Geochemical characterization of soils of the eastern coast of the Northern Sakhalin Lowland

Concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) were determined in soils of the eastern coast of the Northern Sakhalin Lowland. The total contents of HMs and their distribution in the studied soils differed from those in the world soils. Thus, barium and mercury concentrations exceeded clarke values for the world soils. The reserves of mobile forms of microelements were found to be low. Significant biogenic accumulation in organic soil horizons in the process of soil formation was found for copper, arsenic, and barium.