Forms and distribution of heavy metals in soils of the Axios delta of northern Greece

Abstract

Distribution and availability of heavy metals to plants is important when assessing the environmental quality of an area. The objectives of this study, conducted in 1992–1993, were: a) to determine the levels of the heavy metals, cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper(Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn), in the soils of the Axios Delta (a Ramsar wetland site in Northern Greece) so that the degree of pollution could be ascertained, b) to identify the various heavy metal forms present in soils using a fractionation scheme based on sequential extraction, and c) to find possible dependence on soil physicochemical properties. Total heavy metal content of the soils studied was generally higher than the levels reported in the literature for similar soils, suggesting some degree of pollution with heavy metals. The exchangeable forms of the heavy metals, however, were very low indicating that under present conditions, the availability of the heavy metals to plants is at a minimum. Most of the heavy metals occurred in forms that are considered immobile constituents of inorganic minerals or carbonate compounds. Only Cu and Zn were present in appreciable quantities as organically‐based forms that can become potentially available under certain conditions. Spatial distribution of Zn and Cu was related to the organic matter distribution, and there were indications suggesting that the immobile fraction of the heavy metals was adsorbed on to Mn‐oxides.