Total content of macroelements and trace elements in Holocene calcareous gyttja from the post-bog area of north-western Poland

Abstract

The study covered 6 sites located in the Vistula glaciation area in north-western Poland, where the Holocene calcareous (gyttja) deposits occur. Three types of such calcareous deposits were isolated: marly (groundwater calcretes) (CaCO₃ > 80%, loss of ignition < 20%, non-carbonate fractions < 20%), calcareous gyttja (CaCO₃ 50–80%, loss of ignition < 40%, non-carbonate fractions < 40%), and clay calcareous gyttja (CaCO₃ 20–50%, loss of ignition < 30%, non-carbonate fractions < 60%). The content of major and trace elements was determined in different horizons. Several parameters of Holocene calcareous deposits were determined, namely carbonate status, total organic carbon, non-carbonate mineral fractions and several major and minor components. Close correlations between CaCO₃ and Ca, Mg contents, between non-carbonate fraction and K, Zn and Cu contents, as well as between ignition loss and Zn and Cu contents were observed in the sediments. The sediments exhibit vertical variability which relates to the genesis of sediments and soils. The highest content of macroelements was recorded in the uppermost layers for Ca, Mg, Na, and Mn and for microelements (trace elements) in bottom layers for S, P, K, Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Ni.