The content of heavy metals and arsenic in post-agrogenic soils of various climatic zones in Russia

The level of contamination by heavy metals and arsenic (As) was estimated in postagrogenic Retisols, Phaeozems, and Chernozems, belonging to different bioclimatic zones of European Russia. Each chronosequense included arable soil, abandoned soils of different age of restoration and native (forest or steppe) cenosis. The content of organic carbon, total nitrogen, pH value, total amount of heavy metals (Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Co), and As were measured in mixed soil samples collected in the former arable horizon. All post-agrogenic soils characterized by high content of Mn, Cu, Cd, and As. It has been revealed that the leading factors caused the accumulation of heavy metals were initial soil properties (C content, pH, etc.) while the effect of land use and management was weak. The danger of soil contamination with heavy metals and As reduced from north to south in the following order: Retisols> Luvic Phaeozems> Haplic Phaeozems> Chernozem. © SGEM2019 All Rights Reserved.