Element Concentrations in Soils and Plant Bioindicators in Selected Habitats of the Holy Cross Mountains,Poland

The objectives of this investigation in the HolyCross Mountain region of Poland were (1) to determineconcentration ranges and (2) mobility of elements within fivedetailed soil profiles and their apparent impact on thechemistry of some plant bioindicators, i.e. lichen thalli ofthe species Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. and Scotspine (Pinus sylvestris L.) bark. The results ofelemental determinations performed on soils and vegetationfrom the Holy Cross Mts show that some concentrations ofelements are elevated primarily due to air pollution.However, since 1994 a steady decrease in the content of S andsome heavy metals has been recorded in all the mediaexamined. Concentrations of many elements in H.physodes thalli and P. sylvestris needles of the Holy Cross Mountains are generally similarto those in other areas of Europe.