Distribution and migration of heavy metals in undisturbed forest soils: A high resolution sampling method

摘要

The vertical distribution and migration of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in two forest soil profiles near an industrial emission source were investigated using a high resolution sampling method together with reference element Ti. One-meter soil profile was sectioned horizontally at 2 cm intervals in the first 40 cm, 5 cm intervals in the next 40 cm, and 10 cm intervals in the last 20 cm. The migration distance and rate of heavy metals in the soil profiles were calculated according to their relative concentrations in the profiles, as calibrated by the reference element Ti. The enrichment of heavy metals appeared in the uppermost layer of the forest soil, and the soil heavy metal concentrations decreased down the profile until reaching their background values. The calculated average migration rates of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were 0.70, 0.33, 0.37, and 0.76 cm year, respectively, which were comparable to other methods. A simulation model was proposed, which could well describe the distribution of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in natural forest soils.