Spurenelemente in Bodensequenzen II. Zwei Pararendzina – Pseudogley – Sequenzen aus Löß

Trace elements in pedosequences II. Two Pararendzina-Pseudogley-sequences on loess Total amounts and fractions of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Co and Ni extractable in boiling oxalate (replacing dithionite for analytical reasons), oxalate at room temperature and EDTA were determined in two hydro-pedosequences on loess ranging between Pararendzina-Braunerde-Parabraunerde-Pseudogley. The pedogenic influence on the depth functions of these trace elements was much weaker in the loess soils than in those on slates of part I of this study. With a few exceptions external additions seem to be masked by soil cultivation. Clay movement (Alfisols) produced maxima of Fe and Cu in the B_t horizon. Carbonates of the parent loess contain trace elements which are released into the soil during solum formation. As long as they exist in carbonates they are hardly extractable with oxalate but with EDTA. In contrast, after pedogenic decomposition of the carbonates in the B horizon their trace elements are now oxalate but no longer EDTA extractable. In the A horizon, where organic matter is involved the trace elements are again EDTA extractable. As in the soils from slate (part I) Cd behaves more similarly to Pb than to Zn. The total element balance indicates a slight gain of Pb and loss of Zn whereas the total amount of the other elements was essentially unchanged. Generally, the more mobile fractions increased during soil formation.     

Spurenelemente in Bodensequenzen I. Zwei Braunerde-Podsol-Sequenzen aus Tonschieferschutt

Trace elements in pedosequences I. Two Braunerde-Podsol-sequences on slate Total amounts and fractions of Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Co and Ni extractable in boiling oxalate (replacing dithionite for analytical reasons), oxalate at room temperature and EDTA were determined in two pedosequences on slates ranging between Braunerde (Ochrept) and Podsol (Spodosol). The total amounts lay within the normal range of these elements in slates except a few samples much higher in Zn and Cd due to sulphides in the rock. In surface soil horizons rich in organic carbon the trace elements are accumulated in the order Cu < Zn < Cd < Pb. This accumulation increased with increasing degree of podsolization but is also partly due to atmospheric input. The relative accumulation of the various fractions in the surface soil increased in the order: boiling oxalate < room temperature oxalate < EDTA. Along the same order the depth function is determined to increasing extent by pedogenic processes rather than by lithogenic differences. In contrast to Fe, no minima in the podsol A₂ nor definite maxima in the B were noticed for Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd. With regard to the affinity towards organic matter Cd appears to behave more similarly to Pb than to Zn. Co and, even more so, Ni were lost during podsolization. The significance of the fractionation procedure which was very useful with Fe was not satisfying with the trace elements. Relationships between single element fractions and various soil components were generally poor except for that between the EDTA fraction and organic matter content. The total element balance is complicated by the heterogenity of the parent rock, but an increase in the mobile fractions in the solum during podsolization is generally indicated. There was a loss in the total amount of Fe, Cu, Zn, Co and Ni due to podsolization whereas a gain for Pb and Cd was noticed most probably through atmospheric intake.     

A comparison of hydroxylamine and ammonium oxalate solutions as extractants for Al, Fe and Si from Spodosols and Spodosol-like soils in Canada

The suitability of acid hydroxylamine as an extractant for Al, Fe and Si hydrous oxides was evaluated by comparing its effectiveness with that of ammonium oxalate in pedogenic studies of Spodosols in Canada. Al, Fe and Si were extracted by acid hydroxylamine and acid ammonium oxalate solutions from samples of three major horizons of nine pedons of Spodosols and two pedons of Spodosol-like soils. Relative to oxalate, hydroxylamine extracted only slightly less Al and Fe but considerably more Si from all horizons of the selected pedons. Oxalate appears to be slightly more effective in extracting pedogenic amorphous material whereas hydroxylamine is more effective in extracting amorphous material formed by mechanical grinding. On the whole, the hydroxylamine method gives a good approximation of oxalate-extractable Al and Fe in all major horizons studied and should be used for soils containing magnetite. The hydroxylamine method, however, does not give a good approximation of oxalate-extractable Si.     

Mikrosonden- und Röntgenbeugungs-Untersuchungen an Tonbelägen von lessivierten Böden aus Löß

Microprobe and x-ray diffraction studies of clay coatings in leached soils derived from loess Point analyses of Si, Al, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn, as well as of Zn and Pb of clay coatings in soil thin sections from illuvial horizons of four leached soils were carried out using an electron microprobe (EMA). The K, Mg, Si, and Al content, the Si/Al-molar ratio of coatings and XRD-analyses indicate that the clay coatings consist mainly of illitic clay minerals. This suggests either a mineral-specific displacement of illite or the formation of illitic clay coatings from migrated smectite or expanded illite (“illitization”) through subsequent K uptake. The clay coatings show, with the exception of Fe, Mn, Zn and Pb, only little variation in their chemical composition within the same horizon. Between the horizons of the investigated soils, however, distinct differences in the total element content, especially in the K content may occur. The strong vertical variation of the K content in clay coatings in some horizons is probably due to acidic conditions and lateral infiltration which lead to an increased weathering of illite and the depletion of K. The EMA results show that Pb is predominantly bound in Fe-Mn-Oxide coatings on the surface of clay minerals or in Fe-Mn-Oxide precipitates within clay coatings. Microanalyses of K depleted clay coatings indicate on the other hand an increased fixation of Zn in expanded illites.     

桂西北喀斯特地区典型土壤在不同筛分强度下团聚体的稳定性

采用AS 200筛分仪分析了不同有机碳含量下3种喀斯特典型土壤(红壤、棕色石灰土、黑色石灰土)的团聚体颗粒在不同筛分强度(1.5,2和2.5mm振幅)的分级特征。结果显示,3种土壤平均重量直径(MWD)从大到小为:黑色石灰土棕色石灰土红壤(p0.05)。随筛分强度由小到大,棕色石灰土和黑色石灰土的团聚体颗粒分级变化较小,红壤团聚体颗粒分级由大颗粒(8,8~5,5~2mm)团聚体为主逐渐变为中间粒径颗粒(5~2,2~1mm)。红壤团聚体结构最易被筛分过程破坏,其次是棕色石灰土,最后是黑色石灰土。研究表明石灰土团聚体机械稳定性强于红壤,且筛分强度直接影响团聚体分级结果。从团聚体聚合角度来看,喀斯特石灰土土壤稳定性较强。     

Fate of airborne metal pollution in soils as related to agricultural management: 2. Assessing the role of biological activity in micro‐scale Zn and Pb distributions in A,B and C horizons

This work assesses relationships between characteristic aggregate microstructures related to biological activity in soils under different long‐term land use and the distribution and extractability of metal pollutants. We selected two neighbouring soils contaminated with comparable metal loads by past atmospheric deposition. Currently, these soils contain similar stocks, but different distributions of zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) concentrations with depth. One century of continuous land use as permanent pasture (PP) and conventional arable (CA) land, has led to the development of two soils with different macro‐ and micro‐morphological characteristics. We studied distributions of organic matter, characteristic micro‐structures and earthworm‐worked soil by optical microscopy in thin sections from A, B and C horizons. Concentrations and amounts of total and EDTA‐extractable Zn and Pb were determined on bulk samples from soil horizons and on size‐fractions obtained by physical fractionation in water. Large amounts of Zn and Pb were found in 2–20‐µm fractions, ascribed to stable organo‐mineral micro‐aggregates influenced by root and microbial activity, present in both soils. Unimodal distribution patterns of Zn, Pb and organic C in size‐fractions were found in horizons of the CA soil. In contrast, bimodal patterns were observed in the PP soil, because large amounts of Zn and Pb were also demonstrated in stable larger micro‐aggregates (50–100‐µm fractions). Such differing distribution patterns characterized all those horizons markedly influenced by earthworm activity. Larger earthworm activity coincided with larger metal EDTA‐extractability, particularly of Pb. Hence, land use‐related biological activity leads to specific soil microstructures affecting metal distribution and extractability, both in surface and subsurface horizons.     

长城塬全新世黄土剖面重金属元素揭示的成壤环境变化

通过广泛的野外考察,选择宁夏自治区长城塬全新世黄土土壤剖面进行了系统采样以及化学元素、磁化率、和粒度等多指标的测定。结果表明:(1)重金属元素Mn,Zn,Ni,Cu,V和Cr的含量变化趋势与磁化率、烧失量和黏粒含量变化趋势呈正相关关系,而它们与CaCO₃和粗粉沙含量变化趋势呈负相关关系。这些重金属元素的含量在全新世中期古土壤层(S₀)中呈现高值,在各黄土层(L₁,L_t,L₀)中呈现低值。这表明风化成壤过程中,这些元素的含量变化受到全新世以来季风气候变化和成壤作用的影响。(2)重金属元素Pb含量变化趋势与上述元素的含量变化趋势相比差异较大。Pb的含量变化趋势与磁化率变化趋势无明显相关性,Pb的含量变化趋势与黏粒和烧失量变化趋势呈负相关关系,而与粗粉沙含量变化趋势呈正相关关系。Pb的含量在全新世早期过渡性黄土层(L_t)呈现最低值,在全新世中期古土壤层(S₀)、近代黄土层(L₀)和现代表土层(TS)相对较高,并与晚更新世马兰黄土层(L₁)相当,表明Pb主要包含在粗颗粒和重矿物之中,其化学性质比较稳定,具有强抗风化性,很少受到风化成壤作用的影响。     

Contributions of different parent materials in soils developed from periglacial cover‐beds

Soils frequently develop from mixtures of different parent materials. We quantified the contributions of different parent materials to the substrate for recent soil development using trace metal concentrations and Pb isotope ratios as input data for end‐member mixing analyses (EMMAs). We examined six transects (320–775 m) at two sites in the Rhenish Slate Mountains. Soil types ranged from acid Cambisols to stagnic Luvisols developed from periglacial cover‐beds. Sixteen O, 11 A, 120 B and 10 C horizons were analysed for total trace metal concentrations and partly also ²⁰⁶Pb:²⁰⁷Pb ratios. Most metal concentrations in the B horizons were in the background range, except for Pb, which partly had elevated concentrations of up to 135 mg kg⁻¹. The depth distribution of metal concentrations and ²⁰⁶Pb:²⁰⁷Pb ratios suggested that metals deposited from the atmosphere had hardly reached the B horizons. A principal component analysis (PCA) of the trace element concentrations in the 120 B horizons identified four main metal sources of the B horizons, which we interpreted as bedrock (slate), loess, Laacher See tephra (LST) resulting from the last volcanic eruption in the Eifel mountains and ore veins. The slate was characterized by Cr and Zn, the loess by Zr, the LST by Nb and the ore veins by Pb. Based on EMMAs with four end‐members using two different sets of tracers (Set 1: concentration ratios of Zr:Cr, Nb:Cr, Pb:Cr, Set 2: Zr:Zn, Nb:Zn, and Pb:Zn), slate, loess and LST contributed, on average, 39–40, 22–24 and 37–38%, respectively, at Site 1 and 19–21, 53–63 and 18–26%, respectively, at Site 2. In contrast, the ore contribution was consistently estimated at 0%. An additional EMMA with two end‐members based on the ²⁰⁶Pb:²⁰⁷Pb ratios estimated the contribution of the ore at 0.02%. We conclude that EMMAs based on trace element concentrations and isotope ratios provide a tool for determining the contribution of different parent materials to the substrate from which soils develop, at least at a small regional scale and if an appropriate tracer that distinguishes all the considered substrates is found.     

Quantitative Mineralbestimmung in der Schlufffraktion von Böden auf der Grundlage der chemischen Analyse und unter Anwendung der Karl-Fischer-Titration. II. Ergebnisse bei Böden aus Geschiebedecksand,Geschiebemergel und Löß

Quantitative estimation of the mineralogical composition from silt-fractions of soils on the basis of the chemical analysis and by application of the Karl-Fischer-titration. II. Results obtained with soils from glacial sand, boulder marl and loess The contents of micas and feldspars were quantified in the silt-fractions from horizons of a podsolic brown earth developed on glacial sand and of lessives on loess as well as on boulder marl by using a method that has been described in detail in part I. Three components each of micas and of feldspars, namely muscovite (Ms), phlogopite (Phl), annite (Ann), orthoclase (Or), albite (Ab) and anorthite (An) were determined. The silt fractions of the three investigated soils are similar in their mineralogical composition. Feldspars are composed of equally high amounts of Or and Ab. Micas are dominated by the Ms-component. Apparently the mica content of the silt fractions is reduced during soil development, whereas no significant changes can be found for feldspars. The loss of micas is responsible for the decreasing potassium content of the silt fractions.     

山东省不同土地利用方式土壤颗粒组成及其分形维数特征

选取山东省120个不同土壤剖面,应用分形理论研究不同土地利用方式的土壤颗粒分形特征以及与土壤养分的相关关系。结果表明:（1）不同土地利用方式土壤铵态氮、硝态氮、速效磷、全磷、全氮、有机质含量均表现为林地和草地显著高于耕地和农地（p < 0.05）,其中林地和草地土壤铵态氮、硝态氮、速效磷、全磷、全氮、有机质含量差异均不显著（p > 0.05）。（2）不同土地利用方式土壤粒径分布中,黏粒含量占主导地位,黏粒含量百分比45.98%～67.12%,粗砂粒含量相对较低。（3）不同土地利用方式土壤颗粒分布的分形维数随着土层深度增加逐渐增大,0—10 cm土层土壤颗粒分布分形维数变化幅度较小,而40—50 cm变化幅度较大。（4）回归分析表明不同土地利用方式土壤颗粒分形维数与土壤粒径呈显著或极显著的线性负相关。（5）相关分析表明不同土地利用方式土壤分形维数均与土壤有机质含量呈显著负相关,与土壤铵态氮、硝态氮、速效磷、全磷、全氮呈正相关。综上所述,不同土地利用方式下土壤颗粒组成差异较大,草地和林地相对于耕地和农地大颗粒含量明显增多,小颗粒明显减少,土壤颗粒分布的分形维数可以作为表征土壤肥力的状况指标。     

添加^14C标记稻草对喀斯特典型土壤有机碳矿化的影响

为了研究有机物质对喀斯特地区典型土壤有机碳积累与转化的影响,采集两种喀斯特典型土壤（棕色石灰土、黑色石灰土）和一种对照土壤（红壤）的表层土壤（0～15cm）,设置不添加外源物质（CK）和添加14C标记的稻草（T1）的处理,进行为期100d的土壤培养试验及矿化试验。测定并分析了这3种典型土壤类型的微生物生物量碳（MBC）表观周转时间和田间周转时间、外源有机物质对土壤原有有机碳的激发效应以及CO2释放量。结果表明：MBC表观周转时间和田间周转时间依次分别为（71±2）d、（243±20）d、（254±45）d和0.29、1.0、1.04a。添加标记的14C有机物质后,土壤原有有机质的激发效应大小依次为红壤〉棕色石灰土〉黑色石灰土。在相同条件下,红壤不利于土壤有机质的累积,而棕色石灰土和黑色石灰土有利于土壤有机质的累积。     

黄土不同粒级稀土元素分布特征及其制约因素

对宁镇地区下蜀黄土和北方黄土高原黄土进行系统的分粒级稀土元素(REE)地球化学特征对比研究,结果表明:(1)无论是北方黄土还是下蜀黄土,REE分布均存在明显的粒级效应:北方黄土的REE主要在细粒端(4μm)富集,粗粒端(64μm)富集不明显;下蜀黄土在细粒端(4μm)和粗粒端(64μm)均呈明显的REE富集特征,且粗粒端的富集更加显著;(2)北方黄土和下蜀黄土在细粒端(4μm)的REE富集主要由风化成壤作用所控制,细粒组分中富集重稀土(HREE)的特征可能与Fe-Mn氧化物对HREE的专性吸附作用有关;(3)下蜀黄土在粗粒端(64μm)则主要以富集轻稀土(LREE)为主,这可能与下蜀黄土母质来源中多近源的区域性特征矿物(榍石等副矿物)有关,揭示下蜀黄土中的粗颗粒物质可能主要来源于近距离搬运。64μm可能是凸显下蜀黄土和北方黄土REE差异的敏感粒级,该粒级中LREE富集与否是区别两者的有效标志,这为REE应用于黄土的物源示踪研究提供了新途径。     

Unravelling zinc and lead distributions in dolomitic and metapelitic soils of the Brazilian Central Plateau: insight from physical fractionation,optical microscopy and X‐ray microfluorescence

Large zinc and lead concentrations occur in strongly weathered soils of Cambisol–Ferralsol toposequences in the Paracatu‐Vazante area (Central Plateau, Brazil). Weathering of the mineralized dolomite parent material of the Cambisols is hypothesized to be the geogenic source of zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb), with dissemination downslope into the Ferralsols. This leads to different metal distribution patterns in the two soils. We studied Zn and Pb distributions in selected A and B horizons of two typical profiles to examine this hypothesis and assess the contribution of sesquioxides to the retention of these metals. Physical separation into 200–2000, 50–200, 20–50 and < 20‐µm size fractions in water without chemical dispersants was carried out before (F1) and after (F2) ultrasonification. The fractions were analysed for total and extractable Zn and Pb concentrations and studied by X‐ray diffraction and optical microscopy. Microscale Zn and Pb distribution maps were obtained by using micro‐X‐ray fluorescence on thin sections. For the Cambisol, the composition, morphology and large Zn and Pb concentrations of coarse‐sized F2 fractions were consistent with a geogenic metal origin. In both soils, < 20‐µm fractions contained the largest amounts of Zn and Pb. In the Cambisol, this < 20‐µm fraction included poorly crystalline Mn‐rich material, encouraging strong Pb sorption. The Ferralsol < 20‐µm fractions contained more Al‐ and Fe‐oxide‐rich microaggregates, which also enhanced strong metal retention. Large sesquioxide contents in these and similar tropical soils reduce metal mobilities. This limits the risk of toxicity when such soils, with metal contents exceeding guidelines, are used for agriculture.     

Total and extractable trace element contents of soils in England and Wales

Soil samples taken by soil auger to a depth of 150 mm from randomly selected agricultural fields throughout England and Wales were analysed for total As, B, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn, acetic acid-extractable Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, EDTA-extractable Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn, ammonium oxalate extractable Ni and Mo and hot water-extractable B. Median, log-derived mean and range data are given for each element. Median values are given also by parent material and textural grouping.     

Trace element distributions in soils developed in loess deposits from northern France

A pedo‐geochemical survey was carried out in the Nord‐Pas de Calais region (France) on soils developed in loess deposits. Total concentrations of Al, Fe and 18 trace elements, as well as common soil characteristics, were determined in samples from 52 surface and 97 deep horizons developed in these loess deposits. The Pb isotopic composition was determined in two sola. The composition of deep horizons, compared with that of the upper continental crust, with that of horizons developed from 21 other sedimentary rocks from the region and with that of loess from various parts of the world, confirms that loess from the Nord‐Pas de Calais region derives from multi‐recycled and well‐mixed ancient sedimentary rocks. Correlation analysis shows that least mobile (i.e. ionic potential (Z/r) is between 3 and 7) geogenic elements (Bi, Co, Cr, Cu, In, Ni, Pb, Sn, Tl, V, Zn) are associated with the fraction <2 µm (which we define as ‘lutum’). More mobile elements (As, Cd, Hg, Mn, Mo, Sb, Se) are less associated with this fraction. Cadmium is particularly linked to Mn. The distribution of [trace element]/([Al] or [Fe]) in the French loess gives the background content for soils developed from most sedimentary materials in northwestern Europe. Topsoils are enriched with all the trace elements examined, except Co, Cr and Ni. Enrichments with Cd, Cu, Mn and Zn are greater in cultivated soils than in forest soils. Enrichments with Pb and with Cu, Hg, Mo, Sb, Se and Sn are mainly due to human contamination through atmospheric fallout. Organic matter seems to act as a sink for all the exogenous trace elements.     

Transformations des carbonates dans une sequence de sols developpees sur marnes dans Le Bassin Aquitain,France

Soils of a toposequence formed chiefly in Tertiary marls in the south-eastern part of the “Bassin Aquitain” have been studied by field and micromorphological methods. Profiles were examined in detail in the field and oriented samples taken of horizons for observations of micromorphology. From the upper to the lower part of the toposequence, the four profiles also form a chronosequence, viz., a recent calcareous brown soil (sol brun calcaire), an old calcic brown soil (sol brun calcique), a still older leached brown soil (sol brun lessivé) and a hydromorphic leached soil (sol lessivé hydromorphe).The profile distribution and forms of calcite can be related to the morphology, ages and parent materials of the soils. Calcite is found as relics in the upper horizons of the calcareous brown soil and in the form of accumulations in the Bca and Cca horizons of the calcareous brown soil, the calcic brown soil and the leached brown soil. Where accumulations are limited, calcite forms pseudomycelia associated with roots, first as calcitans in tabular pores or craze planes and second as coalescing pseudomycelia. Finally, the calcite invades the S-matrix by epigenesis and results in crumbly masses. These masses have the shapes of the structural voids originally present in the parent materials. The common voids in the marl are vertical craze planes, the widths of which differ with the moisture regime of a soil. In the sandstones, the craze planes are horizontal and very small. The distribution of the calcitans and the presence of the crumbly masses indicate that the processes of accumulation of calcite are in part biodependent, i.e., related to root distribution, and in part lithodependent, i.e., related to structure of the parent rock.Finally, the presence in the calcareous brown soil of calcite as relics in the upper horizons and as successions of cutans from outsides to insides of pores (calcitan, argillan, calcitan) in the Bca horizon shows that the profile has a polycyclic origin.     

受土壤类型和金属负荷量影响的重金属形态分布

Two series of soil subsamples, by spiking copper(Cu),lead(Pb),zinc(Zn)and cadmium(Cd)in an orthogonal design,were prepared using red soil and brown soil,respectively.The results indicated that heavy metal fractions in these soil subsamples depended not only on soil types,but also on metal loading quantity as well as on interactions among metals in soil.Lead and Cu in red soil appeared mostly in weakly specifically adsorbed(WSA),Fe and Mn oxides bound(OX),and residual(RES)fractions.Zine cxisted in all fractions except organic bound one,and Cd was major in water soluble plus exchangeable(SE)one.Different from the results of red soil,Pb and Cu was present in brown soil in all fractions except organic one,but over 75% of Zn and 90% of Cd existed only in SE fraction.Meanwhile,SE fraction for any metal in red soil was lower than that in brown soil and WSA and OX fractions were higher.It is in agreernent with low cation exchange capacity and large amounts of metal oxides included in red soil.Metal fractions in soil,especially for water soluble plus exchangeable one ,were obviously influenced by other coexisting metals.The SE fraction of heavy metals increased with increasing loading amounts of metals in red soil but not obviously in brown soil,which suggest that metal availability be easily affected by their total amounts spiked in red soil.In addition,more metals in red soil were extracted with 0.20 mol L^-1 NH4Cl（pH5.40）than that with 1.0 mol L^-1 Mg(NO3)2(pH7.0),but the reverse happened in brown soil,implicating significantly different mechanisms of metal desorption from red soil and brown soil.     

THE INFLUENCE OF MAGNESIUM AND OF EASILY WEATHERED MINERALS ON HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY CHANGES IN A SODIC SOIL

Exchangeable Mg appears to have no specific effect on soil hydraulic conductivity of A and C horizons of a sodic sandy loam soil (montmorillonite and kaolinite clay minerals) leached with solutions which cause clay swelling to be the dominant mechanism reducing conductivity (SAR < 20, electrolyte concentration 10 meq per litre). There is some evidence of a specific effect when these soils are subsequently leached with water which causes clay dispersion to become important. Fresh loess in the A horizon dissolves in percolating rainwater, causing difficulties in the replication of experiments. It seems to give a small degree of ‘self protection’ to soil structure, a property likely to be operating in other soils affected by recent loess deposits.     

Etude de la nutrition potassique du sorgho II‐ incidence du remplacement du potassium par le sodium sur la teneur en acides organiques des feuilles

Abstract

An Investigation was conducted to determine the content and distribution of total and DTPA‐extractable Zn in the genetic horizons of 72 agriculturally important soils from the six major mineral soil areas in Louisiana.

The concentration of total Zn appeared to vary more with the clay constituents of the soils and the amount of the element in the parent materials than with soil depth. The majority of the soils had the largest amounts of total Zn in the subsurface horizons. The range in total Zn for all soils and horizons was from 7.0 to 150.0 ppm.

The DTPA‐extractable Zn in all of the soils and horizons ranged from 0.08 to 4.22 ppm. In the majority of the soil profiles the highest concentration of extractable Zn was in the surface horizons. There was a decrease in the extractable Zn with increasing soil depth. The alluvial soils along the Ouachita and Mississippi Rivers, and the Mississippi Terrace soil areas contained relatively large amounts of DTPA‐extractable Zn.

In some soils the extractable Zn significantly correlated with total Zn. There was also a close relationship between extractable Zn and organic matter content, especially in the Ap horizons.     

Heavy metals in 3300-year-old agricultural soils used to assess present soil contamination

For evaluating present concentrations of heavy metals in soils, it is important to be able to determine natural or background soil concentrations. Here, we compare the content of 7 m HNO₃-extractable and 0.2 m Na-EDTA-extractable fractions of cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) in present day cultivated A horizons (Ap) under different land uses and 19 buried A horizons (Apb) that have been covered by 3300-year-old burial mounds. The buried A horizons represent a unique opportunity to evaluate background concentrations of heavy metals in top soil. Variations in background concentrations were mainly related to clay content. Using the grain size distribution of present-day topsoils (cultivated and forest/natural A horizons), the background concentrations were calculated and subtracted from observed concentrations prior to an evaluation of soil-type- and land-use-specific metal accumulation. All cultivated soils were significantly enriched with respect to Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu over the last 3300 years and all forest soils were enriched with Pb. The study highlights the importance of using appropriate reference material for assessing present-day metal concentrations and stocks.