Content of Heavy Metals and Their Fractions in Organic Soils of Podlasie

The purpose of this study was to determine the total content of cadmium, lead, nickel, copper, zinc and their fractions in organic soils of Podlasie used as permanent grassland. The research material were samples taken from 30 soils of the Podlasie province in 2011-2013. The samples were taken from the determined layer to depth of 0-30 cm. Basic physicochemical properties were determined in the taken soil samples: organic carbon content, pH in 1 M KCl potentiometrically. The total content of metals after mineralization in aqua regia was determined, and cadmium fractions were determined with a modified BCR method. The measurements were conducted by means of atomic absorption spectroscopy with electrothermal atomization using Varian AA-100 spectrometer. It was found that only 2 soils can be included in the soils with first pollution degree due to the cadmium content. The content of other metals was at geochemical background level. The distribution of investigated metals in the fractions in studied organic soils was different comparing to mineral soils. Most of the analyzed elements were present in the fraction associated with organic substance, which limited their mobility, as evidenced by their low share in the available and potentially available fraction. The proportion of metals in the residual fraction was low, which is typical for organic soils. The share of studied metals in particular fractions varied depending on the sampling date, which may be related to the climatic conditions course in the study period and the treatments performed on these soils.