Report on the impact of anthropogenic factors on the properties and functions of soils from a selected area of Central European Lowland province

Abstract Purpose The study aims to assess the impact of human activity on content and migration trace elements in soil profiles various physico-chemical properties. research hypothesis assumed that related functioning buildings, agriculture, industry communication negatively affected element contents properties soils a selected urban area (the Grudziądz Basin). Materials methods Seven exposures were made areas differed land use type over an totalling approx. 200 ha. In profiles, samples disturbed structure taken from each genetic horizon. Selected determined: texture, pH, TOC, CaCO3 content. total heavy metals was determined by AAS after digestion hydrofluoric acid bioavailable forms 1 M DTPA. sources studied assessed using following indices: Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo) Contamination (CF). Results discussion sand fraction dominated examined with its ranging widely averaging 64.7%. general, humus horizons had lower pH values than deeper layers parent rock horizons. organic carbon ranged 0.07 4.64%. vertical decomposition N strongly carbon. highest metal for zinc, then nickel. Conversely, lowest concentrations mercury. Most higher analysed their upper characterised accumulation Cr, Hg, Zn Fe. zinc Conclusions assessment agricultural found be variable. Only few EF Cd, Pb Ni indicate effects activity. Likewise, CF Igeo attest only slight contamination area.