Element distribution in Empetrum nigrum microsites at heavy metal contaminated sites in Harjavalta, western Finland.
Small-scale element distribution in soil-plant-systems in patches of Empetrum nigrum (microsites) at heavy metal contaminated sites located 0.5 and 4 km from the copper-nickel smelter at Harjavalta was investigated. The Cu concentrations of E. nigrum varied between 12 and 2300 mg/kg dw and showed increasing accumulation with increasing tissue age. Stems contained more Cu than leaves of the same age. The distribution pattern of Ni and Pb in the above-ground biomass followed that of Cu. Roots contained relatively low concentrations of all airborne heavy metals. In the soil, the highest concentrations of total Cu occurred in the humus (Oh) layer: on average 49,450 mg/kg dw at 0.5 km distance and 12,025 mg/kg dw at 4.0 km. Despite the extremely high Cu concentrations in the topsoil, the concentrations in the mineral soil below a depth of 10 cm did not exceed 2.5 mg/kg dw at any site.
Uhlig
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C
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway. christian.uhlig@planteforsk.no
Salemaa
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M
Vanha-Majamaa
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I
Derome
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J
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D005387:Finland; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D009532:Nickel / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D063245:Plant Development; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D000393:Air Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D007854:Lead; D003300:Copper; D009532:Nickel