BACKGROUND LEVELS OF HEAVY-METALS IN POLISH FOREST SOILS

To determine the levels and regional distribution of heavy metals in P olish forest soils not influenced by large local emitters, concentrati ons of lead, zinc, cadmium, and nickel were measured in samples taken from the organic and mineral soil horizons at 14 locations in Poland. There was a distinct gradient in heavy metal concentrations going from north to south or south-west in Poland. In the organic horizon the ma ximum concentrations were found south of Kracow. Heavy metal levels fr om this area exceeded those observed in southernmost Norway by 10-20%, but otherwise the heavy metal concentrations in the Polish forest soi ls were lower than or comparable to those found in southernmost Norway . A separate study was carried out for soils near an iron smelter. Hea vy metal concentrations in the topsoil were somewhat elevated compared to the other sites, but no clear correlation was found between the co ncentrations in the soil and the distance from the smelter.