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Heavy Metal and Arsenic Profiles in Ombrogenous Peat Cores from Four Differently Loaded Areas in Finland

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Abstract

The concentrations and vertical distribution of Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb and As were studied in four different ombrotrophic peat bogs with varying heavy metal loads at Hietajärvi, Outokumpu, Harjavalta and Alkkia in Finland. At each site a peat sample (15 cm × 15 cm × 100 cm) was taken using a Titanium Wardenaar corer, and the samples were cut into 5 cm slices. Dried and milled samples were determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The mean concentrations of the elements were at their highest at Harjavalta (the most polluted area), apart from Cu which had the highest value at the Cu-treated site at Alkkia. Cu concentrations were above ‘the lowest effective limit’ (LOEL) on all the plots except for the background plot at Hietajärvi. The maximum Cu values were reached in the topmost 20 cm layer, indicating the effects of mining and smelting activities. The highest Zn and Ni concentrations occurred in the 0–40 cm layer. At all sites, the maximum Pb concentrations were located between 10 and 50 cm. However, the Pb concentrations were higher at Alkkia and Harjavalta than at Outokumpu and Hietajärvi, indicating anthropogenic sources of Pb at the former sites. The As concentration was also the highest in the uppermost peat layers. The mean concentrations were markedly lower in the deeper layers (40–80 cm) than in the upper layers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vantaa Research Centre, Finnish Forest Research Institute, Box 18, FIN-01301, Vantaa, Finland

    L. Ukonmaanaho & T. M. Nieminen

  2. Institute of Environmental Geochemistry, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld, 236 D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    N. Rausch & W. Shotyk

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  1. L. Ukonmaanaho
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  2. T. M. Nieminen
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  3. N. Rausch
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  4. W. Shotyk
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Correspondence to L. Ukonmaanaho.

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Ukonmaanaho, L., Nieminen, T.M., Rausch, N. et al. Heavy Metal and Arsenic Profiles in Ombrogenous Peat Cores from Four Differently Loaded Areas in Finland. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 158, 277–294 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:WATE.0000044860.70055.32

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