Effect of the Degree of Soil Contamination with Heavy Metals on Their Mobility in the Soil Profile in a Microplot Experiment

Adjusting Polish law to EU standards, many studies were started in the 1990s on harmfulness of presumably contaminating elements (PCE) environment and quality plants intended produced for food purposes. For this reason, 1987, a unique microplate experiment was established natural soils artificially contaminated with copper, zinc, lead cadmium oxides (up pollution level class I, II III). The diversified terms pH (through liming), organic matter content addition brown coal) grain size composition humus (Ap) (strong clay sand light silt clay). After 14 years from introduction different rates metals into top layer (0–30 cm) two studied, relatively large movement heavy soil profile occurred. amount leached depended mainly rate given element. more was, heavier that lower genetic levels soil. Contaminated always had higher concentration individual Et than Bt level. tested determined HCl (1 mol·dm?3) compared Only at depth below 50 cm (Bt), studied metals’ forms much surface levels. calculated mobility coefficients 1 M indicate larger lighter medium soils. highest displacement obtained cadmium, while lowest lead. An increase alongside an contamination studied. By analyzing (heavy metal layers), they can be ranked following decreasing sequence: soils: Cd > Cu Zn Pb Cu.