Availability of some trace elements (Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn) in relation to the properties of pasture soils in Stara Planina mountain

Abstract

The research presented in this paper was aimed at better understanding of the relationship between soil properties and the availability of trace elements in pasture soils. The research was conducted in several localities of Stara Planina mountain (Babin zub, Javor I, Javor II and Prelesje), where the dominant soil type is acid humus siliceous soil (Dystric leptosol) characterized by the presence of the Agrostietumvulgaris (capillaris) community Z. Pavl., 1955. In all localities the soil sampling was performed at fixed depths of 0-5, 5-10, 10 -20 and 20 - 40 cm. The pseudo-total contents of trace elements (Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn) (extracted with aqua regia solution), as well as the available contents (extracted with the DTPA chelating agent) in the soil were measured by AAS. The pseudo- total content of trace elements in the soil studied are lower or within the limits for multifunctional land use. A correlation was established between the content of available trace elements in soil and the content of pseudo-total trace elements, as well as between these contents and the properties of the soils studied.