Abstract
The concentrations of Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn in the soil and litterfall, as
well as influx of the elements to the soils with litterfall were studied
in a mixed beech-pine-spruce stand in northern Poland during the years
2007–2009. Annual influx of litterfall to the soil amounted from 3.234 to
4.871 t/ha. Beech, pine and spruce litterfall contributed in total
litterfall in 50.8−70.1%, 11.4−11.9% and 1.6−24.0% respectively. The
following average annual concentrations of heavy metals in total
litterfall during the 3-year study period were noticed: 2469.3–3469.2 mg
Mn/kg, 153.6–160.8 mg/kg Zn, 8.0–14.3 mg Ni/kg and 5.0–6.8 mg Cu/kg. In
general, the concentrations of Mn and Cu were higher in beech litterfall
in comparison to pine and spruce. The contents of Zn and Ni in beech, pine
and spruce litterfall were comparable. Annual influx of metals to the soil
with litterfall was: 10341.6–14422.4 g/ha Mn, 460.3–748.1 g/ha Zn,
37.4–66.6 g/ha Ni and 20.2–31.8 g/ha Cu. The fluxes were higher for Mn, Zn
and Ni, and comparable for Cu in relation to those observed in other
beech, pine, spruce and mixed stands in northern Europe.
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