Heavy metal distribution in karst soils from Croatia and Slovakia

• Published in: Environmental earth sciences Vol. 45; no. 2; pp. 262 - 272
• Main Authors: MIKO, Slobodan, DURN, Goran, ADAMCOVA, Renata, COVIC, Marta, DUBIKOVA, Maria, SKALSKY, Rastislav, KAPELJ, Sanja, OTTNER, Franz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.12.2003; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agrochemicals; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Exact sciences and technology; Geochemistry; Heavy metals; Hydrogeology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Karst; Lead; Pollution, environment geology; Soil contamination; Soil profiles; Soils; Surficial geology; Topsoil; Southern Europe; Slovakia; Central Europe; Croatia; impact statements; mobility; heavy metals; X-ray diffraction; ground water; pollution; human activity; spatial distribution; trace-element analyses; Mobility assessment; soil profiles; copper; Slovakia; soils; zinc; Croatia; nickel; chromium; environment protection; Europe; Sequential extraction; concentration; karst; lead; depth; cadmium; Karst soils
• ISSN: 0943-0105; 1866-6280; 1432-0495; 1866-6299
• DOI: 10.1007/s00254-003-0878-y

With the use of the optimised three-step BCR sequential-extraction procedure it was possible to assess the mobility of selected elements in soil profiles from Croatian and Slovakian karst terrains. The soils in the Croatian karst were enriched in Cr, Ni, V, Mn, Cu, Cd and Mo, while soils from the Slovak Karst had high Pb and Zn concentrations. It was determined that the elements were most readily mobilised from the topsoil and the degree of mobility decreased with depth. Cr and Ni were mainly bound to the residual fraction, and Pb in the oxidisable fraction. Cu mobility was high in samples treated with agrochemicals throughout the soil profile.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]