Contents, distribution, and fractionation of soil organic carbon and trace elements in soils under a green manure application

Abstract

We quantified the soluble fractions of the soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations and the total and water-soluble trace elements in soils contaminated by household waste and remediated via the addition of green manure over 13 years and identified the main factors controlling the vertical distribution and accumulation of the trace elements. Green manure favoured the active formation of soil organic matter. The SOC of the examined soils was characterised by the active stabilisation by mineral soil compounds, but by a low degree of humification. The soils showed increased concentrations of Cr and Ni ions. The SOC and different soil compounds enriched by Si, Ca, and Mn ions were the important determinant for the distribution of Sr, V and Cu ions, as well as for the distribution of Pb and Cr ions bound to the water-soluble components of the soils. The low degree of SOC humification may be one of the main reasons of the high concentrations of Cu and Pb ions in the composition of the water-soluble soil compounds. The nickel ions were mainly associated with compounds enriched by the Al and Fe ions. The extremely high percentage concentration of the Ni ions in the water-soluble components of the soils may be result of the absence of the Ni ions adsorption by humic substances.