Heavy metal pollution,phosphatase activity,and mineralization of organic phosphorus in forest soils

Industrial Cu and Zn pollution reduces the decomposition rate, phosphatase activity, and P mineralization rate in the mor horizon of conifer forest surrounding a brass mill in Sweden. There is statistical evidence for Cu being more responsible for this effect than Zn at about equal concentrations. A negative influence on the phosphatase activity is measurable already at a low degree of pollution. A higher pH of the soil may counteract the heavy metal effect to some extent.