Pedogeochemical mapping of potentially toxic elements

摘要

The collection of papers presented in this Special Issue is mainly an outgrowth of the Session SSS32 "Pedogeochemical mapping of potentially toxic elements" of the International Conference held in Wien (Austria) in April 2009, on behalf of the European Geosciences Union. Soils are essential components of the environment, the basis of terrestrial ecosystems, and a crossroads for biochemical cycles at the biosphere-lithosphere interface. Therefore, soil quality must be preserved. The concentration and spatial distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTE), depend on parent material, climate, topography, soil type, and soil use. The anthropogenic mismanagement of industrial and mining resources or the abusive use of agrochemicals could alter the normal levels of PTE in soils, causing contamination, environmental troubles and health concerns. Sustainable development is dependent upon a pedogeochemical mapping conducted at widely varying scales. The resulting maps are useful for land use and environmental regulatory policies.