Geographical and pedological drivers of distribution and risks to soil fauna of seven metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) in British soils.
Concentrations of seven metals were measured in over 1000 samples as part of an integrated survey. Sixteen metal pairs were significantly positively correlated. Cluster analysis identified two clusters. Metals from the largest (Cr, Cu, Ni, V, Zn), but not the smallest (Cd, Pb) cluster were significantly negatively correlated with spatial location and soil pH and organic matter content. Cd and Pb were not correlated with these parameters, due possibly to the masking effect of recent extensive release. Analysis of trends with soil properties in different habitats indicated that general trends may not necessarily be applicable to all areas. A risk assessment indicated that Zn poses the most widespread direct risk to soil fauna and Cd the least. Any risks associated with high metal concentrations are, however, likely to be greatest in habitats such as arable and horticultural, improved grassland and built up areas where soil metal concentrations are more frequently elevated.
Spurgeon
David J
DJ
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Monks Wood, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28 2LS, UK. dasp@ceh.ac.uk
Rowland
Philip
P
Ainsworth
Gillian
G
Rothery
Peter
P
Long
Sara
S
Black
Helaina I J
HI
D000383:Agriculture; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis; D002857:Chromium / Q000032:analysis; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation; D005843:Geography; D006812:Humic Substances / Q000032:analysis; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007220:Industrial Waste; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D009532:Nickel / Q000032:analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D006113:United Kingdom; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis
D006812:Humic Substances; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008670:Metals; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium; D002857:Chromium; D007854:Lead; D003300:Copper; D009532:Nickel; D015032:Zinc