Heavy Metals in Polish Forest Stands of Quercus Robur and Q. Petraea

This study aimed to compare concentrations of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu in wood of Quercus robur and Q. petraea and in the soil on 21 plots in different parts of Polish lowlands. Concentrations of those metals in growth rings taken with an increment borer were measured in 20-year periods. The curves of radial distribution of heavy metals in growth rings are highly variable, but usually a greater variation was observed in sapwood than in heartwood. This attests to transport of metals in the younger, functional xylem, and confirms earlier observations. Quercus petraea accumulated significantly more Zn but less Cd than Q. robur, while concentrations of other metals were similar in both species. No significant correlations between levels of different metals in oak wood were detected, except a strong correlation between Pb and Cd. Concentrations of heavy metals in oak wood were generally not correlated with their concentrations in the soil. Most of the forest stands can be regarded as free from pollution with heavy metals.