Soil Surface Geochemical Anomaly Around the Copper-Nickel Metallurgical Smelter

The soils were sampled from the center of airborne contamination caused by long time activity of a copper/nickel smelter complex in the Kola Peninsula, Russia. The soil specimens were taken from an area about 250 km², which included the town of Monchegorsk, with frequency of 1 sample (plot) per 3 km² and heavy metals nickel, copper, cobalt, chromium, lead, cadmium, strontium, iron, manganese and arsenic were measured. The soil surrounding the Smelter, including the inhabited territory of the town, was found to be contaminated by nickel and copper to levels 450- and 250 times higher in comparison to the background, respectively. These soils were found to be extremely toxic and represented a severe threat to human health. Elevated concentrations of iron and arsenic caused by smelter emissions were found too.     

comparison of sulphur and heavy metal contents and their regional distribution in humus and moss samples from the vicinity of Nikel and Zapoljarnij,Kola Peninsula,Russia

Terrestrial moss and humus (the O-horizon) are often used separately for determining and monitoring airborne heavy metal pollution. Here, we directly compare the results of analyses of moss and humus samples taken at a density of one site per 300 km² in a 12 000 km² area (45 samples) around the nickel smelter in Nikel, the nickel ore roasting plant in Zapoljarnij, both in Russia, and the iron ore mine and mill near Kirkenes in Norway. The samples were air dried, digested in conc. HNO₃ and analysed for more than 30 elements by ICP-MS and ICP-AES at the laboratory of the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK). For most elements, observed levels and variations are considerably greater in soil than in moss. The main contaminants, Ni and Cu, reach equally high median levels in the moss and soil, but maximum values are far higher in soil. Both media show comparable regional distribution patterns for the heavy metals, but not for sulphur. Cu and Ni can be used to delineate the limits of contamination in the survey area. Both media show the same picture, with a generally very steep gradient from east to west and background levels being reached 30–50 km from the nickel smelter. When moss is used, Cu/Ni, Cu/S and Ni/S ratios can be used to separate input from the smelting and roasting proccesses in Russia. Both media are well suited to use separately to detect airborne pollution in this heavily contaminated area. The moss data are generally easier to interpret, but moss is not available at the most polluted sites. Levels for many elements other than Cu and Ni are close to the detection levels in moss samples, but not in humus samples. Information gathered from both media thus complement each other in a regional multi-element survey.     

A Comparison of Tree Rings and Peat Deposit Geochemical Archives in the Vicinity of a Lead Smelter

The content of Pb, Cd, Mn, K, Ca, Mg and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb isotope ratios in spruce tree rings (Picea abies) and peat cores from the Brdy Hills area (10 km W of the Pb smelter) were compared with those in spruce tree rings in the vicinity of the Pb smelter. Maximum Pb content in tree rings (up to 60 mg kg^?1 Pb) corresponds to a peak of metallurgical production in the mid 1970s and highest smelter emissions in the early 1970s. The Pb concentration curves obtained from peat deposit profiles closely correlate with the Pb concentrations in tree rings at both sampling sites. The small differences between the individual tree cores, with the identical general trend, may be attributed to the difference in distance from the smelter and the altitude of each sampling site. Similar behaviour to Pb can be observed for Cd and Ca. Lead isotope composition in tree rings (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ~1.143–1.174) is controlled mainly by the smelter emissions (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ~1.16–1.17), with the exception of the youngest segments from the more distant locality from the smelter, which yield isotopic signatures corresponding to car-emission Pb (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ~1.143–1.150). Higher content of Mn, Mg and Ca in tree rings corresponding to the 1970s and 1980s may be related to soil chemistry changes caused by acid deposition. In addition, an increase in K, Mg (and in some cases also Mn) in the youngest part of wood cores corresponds to the physiological processes in sapwood, and may be influenced by a decrease in Pb in organic soil horizons, which limited the cycling of basic inorganic nutrients.     

Phenolic Compounds and Cell Structure in Bilberry Leaves Affected by Emissions from a Zn–Pb Smelter

Vaccinium myrtillus L. is a common shrub in the herbaceous layer of pine forests. In connection with resistance to pollution it has been widely used in the environmental monitoring based on heavy metal accumulations in the foliage. The present study investigates leaves of bilberry growing under influence of emissions from a Zn–Pb smelter. Determination of heavy metal levels by AAS revealed enhanced accumulations of Zn, Pb, Cd, and Fe, and the level of Zn fell into the toxic range compiled for plants of average sensitivity. To verify the significance of metal accumulations occurring in the studied plant, the concentrations of phenolics were quantified by measuring UV absorption of foliage extracts. Phenolics can be used as a potential biomarker of pollution because they participate in plant’s response to accumulation of heavy metals, acting as antioxidants able to scavenge free radicals produced by metal ions. Leaves collected near the smelter contained significantly higher amounts of phenolics. Since these compounds are also responsible for ecological interactions, changes in their concentrations resulting from heavy metal accumulations might also influence other organisms in the ecosystem. To study the role of phenolics in heavy metal accumulations at the cellular level, a special fixation was applied for TEM, involving glutaraldehyde with caffeine, to precipitate phenolics in the cell. A histochemical reaction showed significantly higher electron-opacity, most probably deposits of phenolics, in cells of the leaves collected near the smelter. The subsequent degenerative changes in mesophyll of these leaves were characterized by increased contents of heterogeneous multivesicular structures, degeneration of chloroplasts, and disorganisation of membranes leading to death of the cell and necrosis.     

Emission of CO2 by soils in the impact zone of the Severonikel smelter in the Kola subarctic region

The intensity of the in situ soil respiration in the background northern taiga spruce forests of the Kola subarctic region reaches 120–290 mg C-CO₂/m² per h. In the impact zone of the Severonikel smelter, it decreases to 90–140, 30, and 15–30 mg C-CO₂/m² per h at the stages of spruce defoliation, spruce-birch woodland, and technogenic barrens of the technogenic succession, respectively. For the first time, the impact of the industrial pollution on root respiration has been assessed, and the dependences of the CO₂ emission, the contribution of mineral soil horizons to this process, the microbial biomass, and root respiration on the concentrations of available nickel and copper compounds have been determined. The efficiency of two remediation technologies applied to technogenic barrens near the smelter has been evaluated on the basis of four parameters of the soil biological activity. The results indicate that remediation with the creation of a new filled soil layer is more efficient than chemical and phytoremediation methods.     

Fertilization and Bioaugmentation for Oil Biodegradation in Salt Marsh Mesocosms

The content of 36 elements in the H horizon of coniferous forest floor humus was determined for 56 sampling plots situated in linear transects running out radially to a distance of 14 km from a lead smelter. Fine-scale contour maps of element content in humus revealed five types of basic patterns for the positions of hot spots. Using PCA and contour maps the following four dominant pollution sources were identified that had influenced the accumulation of some elements in humus in the area (615 km²): operation of a lead smelter (Ag, Bi, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, In, Pb, S, Sb, Zn), gravel production from stones from uranium pit heaps (Al, Be, Co, Cr, Ga, Mn, Sc, Se, Th, U, V), operation of works processing heat resistant steel (Mo) and anthropogenic or local geogenic factors (Ce, Co, La, Nd, Pr, Y). Except in the case of Pb, Cd, Zn, (As, Hg), high current and long-term accumulated loads of the other elements named above have not previously been indicated in the literature for this area. In addition, no patterns of accumulated elements in humus in details of registers and allotments are known for this area. The interpolated hot spot area for heavy forest humus contamination was found to be 5–80 km², however, U, Cd and Pb were highly accumulated in humus at 100, 320 and more than 630 km², respectively. At a distance of 200 m and 22 km windward and 600 m and 22 km leeward from the lead smelter, the Pb content in the forest floor humus was 78 500 and 131 μg g^-1 windward and 81 050 and 175 μg g^-1 leeward, respectively. The normal Pb content in forest floor humus is less than 100 μg g^-1 in the Czech Republic. Also patterns of accumulated elements in humus in details of registers and allotments have not been known for the area up to now. The distributions of the long-term accumulated elements in humus related to the distance from the source could be described nearly perfectly by exponential equations, while elevation, topography, leeward/windward exposure, and the geology of the sampling plots have not significantly influenced accumulation ofmost elements. Results of the forest floor humus analysis were fully supported by the parallel moss monitoring results. Humus monitoringtechniques can reliably determine the long-term effects of pollutionsources and reveal the hidden accumulated loads of elements in details in the landscape.     

Extent and conservation of tropical dry forests in the Americas

This paper shows the results of an assessment on the current extent of Neotropical dry forests based on a supervised classification of MODIS surface reflectance imagery at 500-m resolution. Our findings show that tropical dry forests extend for 519,597 km² across North and South America. Mexico, Brazil and Bolivia harbor the largest and best-preserved dry forest fragments. Mexico contains the largest extent at 181,461 km² (38% of the total), although it remains poorly represented under protected areas. On the other hand, Brazil and Bolivia contain the largest proportion of protected tropical dry forests and the largest extent in continuous forest fragments. We found that five single ecoregions account for more than half of the tropical dry forests in the Americas (continental and insular) and these ecoregions are: the Chiquitano dry forests, located in Bolivia and Brazil (27.5%), the Atlantic dry forests (10.2%), the Sinaloan dry forests in Mexico (9.7%), the Cuban dry forests (7.1%) and the Bajio dry forests in Mexico (7%). Chiquitano dry forests alone contain 142,941 km² of dry forests. Of the approximately 23,000 km² of dry forest under legal protection, 15,000 km² are located in just two countries, Bolivia and Brazil. In fact, Bolivia protects 10,609 km² of dry forests, where 7600 km² are located within the Chiquitano dry forest ecoregion and protected by a single park. Low extent and high fragmentation of dry forests in countries like Guatemala, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Peru means that these forests are at a higher risk from human disturbance and deforestation.     

Fluorine immission to acid soil in the vicinity of an aluminium smelter in Galicia (NW Spain) and its influence on aluminium dynamics

Purpose

The aluminium smelter located in the northern coast of Galicia (NW Spain) is a source of fluoride pollution. Previous papers Gago et al. (Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 32:2503–2517, 2001, Fluoride 35:110–121, 2002) have identified an area of 3-km radius around the factory being affected by fluoride emissions. This study aims to investigate the influence of fluoride emissions on fluorine concentration and speciation as well as on aluminium speciation in soils in the vicinity of the smelter.

Materials and methods

PVC cylinders containing soil material from the A horizon of an unpolluted forest soil, similar to that in the vicinity of the factory, were placed within the A horizon of soils surrounding the smelter. The cylinders were placed at various distances (up to 3 km) from the factory in the direction of predominant winds. The PVC columns were removed after 6 months, and the soil material inside was divided into two slices (0–10 and 10–20 cm) and analysed for pH, total and available fluorine, exchangeable cations, effective cation exchange capacity (CEC) and oxalate-extracted aluminium. The soil solution was mimicked by aqueous extracts and analysed for pH, electrical conductivity, Ca, Mg, Na, K, total and free fluorine, total Al, acid-soluble Al, non-labile Al, labile Al and labile Al species.

Results and discussion

In the area closest to the factory (0.5 km), total and available fluorine in the upmost 10 cm soil increased by twofold and eightfold, respectively, while soluble fluoride increased by fourfold. Increases were also observed in exchangeable Ca, Mg, Al and CEC. Noncrystalline Al increased significantly at any distance from the smelter. Fluorine, pH, sulphate, aluminium and organic matter increased in the soil solution of surface (<10 cm) samples closest to the factory. Monomeric Al-organic matter complexes prevailed in the liquid phase at 0.5–1 km from the factory whereas inorganic Al complexes did at distances over 1 km. Among the inorganic Al complexes, fluoride complexes prevailed at distances less than 1 km and hydroxylated complexes at distances greater than 1 km. Al³⁺ concentration was always very low.

Conclusions

Emissions from an aluminium smelter led to increased concentrations of fluorine and various forms of aluminium in the nearby soil. These emissions mobilised aluminium, organic matter and probably sulphate from the soil. In the closest neighbourhood of the smelter, it was found that most soluble aluminium was bound to organic matter, hence having low toxicity, while at distances farther than 1 km Al-F and Al-OH complexes prevailed.     

Oxygen radical absorbing capacity of phenolics in blueberries,cranberries, chokeberries,and lingonberries

The antioxidant activity of phenolics in fruits of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum cv. Sierra), cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon cv. Ben Lear), wild chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), and lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea cv. Amberland) was determined in this study. The phenolic constituents and contents among the different berries varied considerably. Anthocyanins were found to be the main components in all these berries. Chlorogenic acid in blueberry, quercetin glycosides in cranberry and lingonberry, and caffeic acid and its derivative in chokeberry were also present in relatively high concentrations. Chlorogenic acid, peonidin 3-galactoside, cyanidin 3-galactoside, and cyanidin 3-galactoside were the most important antioxidants in blueberry, cranberry, wild chokeberry, and lingonberry, respectively. The contribution of individual phenolics to the total antioxidant capacity was generally dependent on their structure and content in the berries. Phenolics such as quercetin and cyanidin, with 3',4'-dihydroxy substituents in the B ring and conjugation between the A and B rings, had highly effective radical scavenging structures in blueberries, cranberries, chokeberries, and lingonberries. Phenolic acids such as caffeic acid also showed high antioxidant activity, probably due to its dihydroxylation in the 3,4 positions as hydrogen donors.     

Copper in Scots pine forests around a heavy-metal smelter in south-western Finland

Distribution and fluxes of copper within Pinus sylvestris stands were studied during 1992–1994 along a heavy-metal pollution gradient in south-western Finland. The stands are situated at distances of 0.5, 4 and 8 km from a copper-nickel smelter that started operating in 1945 at Harjavalta. According to the results, copper concentrations in the soil, in the understorey vegetation and in the trees increased steeply towards the smelter. Almost 50 years' accumulation of heavy metals in the soil has caused direct toxic effects to soil microbes, thus decreasing decomposition and nutrient mineralisation. During the past few years, sulphur and heavy metal emissions from the copper and nickel smelter have been radically decreased. However, the heavy metals which have been accumulating in the soil for decades continue to affect the vegetation for a long time through soil processes. Consequently, long-term accumulation in the soil has to be taken into account when determining the critical loads of forest ecosystems for heavy metals.     

The appraisal of snow sampling for environmental pollution valuation

The snow sampling as well as nickel and copper determination were realized during winter seasons 1987, 88 and 89 years, in Kola Peninsula at area about 4000 km² affected by industrial emissions of big nickel-copper plant ‘Severonickel’ Smelter Complex situated in latitude 68° N, altitude 31° E. All investigated territory is found contaminated by nickel and copper by the factor 6–1500 times more than the European background, dependently for the distance and direction from the pollution source. The metal accumulation by snowpack is found considerably dependent upon meteorological conditions due to the metal leaching from snow during thaws and winter rains. Accordingly a snow sampling is inapplicable for a pollution monitoring in the subarctic seaside climate, because it may lead to false conclusions. This method may be useful only for reconnaisans, initial valuation of the unknown territory pollution.     

The Applicability of Peat and Needle Analysis in Heacy Metal Deposition Surveys

Peat and needle samples were collected from an old Cu, Zn and Ni ore-prospecting experiment at Alkkia, SW Finland. The element rates applied were 100–400 kg ha^-1 for Ni and 100–1000 kg ha^-1 for Cu and Zn. The heavy metal toxicity of Scots pine stand was estimated primarily on the basis of stand mortality during 28 yr. The tolerance limit values were applied to pine stands growing along a Cu-Ni deposition gradient (0.9–10 km) at Harjavalta copper smelter, SW Finland. Very high heavy metal concentrations in the pine needles and strong accumulation in the surface humus and uppermost peat layers were found. A Cu concentration of 840, Ni 180 and Zn 220 mg kg^-1 in peat 0–10 cm, and a Cu concentration of 50, Ni 30 and Zn 175 mg kg^-1 in the current needles of the uppermost whorl are proposed as toxicity limits for peatland forests at Harjavalta. According to the heavy metal amounts in peat 0–20 cm, the toxicity area for Cu extended to a distance of 2.0 km, for Ni about 1.0 km and for Zn 0.4 km to the west of the emission point source.     

Cutin composition of five finnish berries

The raw cutin (i.e., extractive-free isolated cuticular membrane) fraction from Finnish berries, sea buckthorn (Hippopha? rhamnoides), black currant (Ribes nigrum), cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos), lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), was depolymerized by NaOMe-catalyzed methanolysis. The composition of cutin monomers was determined by GC-(EI)MS analysis either as methyl esters or as TMSi esters, with OH groups derivatized to TMSi ethers. There was a notable difference in the degree of depolymerization, ranging from 6 to 47%. The extractive-free berry cuticle, that is, raw cutin, thus contains <50% polyester polymer cutin. The predominant cutin monomers were C(16) and C(18) omega-hydroxy acids with midchain functionalities, mainly epoxy and hydroxyl groups. Typically, the major compounds were 9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid, 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid, 9,10,18-trihydroxyoctadecanoic acid, 9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadec-12-enoic acid, and 18-hydroxyoctadec-9-enoic acid. The amount of epoxyacids was rather high in sea buckthorn ( approximately 70%) and cranberry ( approximately 60%), compared with the other berries. The black currant cutin differed from that of the other berries with a significant portion of hydroxyoxohexadecanoic acid ( approximately 12% of total monomers). This investigation of the cuticular hydroxy acids of five Finnish berries is part of the exploitation of the northern natural resources related to the chemical composition, nutritional value, and sensory properties.     

Changes in the properties of soils and soil biota in the impact zone of the aerotechnogenic emissions from the Kandalaksha aluminum smelter

A comparative analysis of the changes in the properties of the soils and soil biota in the past ten years along the gradient of pollution with aerotechnogenic emission from the Kandalaksha aluminum smelter in response to a decrease in the emission volume has been performed. The concentrations of fluorine compounds (the priority pollutant) in the emissions and in the organic soil horizons in the impact zone significantly decreased in 2011 relative to 2001. The concentrations of Al decreased only in close vicinity to the smelter (up to 2 km). The concentrations of F, Ca, and Mg in the liquid phase were higher than those in the solid phase, and these elements migrated to greater distances from the source of the contamination (up to 15–20 km). The elements Si, Al, Fe, and P were contained mostly in the solid phase and were mainly deposited within the 5-km zone. The acidity of the litter near the smelter decreased by almost by two pH units in the nearest zone (<2 km). The decrease in the amount of contaminants in the emissions resulted in the narrowing of the zone of the maximum soil contamination from 2.5 to 1.5 km from the emission source; the zones of strong and moderate contamination narrowed by 5 km. The regularities of the changes in the numbers and biomasses of the main groups of microorganisms in the soils of the permanent sampling plots did not change during the past ten years. The emissions inhibited the development of the fungal biota. The prokaryotic part of the soil microbiota and, particularly, the actinomycetes proved to be tolerant to the emitted contaminants. It was suggested that the changes in the structure of the fungal and actinomycetal communities should be used to monitor the state of the soil ecosystems affected by the emissions from the aluminum smelter.     

Characterization of phenolic profiles of Northern European berries by capillary electrophoresis and determination of their antioxidant activity

Berries are known to contain phenolic substances (i.e., flavonoids and phenolic acids), which comprise two large and heterogeneous groups of biologically active nonnutrients. This investigation evaluated the content and profile of the phenolic compounds present in six different berries found in Northern Europe. The latter included bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccus), strawberry (Fragaria ananassa), black currant (Ribes nigrum), and red currant (Ribes rubrum). The study was focused on two areas. The first involved the extraction and analysis of berries for total phenolic content and determination of their antioxidant activity. The total phenolic level of berries was correlated with their antioxidant activity. Second, the berry extracts were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis to determine the content and profile of selected bioactive compounds. The analytes of interest included trans-resveratrol, cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, quercetin, and morin.     

The effects of the emissions of the Kostomuksha mining complex on the chemical composition of deposition and soil water in the surrounding pine forests

The Kostomuksha mining complex in Russian Karelia is a major emission point source surrounded by large forest areas near the Finnish border. The sulphur dioxide emissions of the complex are almost 60 000 tonnes and dust emissions about 5 000 tonnes a year. Research into the effects of emissions on the surrounding forests were started in a Finnish-Russian co-operation project in 1992. Deposition measurements during the two first years indicate that the effects of the emissions extend about 30 km to the west of the complex. The annual sulphur deposition near the mining complex has been about 300 mg/m² in bulk precipitation and about 500 mg/m² in throughfall. Sulphur emissions sometimes extend the eastern parts of Finland, but there the deposition is clearly smaller than near to the mining complex. The high calcium emissions neutralize the acidifying effect of sulphur near to the mine and smelter. The iron concentration in precipitation also increased near the complex. Sulphur and calcium decreased in percolation water on moving westwards.     

Foraging in the fallows: Hunting patterns across a successional continuum in the Peruvian Amazon

Studies comparing hunting between secondary and mature forests are critical to understanding secondary forests’ potential as sustainable hunting grounds. I examined hunting across a successional continuum by surveying 67 households in three communities near the Cordillera Azul National Park, Peru, and analyzing the potential for sustainable hunting. Ninety-nine percent of households surveyed went hunting during the six-month study. Ninety-one species were recorded from seven vertebrate and invertebrate classes, with mammals the most hunted. Five percent of extraction events were species of concern on IUCN’s Red List. Households extracted significantly more, in terms of number of species, number of collection events, and biomass, from older forests (>20 y) than from young secondary (1-5 y) or old secondary forests (5-20 y). However, when extraction is measured per unit area (kg/km² or collection events/km²), households extracted more wildlife from old secondary forest. Households consumed meat at rates below Amazon regional averages. However, because human population densities are well above carrying capacity, current low harvest rates are likely a relic of past overharvests and do not reflect sustainability. Even if management focuses on source-sink dynamics with buffer zone hunting resupplied by protected area populations, long-term sustainability seems doubtful. As more agricultural clearing converts older forests to fields and fallows, the role of secondary forests in resource management plans will increase. The impact of high human population densities in the region means conservation and development programs should focus more on supplying alternative sources of protein and income and limiting immigration into the area.     

Sudbury Sediments Revisited: Evaluating Limnological Recovery in a Multiple-Stressor Environment

Paleolimnological techniques were utilized to determine whether diatom and scaled chrysophyte assemblages in Daisy, Swan, and Tilton lakes (Sudbury, Ontario) have recovered toward their preimpact conditions as a result of reduced inputs of anthropogenic pollutants (SO ₄ ^2? and metals) or whether other environmental stressors have affected recovery trajectories. In addition, geochemical analysis was used to track trends in sedimentary nickel and copper concentrations through time. Preindustrial algal assemblages were primarily dominated by circumneutral to alkaline and pH-indifferent taxa. However, with the onset of open-pit roasting and smelting operations, there was a stratigraphic shift toward acid-tolerant species. With wide-scale smelter emission reductions commencing in the 1970s, scaled chrysophyte assemblages in Swan and Daisy lakes have started to show signs of biological recovery in ～1984 and ～1991, respectively. Although the scaled chrysophyte assemblage in Tilton Lake has not recovered toward the predisturbance assemblage, the decline in acidophilic taxa and increase in circumneutral taxa in recently deposited lake sediments indicate that the community is responding to increased lake water pH. Conversely, diatom assemblages within each of the study lakes have not begun to recover, despite well-documented chemical recovery. It is suspected that biological recovery in Sudbury area lakes may be impeded by other environmental stressors such as climate warming. Copper and nickel concentrations in lake sediments increased with the onset of mining activities and subsequently declined with emission controls. However, metal concentrations in lake sediments remain elevated compared to preindustrial concentrations. Together, biological and geochemical evidence demonstrates the clear environmental benefits associated with smelter emission controls.     

Impact of Sewage Sludge Application on the Long-Term Nutrient Balance in Acid Soils of Scots Pine (Pinus Sylvestris,L.) Forests

The objective of the investigation was to determine the effectsof sewage sludge application on nutrient concentrations in soil and plant biomass fractions in Scots pine forests (Pinus sylvestris, L.), situated on sandy soils with low pH, in a south to north temperature gradient in Sweden. Twenty tons dw ha^-1 of sewage sludge was applied in 50 to 60 yr old pine forests at foursites from Brösarp in South Sweden to Jukkasjärvi in thenorthern parts of the country.Application of 20 ton dw ha^-1 of sewage sludge significantlyincreased the concentrations of extractable N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na, in both the mor layer and in the upper 10 cm of the mineral soil. Three years after sludge application K concentrations were only significantly increased in the upper 10 cm of the mineral soil. After 11 yr the concentrations of P were still at the samelevel in the mor layer as after three years. The concentrations of Ca, Mg and Na had slightly decreased only in the mor layer. There was, in most cases, a statistically significant positive correlation between the amount of applied sludge and nutrientconcentrations in the soil, as well as in pine needles and in leaves of Vaccinium vitis-idaea.In all sites, Mg concentrations in the mor layer was positivelyand significantly correlated with Mg concentrations in current-year pine needles. Similarly, concentrations of Ca, Mg,and P in the mor layer were correlated with concentrations of these elements in current-year shorts of Vaccinium vitis-idaea.