Distribution of Microelements in the Soils of the High-Altitude Mountains of Velyka Blyznytsia (Svydovetsky Massif of the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve)

Abstract

The results of studies of the gross content of trace elements (Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Pb, V, Cr, Ba, F) and pH values in brown earth soils of different altitude zones (from the subalpine to the low mountain zone) of the southern and northern slopes of the Velyka Blyznytsia mountain of the Svydovetsky massif are presented. (soil-forming rocks are flysch) of the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve (KBR). Analyzes were carried out using the method of mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS) and atomic emission analysis. Based on the results of statistical processing of the trace element composition of soils, background content was established, pH values, correlations and concentration coefficients were determined. It was found that the pH value of soils increases from the subalpine to the low mountain zone (from 3.1 to 4.5). It was determined that the content of trace elements is higher (by 1.2-2 times) in the soils of the southern slope (the northern slope is steeper than the southern one and the air temperature is 2-3 °C lower). It was established that in the subalpine belt of the southern slope, the impoverishment of mountain-meadow soil undermossy vegetation occurs in microelements — Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Pb, V, Ba, which is explained by the increase in acidity and mobility of metals, the exception being Cr, which is in insoluble state and accumulates in soils. It was determined that Zn, Co, Mn, V and partly Cu accumulate in peat soils under the Siberian juniper on the northern slope of the mid-mountain belt, which is explained by the formation of complex compounds with organicmatter. A general trend of Cu and F accumulation in soils under coniferous plants (Siberian juniper, fir-spruce forests) was revealed. The annual entry into the soil of element-enriched precipitation of pinnate plants creates the effect of the so-called "secondary pollution" of the upper soil horizons. It was found that F is inert to organicmatter. The correlation dependence of F-Cu (presence of pine trees) in the soils of the southern slope and F-Ba-Pb (clay component) in the soils of the northern slope was established.