The effect of liming and correction fertilisation on heavy metal and macronutrient concentrations in soil solution in heavy-metal polluted Scots pinestands

Two experiments were established in 1992 in Scots pine stands (Pinus sylves tris L.) on relatively infertile sites at distances of 0.5 and 8 km to the SE of the Cu-Ni smelter at Harjavalta, SW Finland, in order to investigate the effects of liming, correction fertiliser and site-specific fertiliser t reatments on heavy metal and nutrient concentrations in the soil solution. Liming decreased soil solution acidity at 8 km, but increased it at 0.5 km. At 8 km liming brought about a long-term increase in the Ca and Rig concen trations, and correction fertilisation a corresponding long-term increase i n the K concentrations. The situation at 0.5 km was the opposite; despite t he increase immediately after application, there was a long-term reduction in the Ca concentrations as a result of the liming, and correction and stan d-specific fertilisation. At 0.5 km all the treatments containing varying d oses of limestone clearly decreased the Cu, Ni and Zn concentrations in soi l solution during 1993-1995 compared to the control. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scie nce Ltd.. All rights reserved.