C. Uhlig et al., Element distribution in Empetrum nigrum microsites at heavy metal contaminated sites in Harjavalta, western Finland, ENVIR POLLU, 112(3), 2001, pp. 435-442
Small-scale element distribution in soil-plant-systems in patches of Empetr
um nigrum (microsites) at heavy metal contaminated sites located 0.5 and 4
km from the copper-nickel smelter at Harjavalta was investigated. The Cu co
ncentrations of E. nigrum varied between 12 and 2300 mg/kg dw and showed in
creasing accumulation with increasing tissue age. Stems contained more Cu t
han leaves of the same age. The distribution pattern of Ni and Pb in the ab
ove-ground biomass followed that of Cu. Roots contained relatively low conc
entrations of all airborne heavy metals. In the soil: the highest concentra
tions of total Cu occurred in the humus (Oh) layer: on average 49,450 mg/kg
dw at 0.5 km distance and 12,025 mg/kg dw at 4.0 km. Despite the extremely
high Cu concentrations in the topsoil, the concentrations in the mineral s
oil below a depth of 10 cm did not exceed 2.5 mg/kg dw at any site. (C) 200
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