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 ofEmpetrum nigrum (microsites) at heavy metal contaminated sites located 0.5 and 4 km from the copper/nickel smelter at Harjavalta was investigated. The Cu concentrations of E. nigrum varied between 12 and 2300 mg/kg dw and showed increasing accumulation with increasing tissueage. Stems contained more Cu than leaves of the same age. The distribution pattern of Ni and Pb in the above-ground biomass followed thatof Cu. Roots contained relatively low concentrations of all airborneheavy metals. In the soil, the highest concentrations 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 Cuconcentrations in the topsoil, the concentrations in the mineral soil below a depth of 10 cm did not exceed 2.5 mg/kg dw at any site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]