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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 2006; v. 266; p. 63-78;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.2006.266.01.06
© 2006 Geological Society of London

Heavy metals in Swiss forest soils: modification of lithogenic and anthropogenic contents by pedogenetic processes, and implications for ecological risk assessment

Jöorg Luster1, Stephan Zimmermann1, Christoph N. Zwicky2, Peter Lienemann2 & Peter Blaser1

1 Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow, and Landscape Research WSL, Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland (e-mail: joerg.luster{at}wsl.ch)
2 Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (EMPA), Überlandstrasse 129, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland

We investigated the occurrence and effective mobility of heavy metals (HM) in a representative collective of Swiss forest soils. The total HM contents of pedogenetic horizons were analysed, and the enrichment or depletion of a given HM relative to the original lithogenic content was assessed. The latter was calculated using the contents of Zr as an immobile reference. Chromium, Ni, Cu and Zn were mainly lithogenic, with a wide range of contents reflecting the diverse geology of Switzerland, while anthropogenic input of Pb was detected in most topsoils. Pedogenetic processes exerted a strong influence on the translocation or leaching of the HM. In acidic soils Ni, Cu and Pb were more mobile than Cr and Zn. We relate this behaviour to the strong affinity of the former HM to dissolved or colloidal organic matter. On the other hand, nutrient cycling by the vegetation probably led to an apparent reduction of Zn downward mobility. In many soils, guide levels as specified by Swiss legislation, or threshold values for effects on micro-organisms, were exceeded, indicating a potential risk for long-term soil fertility. As a consequence of translocation, guide levels for Cr, Ni and Cu were exceeded more often in subsoils than in topsoils.





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