasing depth into the soil profile, the content of trace elements decreased. The arithmetic means showed strong dominance of lead on zinc and copper in the examined profiles. The Grzbiet Wysoki, due to its higher location above the sea level, is more exposed to atmospheric deposition of contaminants than Hala Izerska. However, the concentration of Cu is higher in organic soils from Hala Izerska. Statistical analysis showed significant positive correlation between the Pb concentration and altitude. With an increasing altitude, the content of Pb in soil also increased. Zinc and lead correlate highly negatively with the depth into the soil profile. With an increasing depth, the content of these elements decreases.

Selected Trace Element Concentrations in Peat Used for Cosmetic Production – A Case Study from Southern Poland

“…3), indicated that concentrations of this trace elements in studied soils is the result of atmospheric deposition. Similar observation were reported for organic soils from different area in Europe [2,5,6]. Also, fluvial origin of Pb and Zn is possible here, what was confirmed by statistical analysis.…”

Sensitivity of soil enzymes to excessive zinc concentrations

“…Trace element deposition in soil can result from anthropogenic factors and from natural accumulation. Polluted wastewater and air are potential sources of heavy metal contamination in the soil environment (cHarY et al 2008, HuanG et al 2009, sienkiewicz, czarneckaet al 2012, Glina, BoGacz 2013, wanG et al 2013.…”

Anthropogenic impact on concentration of selected trace elements pools in transformed organic soils in Trzcińskie Mokradła Peatland, SW Poland

“…1 0 5 -0 3 4 Organic horizons in many part of Sudetes Mountains showed a higher content of lead compared to zinc. This observation was related mainly to the Izera (Bogacz 2005;Glina and Bogacz 2013) and Sto³owe Mountains (Glina et al 2017b). This is, according to Strzyszcz and Magiera (2001), proof of the transport of contaminants over long distances.…”

“…The interference in hydrological stability of peatland has often led to many changes in wetland soil properties (Bogacz 2005;Kucharczyk and Szary 2012;Glina et al 2016b, Glina et al 2019. The concentration and pools of trace elements could be also connected with peat soil transformation (Kaba³a and Szerszeñ 1998;Glina and Bogacz 2013;Glina et al 2016cGlina et al , 2017b. The aim of this paper was to assess the variability of the concentrations of trace elements pools in two analysed layers (0-30 cm) and (30-50 cm) in organic soils of the previously pristine peatland partially transformed by human activities (drainage, and peat extraction).…”