Nitric-acid soluble fractions of 21 elements in Norwegian podzols: Factors affecting regional differences in vertical distribution

Distributions of 21 major and trace elements in HNO3 extracts of different horizons were studied in 13 podzol profiles from the boreal forest in different parts of Norway using ICP–MS. On the basis of ratios between the HNO3-extractable fractions in the various horizons some general trends were elucidated. Two different groups of elements concentrated in the humus layer relative to the mineral horizons were identified, one mainly associated with contributions from air pollution (As, Cd, Sb, Pb), another one with plant nutrient circulation (K, Ca, Mn and to a lesser extent Mg, Co, Ni, Rb) and some with both mechanisms (Cu, Zn, Tl). The elements most clearly enriched along with Fe in the B horizon were V, Pb, Al, and Cr in that order, Pb partly because of leaching from the polluted organic surface soil. Four soils in the far south showed a behaviour distinctly different from the rest and were treated as a separate group. Relative to the more northerly sites the surface horizons of these soils were strongly depleted in lithogenic elements (Mg, Al, K, Ca, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, La) and enriched in elements typical of long-range transport of pollutants (As, Cd, Sb, Tl, Pb). Also the B horizon in the southern soils was strongly depleted in the lithogenic group elements, including Fe and the associated metals. The main reason for this difference is assumed to be the greater influence of transboundary air pollution and associated metals and stronger soil acidification in the far south of the country.