Heavy metals in the slope deposits of loess areas of the Lublin Upland (E Poland)

The concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) has been analyzed in Holocene slope deposits of the loess agricultural area in the Eastern Poland. Five profiles were examined. In general, low concentrations of the examined metals were determined, on average 50% of the samples exceeded the designated regional, geochemical background. The average concentrations were: cadmium < 0.5 ppm, copper up to 15, and lead up to 20 and zinc up to 70 ppm, showing a vertical diversity in the profile. Higher heavy metal concentrations in Holocene deposits are related to soil formation or accumulation of organic matter. The direct influence of human factors was most visible in recent deposits. It includes the modification of the development conditions of soil-forming processes as well as the influence on the character of the colluvial deposits. Taking into account the 14C datings as well as the archeological and historical data the age and rate of sedimentation of deposits have been calculated. The average rate of the colluvia deposition varied from 1.3 to 7.3 mm/year depending on their age and the character of sedimentation.