Application of Enrichment Factor to Assessment of Zinc Enrichment/Depletion in Farming Soils

Abstract

Abstract Zinc (Zn) content was assayed in the farming soils of Suszec commune (agricultural and mining district in southern Poland). Its content in the soils (n=1227) assayed by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) ranged from 22.8 to 177.1 mg/kg. The enrichment factor (EF) calculated by using calcium as a reference element fell within a range of 0.66–2.63. The mean values of the enrichment factor classified the soil as slightly contaminated with zinc. The values of EF less than 1 pointing to zinc deficiency in the soil were found for 52% of the samples tested. Acid soils with low humus content showed a tendency for zinc‐deficient samples to significantly increase in number. Keywords: Zincsoilenrichment/depletionenrichment factor