Content of copper and nickel in soils of Vistula river catchment

Metal pollution attracts growing interest mainly due to their toxic effects on the entire natural environment. It is therefore necessary to monitor, not to exceed acceptable standards of elements in ecosystems. Heavy metals in soils are derived from natural and anthropogenic sources. The purpose of this article is to present the contents of copper and nickel in agricultural soils within the Vistula river catchment based on research carried out by the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation in the period since 1995 to 2010. The assessment of a degree of soil contamination by these elements according to standards has been also performed. It has been proven that about 91% of agricultural soils in Vistula river catchment shows natural (0°), while approximately 9% higher (Io) copper concentrations. It was found that in the total agricultural area of the Vistula river catchment, soils not contaminated with nickel (0°), with elevated (Io), and weakly contaminated soils (IIo) are respectively 85%, 11%, 4% of the analyzed soils area. There was a significant relationship between the content of copper and nickel in soils and such features as organic matter and pH. Analysis of results confirmed that the highly developed industrial activity affects the increased amount of pollutants in soils; the greatest accumulation occurred in soils of the upper Vistula river catchment, which is caused primarily by interaction of the Upper Silesian Industrial District.