Komanická E., 2009: Geogenic origin of chromium and nickel in the soils and their transfer to the assimilation organs of trees in flysh area of the eastern Slovakia. Acta Geologica Slovaca, 1, 1, 33–38. (in Slovak with English summary)

Geogénny pôvod chrómu a niklu v pôdach a ich transfer do asimilačných orgánov drevín vo flyšovej oblasti východného Slovenska

Geogenic origin of chromium and nickel in the soils and their transfer to the assimilation organs of trees in flysh area of the eastern Slovakia

Eva Komanická

Katedra geochémie, Prírodovedecká fakulta, Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave, Mlynská dolina G, 842 15 Bratislava; komanicka@fns.uniba.sk

Abstract

Systematic geochemical study and mapping in Slovakia, allowed to understand distribution of potentially toxic trace elements in various natural media (soil, rocks, stream sediments, groundwater and forest biomass) related to geogenic and anthropogenic sources. Anomalous concentrations of chromium and nickel of geogenic character were detected in soils developed on flysh sedimentary rocks. The main interest devoted to such soils is motivated by possible toxic effect of chromium and nickel on plants and subsequently impact on living organisms and humans. The aim of this contribution was to assess the level of chromium and nickel concentration in assimilation organs of trees (needles). It was found high content of these elements in some soils. The studied sites were Podolínec, Forbasy, Stará Ľubovňa, Drienica, Kamenica. Content of these elements in needles of Norway Spruce (Picea abies) and Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) were very high on geogenically contaminated soils with higher values in more in the acidic soils with lower values of pH.

Key words: chromium, nickel, soil, needles, Šambron Member, Western Carpathians

Manuscript received: 2009-06-12

Revised version accepted: 2009-08-03