THE CONTENT OF MERCURY IN ARABLE SOILS CONSIDERING PEDOGENIC, LITHOGENIC AND ANTHROPOGENIC FACTORS

摘要

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the parent material and typical soil properties such as texture, organic carbon content or iron oxides content on total content of mercury. In addition to that, the research treats profile distribution of mercury in varied soil types as well as classification of contamination level of soils from Po-tudniowobattyckie Lake District (Poland).rnThe analysis in this research was conducted on 8 selected soil profiles which represent the main soil types found in the investigated area.rnThe total content of mercury in the analyzed soils was very varied and ranged between 3.7-1438 μg·kg~(-1). The highest Hg concentration was determined in surface (organic matter accumulation) horizons and clay accumulation horizons. This profile distribution of mercury was the result of a specific composition of parent material, and typological properties of these soils.rnHigher concentration of mercury in surface horizons than in parent material indicates significant participation of anthropogenic mercury in the total content of this element.rnAll analyzed soils were classified as non-contaminated by mercury (total Hg content below 2 mg·kg~(-1)).