Element distribution in Empetrum nigrum microsites at heavy metal contaminated sites in Harjavalta, western Finland

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 1 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.