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Application of large amounts of NaCl to control slippery roads in winter leads to soil salinity and consequently to ionic imbalances, changes in pH, changes in physicochemical properties of the soil and the death of roadside trees. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of salt stress on the content of microelements in the leaves of roadside trees and on the health trees. The subject of research were trees of the Crimean linden (Tilia ‘Euchlora’) growing in the median strip of one of the main streets in Warsaw. The roadside trees contained much higher amounts of Cl and Na than trees in a park (control). There was a significant correlation between the Cl and Na content in leaves of the trees and their health state. As the content of these elements increased, the health condition of leaves clearly deteriorated. There was no significant effect of soil salinity on the micronutrient content in leaves. The content of Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn in linden tree leaves were on levels considered normal, with values not indicative of any deficiency or toxicity. The presence of Fe and Zn in leaves had no significant effect on the health of leaves of the trees. A statistically significant negative relationship was found between the index of leaf damage and their content of Cu and Mn. This means that a higher degree of leaf damage corresponded to a lower content of Cu and Mn. Based on regression analysis, it was estimated an increase in the Cl content in soil solution by approximately 1000 mg dm -3 caused an average 0.2% increase in the Cl content in leaves.

The numerical speciation analysis relies on quantitative assessment of concentrations of different forms of an element in soil solution (free ions, complex ions, neutral complexes), which have different abilities to react (ion activity). The reactivity affects the element’s mobility and bioavailability. This method can be employed to estimate potential bioavailability and toxicity of a given element. This study was undertaken to evaluaate effects of selected soil properties on changes in the total concentration of copper (Cu) and percentages of particular forms of this element in soil solution. The study was based on a microplot experiment. The investigated factors were the soil texture, pH, organic carbon content and degree of soil copper contamination. Soil solutions were obtained with the vacuum displacement method. The concentration of copper in soil solution was determined with the ICP method, and the percentages of particular copper forms in the total copper concentration were calculated with the MINTEQA 2 software. It was found that copper in the analysed soil solutions occurred mainly in the form of metalorganic complexes. The increasing soil acidity was correlated with an increased percentage of free copper ions and copper complexes with organic matter. Simultaneously, the share of bonds with carbonates, sulfates and hydroxyl groups decreased. A decrease in the percentage of Cu 2+ free ions in the soil solution was observed in response to an increasing organic carbon content, while the percentage of copper complexes with organic matter rose. The degree of soil copper contamination and soil texture had no influence on the percentages of different copper forms in the soil solution.

The study was carried out to asses the influence of soil mineral fertilization, manure application and soil liming on changes in the concentration of microelements (B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) in soil solution. The tests were performed on samples of sandy soil collected from long-term fertilization experiments being conducted on lessive soil of the granulometric structure of clayish sand. Soil solution was prepared with the suction method. The concentration of microelements in soil solution was determined by means of the ICP method. The results showed an increase in Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu and a decrease in B and Mo in soil solution when soil was fertilized with nitrogen. The concentration of microelements in soil solution was not significantly influenced when soil was fertilized with phosphorous and potassium. Liming had a significant effect on a decrease in the concentration of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu and an increase in B and Mo in soil solution. Soil application of manure significantly increased the concentration of microelements in soil solution.