Heavy metals and macronutrients transfer from soil to Pinus sylvestris L.

Abstract

Forest soil near pollution sources receives large amounts of heavy metals because of rapid urbanization and industrialization. Heavy metals from soils are easily accumulated on trees. The transfer factors of heavy metals of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) and macronutrients potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) were determined from soil to tree (Pinus sylvestris L.) in contaminated and control sites. The differences among transfer factors for both sites were discussed. The higher transfer value of heavy metals and macro-elements to wood was associated with higher element concentration in the soil and the uptake of an element by a tree which is primarily dependent on the tree species, its inherent controls, and the soil quality.