Concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn in the top layer of soil and needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.); a case study of two extremely different conditions of the forest environment in Poland.

Abstract

The paper presents the results of study on the concentration of selected trace elements in the upper soil layer (020 cm), forest litter and in needles of pine growing in the ecosystems with different degrees of pollution, using the examples of two districts (Olkusz Forest District and Gizycko Forest District). Analysis of the content of cadmium, lead and zinc in the upper soil layer, forest litter and two-year-old needles of Scots pine showed that the contents of the analysed elements differed significantly between the tested stands. Statistical analyses showed a positive correlation between the content of the heavy metals in needles and their contents in litter and soil.