This study was performed to test the hypothesis that tree species significantly affects mercury (... more This study was performed to test the hypothesis that tree species significantly affects mercury (Hg) sequestration in forest soils. We analyzed the effect of seven dominant tree species (Scots pine, black alder, Norway spruce, silver birch, deciduous oak, silver fir, and European beech on the concentrations and pools of Hg in a range of forest soils in Poland. We set up 277 sample plots representing dominant tree species in Poland. Soil samples were taken and analyzed for total Hg content, soil texture, and soil C and nitrogen (N) content. Concentrations of total Hg in forest soil (organic and mineral horizons) varied by several orders of magnitude as a result of natural variations in organic matter, sand content, and altitude. Spatial analysis revealed that maximum concentrations (mg kg) and stocks (mg m) of Hg were related to mountain stands at higher elevations with loamy soils and greater accumulation of soil organic matter. The stocks of Hg in the investigated soil profiles increased in the order of: pine (12 mg m) ≈ birch (15 mg m) < oak (21 mg m) ≈ alder (24 mg m) < beech (45 mg m) ≈ spruce (50 mg m) < fir (66 mg m). Simple analysis of variance suggested an important effect of dominant tree species on Hg concentrations and stocks in entire soil profiles, but multiple regression analysis showed that dominant tree species had a significant effect on accumulation of Hg in soil, but only in the organic horizon; in mineral soil the Hg was content was related to C content, soil texture and altitude. The organic horizon had greater accumulation of Hg under coniferous tree species (Scots pine, silver fir and Norway spruce) and European beech when compared with deciduous oak, black alder, and silver birch.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
This work evaluates current mercury (Hg) contamination in Poland, represented by the Hg concentra... more This work evaluates current mercury (Hg) contamination in Poland, represented by the Hg concentrations in Scots pine foliage. Samples were collected over 295 investigation plots in monitoring grids throughout Poland, from pines aged between 12 and 147 years. Analyses were conducted with consideration of bioclimatic factors and soil properties. Concentrations in the pine foliage did not exceed the values characteristic of an ecosystem unaffected by industrial pollution, ranging from 0.0032 to 0.0252 mg kg−1 dry mass. However, pine stands located in western and central Poland, and in the northwest near the Baltic Sea, exhibited higher Hg concentrations in foliage than in eastern regions. Hg content in foliage depends on the mean temperature of the driest quarter, as well as on Hg content in soils. This indicates that the periods of drought observed in recent years in Poland may affect Hg concentrations in pine foliage.
Presented investigations focused on spatial variability of forest soil pH on an example of luviso... more Presented investigations focused on spatial variability of forest soil pH on an example of luvisols derived from loess with underlier of marlstones. Four study plots were located in different parts of the slope. Marlstones, present deeper than 1 m under loess layer, had most significant influence on spatial variability of topsoil pH. Despite relatively thick separation from the surface, the marlstone layer altered topsoil via upward water movement (influence distributed evenly) or throughout exposed deeper soil layers as an effect of uprooting (specific island-mosaic of pH). Analysis of spatial variability of soil pH emphasize such phenomena as zero distance variability that reached up to 20% of sill, and 2-4 meters of autocorrelation distances. Thus, there is a need of extended soil sampling to cover both: nugget effect and autocorrelation.
On 127 experimental plots were classified into different forest site types according to vegetatio... more On 127 experimental plots were classified into different forest site types according to vegetational criteria, 16 main soil properties were analysed and their content in a 100 x 100 x 150 cm soil lump was calculated. The expert system and the linear discriminant analysis showed different soil properties and their groups enabling stronger or weaker division of the examined sites into forest site types. The content of 0.1-0.02 mm fraction, the content of <0.02 mm fraction, the concentration of H+ ions as pH reaction in H2O and the content of mobile N were pointed to as those which better distinguish coniferous forest (13) from mixed coniferous forest (BM), mixed coniferous forest from mixed broadleaved forest (LM) and mixed broadleaved forest from broadleaved forest (L). The other soil properties in the expert system showed a weaker strength in differentiating the examined sites into different forest site types according to vegetational criteria.
Research considered spatial variability of pH of top (5 cm) horizons of forest soils under the Sc... more Research considered spatial variability of pH of top (5 cm) horizons of forest soils under the Scots pine stands. Increase in pH variability reveals already in very small scale, and growth in number of samples does not decrease the coefficient of variation remarkably. Variability of pH in such a small spatial scale is probably the result of various content of organic matter that is the main source of cation exchange capacity as well as alkaline and acid cations. Relationship between exchangeable alkaline and acid cations is the main control of soil pH. Alkaline character of aluminium cations was not confirmed.
Presented research aimed to analyse hypothesis about formation of pH depression around trees as w... more Presented research aimed to analyse hypothesis about formation of pH depression around trees as well as to determine dimensions of such a depression and intensity of acidification. Abundance of pH depression was observed for three analysed species: spruce, pine and beech. Range of depression usually equaled about 1 m, and the acidification intensity was 0.2-0.3 pH unit.
The focus of the research was on changes in soil physicochemical properties after establishing pu... more The focus of the research was on changes in soil physicochemical properties after establishing pure spruce stands in multi-species forest habitats in the lower montane zone in Beskid Zachodni. It was pointed out that the effect of spruce monocultures on soil resulted in an increased accumulation of organic matter in the 01 and Ofh horizons, lowering of the humus content in the mineral horizon, lowering of the sorption complex saturation with bases. The impact of a pure spruce stand was highest in the top horizons (01, Ofh), lower-in the humus horizons A and AB. The pure spruce stands had practically no effect on deeper soil horizons.
The aim of the study was to determine the effect of topography and parent rock as well as selecte... more The aim of the study was to determine the effect of topography and parent rock as well as selected characteristics of the soils on the site productivity for European beech in the Beskid Żywiecki Mountains (S Poland). The research material consisted of measurements performed on sample plots ranging in size from 0.01 to 0.10 ha located in 50 beech stands aged 40−140 years. Productivity of beech stands was to the greatest extent determined by the elevation above sea level. The site index of beech stands is significantly affected by the type of geological substrate, whereas there was no relationship between productivity and analyzed soil characteristics.
The Science of the total environment, Jan 28, 2015
In this study we investigated the effect of fine (ϕ<0.05mm) fraction, i.e., silt+clay (FF) con... more In this study we investigated the effect of fine (ϕ<0.05mm) fraction, i.e., silt+clay (FF) content in soils, site moisture, metal (Al and Fe) of soil organic matter (SOM) and forest species composition on the spatial distribution of carbon (C) pools in forest soils at the landscape scale. We established 275 plots in regular 200×200m grid in a forested area of 14.4km(2). Fieldwork included soil sampling of the organic horizon, mineral topsoil and subsoil down to 40cm deep. We analysed the vertical and horizontal distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, as well as the quantity of physically separated fractions including the free light (fLF), occluded light (oLF) and mineral associated fractions (MAF) in the mineral topsoil (A, AE) horizons. Distribution of C in soils was predominantly affected by the variation in the FF content. In soils richer in the FF more SOC was accumulated in mineral horizons and less in the organic horizons. Accumulation of SOC in mineral soil was a...
Dead trees decaying in the forest ecosystem (called also CWD–coarse woody debris) fulfil a variet... more Dead trees decaying in the forest ecosystem (called also CWD–coarse woody debris) fulfil a variety of beneficial functions like promoting the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi or enrichment of soil by supplying nitrogen and other nutrients. In specific conditions, ...
ABSTRACT Previous studies suggest that the solubility of Al in acid forest soils may be expressed... more ABSTRACT Previous studies suggest that the solubility of Al in acid forest soils may be expressed as the log Al3+ activity = -n pH + log KH-Al + log Al-p/C-p concentration ratio, with Al-p and C-p representing pyrophosphate-extractacble Al and C, respectively, and KH-Al is the binding constant of Al to protonated complexation sites on soil organic matter (SOM). We show that a slightly modified model, in which Al-p is replaced by Al-org (= Al-p - KCl-extractable Al), successfully describes the concentration of Al in A and B horizons of a wide range of acid forest soils (Typic Dystochrepts) developed in different parent materials from a large number of spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] and mixed forest stands in southern Poland. Analysis of the data suggests a reaction stoichiometry of n = 1.27 and log KH-Al = 1.98 with R-2 = 0.76. Furthermore, statistical analysis of a large set of published data, in addition to our own data from the Polish soils, indicates that log[Al-org /C-p] is significantly correlated with soil pH measured in 1 mol L-1 KCl (pH(KCl)) suggesting that the Al binding to SOM is less at small pH(KCl) due to increased competition with H+: log[Al-org/C-p] = 0.82 pH(KCl) - 4.16 (R-2 = 0.77, n = 276). Combining the two equations gives a simple I solubility model for mineral horizons in acid forest soils: log Al = -1.27pH + 0.82pH(KCl) - 2.18 (R-2 = 0.82, n = 127). In this equation, pH(KCl) relates to chemical soil properties, whereas the pH of soil water also depends on solution characteristics like ionic strength. The equation may be applied to acid forest soils having a soil solution pH in the range of 3.0 to 4.2. Such conditions are rather common in surface horizons (A, E, and upper B) of acid forest soils of the temperate and boreal zones.
This study was performed to test the hypothesis that tree species significantly affects mercury (... more This study was performed to test the hypothesis that tree species significantly affects mercury (Hg) sequestration in forest soils. We analyzed the effect of seven dominant tree species (Scots pine, black alder, Norway spruce, silver birch, deciduous oak, silver fir, and European beech on the concentrations and pools of Hg in a range of forest soils in Poland. We set up 277 sample plots representing dominant tree species in Poland. Soil samples were taken and analyzed for total Hg content, soil texture, and soil C and nitrogen (N) content. Concentrations of total Hg in forest soil (organic and mineral horizons) varied by several orders of magnitude as a result of natural variations in organic matter, sand content, and altitude. Spatial analysis revealed that maximum concentrations (mg kg) and stocks (mg m) of Hg were related to mountain stands at higher elevations with loamy soils and greater accumulation of soil organic matter. The stocks of Hg in the investigated soil profiles increased in the order of: pine (12 mg m) ≈ birch (15 mg m) &amp;amp;lt; oak (21 mg m) ≈ alder (24 mg m) &amp;amp;lt; beech (45 mg m) ≈ spruce (50 mg m) &amp;amp;lt; fir (66 mg m). Simple analysis of variance suggested an important effect of dominant tree species on Hg concentrations and stocks in entire soil profiles, but multiple regression analysis showed that dominant tree species had a significant effect on accumulation of Hg in soil, but only in the organic horizon; in mineral soil the Hg was content was related to C content, soil texture and altitude. The organic horizon had greater accumulation of Hg under coniferous tree species (Scots pine, silver fir and Norway spruce) and European beech when compared with deciduous oak, black alder, and silver birch.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
This work evaluates current mercury (Hg) contamination in Poland, represented by the Hg concentra... more This work evaluates current mercury (Hg) contamination in Poland, represented by the Hg concentrations in Scots pine foliage. Samples were collected over 295 investigation plots in monitoring grids throughout Poland, from pines aged between 12 and 147 years. Analyses were conducted with consideration of bioclimatic factors and soil properties. Concentrations in the pine foliage did not exceed the values characteristic of an ecosystem unaffected by industrial pollution, ranging from 0.0032 to 0.0252 mg kg−1 dry mass. However, pine stands located in western and central Poland, and in the northwest near the Baltic Sea, exhibited higher Hg concentrations in foliage than in eastern regions. Hg content in foliage depends on the mean temperature of the driest quarter, as well as on Hg content in soils. This indicates that the periods of drought observed in recent years in Poland may affect Hg concentrations in pine foliage.
Presented investigations focused on spatial variability of forest soil pH on an example of luviso... more Presented investigations focused on spatial variability of forest soil pH on an example of luvisols derived from loess with underlier of marlstones. Four study plots were located in different parts of the slope. Marlstones, present deeper than 1 m under loess layer, had most significant influence on spatial variability of topsoil pH. Despite relatively thick separation from the surface, the marlstone layer altered topsoil via upward water movement (influence distributed evenly) or throughout exposed deeper soil layers as an effect of uprooting (specific island-mosaic of pH). Analysis of spatial variability of soil pH emphasize such phenomena as zero distance variability that reached up to 20% of sill, and 2-4 meters of autocorrelation distances. Thus, there is a need of extended soil sampling to cover both: nugget effect and autocorrelation.
On 127 experimental plots were classified into different forest site types according to vegetatio... more On 127 experimental plots were classified into different forest site types according to vegetational criteria, 16 main soil properties were analysed and their content in a 100 x 100 x 150 cm soil lump was calculated. The expert system and the linear discriminant analysis showed different soil properties and their groups enabling stronger or weaker division of the examined sites into forest site types. The content of 0.1-0.02 mm fraction, the content of <0.02 mm fraction, the concentration of H+ ions as pH reaction in H2O and the content of mobile N were pointed to as those which better distinguish coniferous forest (13) from mixed coniferous forest (BM), mixed coniferous forest from mixed broadleaved forest (LM) and mixed broadleaved forest from broadleaved forest (L). The other soil properties in the expert system showed a weaker strength in differentiating the examined sites into different forest site types according to vegetational criteria.
Research considered spatial variability of pH of top (5 cm) horizons of forest soils under the Sc... more Research considered spatial variability of pH of top (5 cm) horizons of forest soils under the Scots pine stands. Increase in pH variability reveals already in very small scale, and growth in number of samples does not decrease the coefficient of variation remarkably. Variability of pH in such a small spatial scale is probably the result of various content of organic matter that is the main source of cation exchange capacity as well as alkaline and acid cations. Relationship between exchangeable alkaline and acid cations is the main control of soil pH. Alkaline character of aluminium cations was not confirmed.
Presented research aimed to analyse hypothesis about formation of pH depression around trees as w... more Presented research aimed to analyse hypothesis about formation of pH depression around trees as well as to determine dimensions of such a depression and intensity of acidification. Abundance of pH depression was observed for three analysed species: spruce, pine and beech. Range of depression usually equaled about 1 m, and the acidification intensity was 0.2-0.3 pH unit.
The focus of the research was on changes in soil physicochemical properties after establishing pu... more The focus of the research was on changes in soil physicochemical properties after establishing pure spruce stands in multi-species forest habitats in the lower montane zone in Beskid Zachodni. It was pointed out that the effect of spruce monocultures on soil resulted in an increased accumulation of organic matter in the 01 and Ofh horizons, lowering of the humus content in the mineral horizon, lowering of the sorption complex saturation with bases. The impact of a pure spruce stand was highest in the top horizons (01, Ofh), lower-in the humus horizons A and AB. The pure spruce stands had practically no effect on deeper soil horizons.
The aim of the study was to determine the effect of topography and parent rock as well as selecte... more The aim of the study was to determine the effect of topography and parent rock as well as selected characteristics of the soils on the site productivity for European beech in the Beskid Żywiecki Mountains (S Poland). The research material consisted of measurements performed on sample plots ranging in size from 0.01 to 0.10 ha located in 50 beech stands aged 40−140 years. Productivity of beech stands was to the greatest extent determined by the elevation above sea level. The site index of beech stands is significantly affected by the type of geological substrate, whereas there was no relationship between productivity and analyzed soil characteristics.
The Science of the total environment, Jan 28, 2015
In this study we investigated the effect of fine (ϕ<0.05mm) fraction, i.e., silt+clay (FF) con... more In this study we investigated the effect of fine (ϕ<0.05mm) fraction, i.e., silt+clay (FF) content in soils, site moisture, metal (Al and Fe) of soil organic matter (SOM) and forest species composition on the spatial distribution of carbon (C) pools in forest soils at the landscape scale. We established 275 plots in regular 200×200m grid in a forested area of 14.4km(2). Fieldwork included soil sampling of the organic horizon, mineral topsoil and subsoil down to 40cm deep. We analysed the vertical and horizontal distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, as well as the quantity of physically separated fractions including the free light (fLF), occluded light (oLF) and mineral associated fractions (MAF) in the mineral topsoil (A, AE) horizons. Distribution of C in soils was predominantly affected by the variation in the FF content. In soils richer in the FF more SOC was accumulated in mineral horizons and less in the organic horizons. Accumulation of SOC in mineral soil was a...
Dead trees decaying in the forest ecosystem (called also CWD–coarse woody debris) fulfil a variet... more Dead trees decaying in the forest ecosystem (called also CWD–coarse woody debris) fulfil a variety of beneficial functions like promoting the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi or enrichment of soil by supplying nitrogen and other nutrients. In specific conditions, ...
ABSTRACT Previous studies suggest that the solubility of Al in acid forest soils may be expressed... more ABSTRACT Previous studies suggest that the solubility of Al in acid forest soils may be expressed as the log Al3+ activity = -n pH + log KH-Al + log Al-p/C-p concentration ratio, with Al-p and C-p representing pyrophosphate-extractacble Al and C, respectively, and KH-Al is the binding constant of Al to protonated complexation sites on soil organic matter (SOM). We show that a slightly modified model, in which Al-p is replaced by Al-org (= Al-p - KCl-extractable Al), successfully describes the concentration of Al in A and B horizons of a wide range of acid forest soils (Typic Dystochrepts) developed in different parent materials from a large number of spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] and mixed forest stands in southern Poland. Analysis of the data suggests a reaction stoichiometry of n = 1.27 and log KH-Al = 1.98 with R-2 = 0.76. Furthermore, statistical analysis of a large set of published data, in addition to our own data from the Polish soils, indicates that log[Al-org /C-p] is significantly correlated with soil pH measured in 1 mol L-1 KCl (pH(KCl)) suggesting that the Al binding to SOM is less at small pH(KCl) due to increased competition with H+: log[Al-org/C-p] = 0.82 pH(KCl) - 4.16 (R-2 = 0.77, n = 276). Combining the two equations gives a simple I solubility model for mineral horizons in acid forest soils: log Al = -1.27pH + 0.82pH(KCl) - 2.18 (R-2 = 0.82, n = 127). In this equation, pH(KCl) relates to chemical soil properties, whereas the pH of soil water also depends on solution characteristics like ionic strength. The equation may be applied to acid forest soils having a soil solution pH in the range of 3.0 to 4.2. Such conditions are rather common in surface horizons (A, E, and upper B) of acid forest soils of the temperate and boreal zones.
Uploads