Pedological characterisation of sites along a transect from a primary cadmium/lead/zinc smelting works.
A pedological characterisation of seven sites along a transect from a smelter at Avonmouth, UK, was undertaken. Site locations comprised a mixture of both grassland (5 sites) and oak tree dominated (2 sites) areas. Geographically, sites were either low lying or on adjacent elevated ground. Across the transect, a severe gradient of metal concentrations was found with highest values for organic soil horizons from close to the factory. Comparisons with quality standards indicate that these metal levels are likely to be a major ecological stressor. In addition to the strong metal gradient, a number of other between site differences were also observed. These were firstly water regime, which at the low lying sites close to the smelter showed influence by both, groundwater and stagnant water, while at more distant sites indicated susceptibility to stagnant water only, and secondly soil pH, which showed large between site variations, although no consistent trend along the transect. Humus forms at sites more than 1.5 km from the smelter were characteristic for the soil conditions and land-use present, while those at sites within 1.5 km showed disturbed profiles. Indeed, the humus types present at these locations suggest that the activity of soil invertebrates may be inhibited. This is almost certainly due primarily to the high concentrations of metals that were present in mineral soil and organic horizons at the sites. However, the potential influences of water regime and pH could also be relevant factors influencing the results of any further studies conducted at these study sites.
Filzek
Petra D B
PD
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Monks Wood, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28 2LS, UK.
Spurgeon
David J
DJ
Broll
Gabriele
G
Svendsen
Claus
C
Hankard
Peter K
PK
Kammenga
Jan E
JE
Donker
Marianne H
MH
Weeks
Jason M
JM
D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis; D004739:England; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis
D007220:Industrial Waste; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D015032:Zinc
Oecologia. 1979 Jan;39(1):51-60
28309377
Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 1999 Oct;37(3):332-337
10473789
Oecologia. 1976 Dec;23 (4):315-322
28308969
Environ Pollut. 1988;54(2):123-38
15092529
Rev Environ Contam Toxicol. 2000;164:93-147
12587835
Environ Pollut. 1998;99(2):215-23
15093314
Ecotoxicology. 1994 Mar;3(1):68-78
24201867
Environ Pollut. 1994;84(2):123-30
15091707
Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 1985 Feb;34(2):183-7
3978257
Ecotoxicology. 1995 Jun;4(3):190-205
24197704
Environ Pollut. 1987;48(1):61-76
15092699