Relationship between the geochemistry of soils and the geological basementin the Lower Silesian Coal Basin, SW Poland

The Lower Silesian Coal Basin (Walbrzych Coal Basin), the Sudetes, is one o f the most industrialized regions of Poland. Data on the degree and extent of soil pollution within the town and its environs is now the basis for env ironmental programs related to agriculture, forestry, public health, as wel l as administration and land development. Some 200 km(2) were covered by th e present study with a sample density of 4/km(2), and Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, C a, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sr, Ti, V, Y and Zn were m easured. Surficial geochemical variations in this area are governed by both geological and anthropogenic factors. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.