7.2.1 Status and Depth Gradients
Figures 7.1 and 7.2 present boxplots illustrating the depth gradients
(organic layer, 0–5, 5–10 cm) for the stocks of all heavy metals analysed for NFSI II as well as in case of organic layer the stocks of NFSI I for the elements Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni and Zn
. Unless otherwise specified, means or comparisons of middle values are in relation to the median. The elements with data from the NFSI II encompassed all depth levels. In the NFSI I, only the data for the organic layer can be considered as this inventory did not measure heavy metals for the mineral soil layer throughout Germany. Two heavy metals are shown in each figure; the pairings are based on comparable stocks for the elements.
In terms of stocks, all the heavy metals studied have a right-skewed distribution since all elements have a few very high measurements. The upper quartile and upper whisker are therefore considerably farther from the median than are the lower quartile and lower whisker. For the same reason, the arithmetic mean for all heavy metals is greater than the median (Figs. 7.1 and 7.2). The magnitudes of the values and the depth profiles differ for each element; usually, the stocks in the organic layer are lower than that in the mineral soils because the organic layer is lacking the geogenic components. The lowest stocks both in the organic layer and in the mineral soil layers were found for Hg and Cd
(NFSI II; organic layer; median; Cd, 0.02 kg ha–1; Hg, 0.01 kg ha–1) (Fig. 7.2), followed by As and Cu
(NFSI II; organic layer; median; As, 0.14 kg ha–1; Cu, 0.63 kg ha–1) (Fig. 7.1) and Ni and Cr (NFSI II; organic layer; median; Ni, 0.34 kg ha–1; Cr, 0.43 kg ha–1) (Fig. 7.2). The highest stocks were documented for Pb and Zn (NFSI II; organic layer; median; Pb, 2.58 kg ha–1; Zn
, 2.86 kg ha–1) (Fig. 7.1). The elements Ni
, Cr and As have significantly lower stocks in the organic layer compared to the mineral soil, which points to a source that is primarily geogenic. For As, it is important to note that this element is present in an anionic form and therefore is only weakly bound in the organic layer, and rapid deposition into the mineral subsoil
is possible. The elements Ni, Cr, As and Zn have the highest stocks at 5–10 cm, which (except in the case of As) is further evidence in support of an origin that is primarily geogenic. In contrast, the elements Pb
and Hg
have the highest stocks at 0–5 cm and decrease at the 5–10 cm depth, which suggests a significant anthropogenic impact (atmospheric sources) on the heavy metal stocks arising from geogenic processes. This trend is less obvious for Cd
and Cu
, which on average have similar inventories in the 0–5 cm and 5–10 cm layers.
In general, the stocks in the organic layer decreased for all heavy metals between NFSI I and NFSI II; there was particularly clear decline for Pb. The mean (arithmetic mean) decrease is significant for all the heavy metals analysed (Pb, Cd, Cu
, Cr, Ni, Zn
) (see Sect. 7.2.3).
In the following sections, the results for Pb and Ni are used by way of example to highlight and elucidate one element that is characterised by a more anthropogenic influence (Pb) and one that is more geogenic (Ni). Nevertheless, all heavy metals are discussed in the analyses. If an element features a deviation from the typical pattern exemplified by Pb
or Ni
, this case is explained in more detail.
7.2.2 Spatial Distributions
7.2.2.1 The Organic Layer
The spatial distribution
of heavy metal stocks in the organic layer is shown in Fig. 7.3 using Pb
as an example. In the map, specific stock values are classified into one of six percentile groups. The difference between the stocks for the individual elements is comparatively low, as the levels of heavy metals are determined to a large extent by the stock levels of organic matter in the organic layer. Section 7.3 therefore addresses the differences in heavy metal concentrations
in the organic layer.
The relationship between the amount of humus and heavy metal stock also becomes apparent in comparing with humus stocks (see Chap. 5). Hence, the thick organic layer of the acidic soils in the low mountainous regions (e.g. the Harz, Hunsrück, Thuringian and Bavarian forests) has significantly higher heavy metal stocks than do the calcareous regions with relatively thin organic layers (e.g. the Swabian and Franconian mountains and the hills of Lower Saxony). The soils of the lowlands of northern Germany have a greater small-scale variability of heavy metal stocks in the organic layer compared to sites in the low mountainous regions. Figure 7.4 shows the relationship between heavy metal stocks in the organic layer and the humus stocks using Pb
as an example. The figure highlights the difference between regions with thinner organic layers and lower heavy metal levels in contrast to regions with thicker layers of humus and higher heavy metals stocks. For all heavy metals, the increase in the stocks thus follows the sequence MU < MOM < MOT < MR < RO.
7.2.2.2 Mineral Soil Layers
Compared to the levels in the organic layer, the heavy metal stocks in the mineral topsoil
are much more strongly characterised by the heavy metal concentrations
. This is understandable since the dry bulk density
, with the exception of the organic soils
, varies within a much narrower range compared to the concentrations of heavy metals. This can be clearly seen by comparing Figs. 7.5 and 7.17 with Ni
as the example element.
The Ni stocks in the upper mineral soil layer (0–5 cm), like the stocks for Cr
and Zn
, which show a very similar distribution, feature a distinct dichotomy across Germany. While the lowlands of northern Germany have a clear predominance of sites with distribution of the element in the “lower” classes (0–10%, 10–25% and 25–50%), locations in southern Germany (low mountain ranges, alpine foothills, mountains) are mostly in the higher classes (50–75%, 75–90% and 90–100%). The mineral soils of forested areas in the Palatinate Forest, in Odenwald/Spessart and in the northern regions of the Black Forest have lower stocks (and also concentrations) than other low mountain forests (Fig. 7.17). This is consistent with the distribution of background values
of Ni
in the topsoil
documented in the Soil Atlas of Germany (BGR 2016), although with higher classes for locations in the Erzgebirge, in the Süderbergland and in places in the hills of Schleswig-Holstein.
7.2.3 Changes in Heavy Metal Stocks
The differences in heavy metal stocks in the organic layer between NFSI I and NFSI II are calculated based on the collective of paired samples. Because no paired measurements are available for As and Hg
, differences cannot be determined for these elements. The time span between NFSI I and NFSI II varies between the respective sites. Whereas in most cases the time span accounts for about 17 years, it is less than 10 years for 94 sites.
Table 7.1 shows the change in heavy metal stocks in the organic layer between NFSI I and NFSI II for the entire country. It is apparent that the stocks of all the heavy metals measured (Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn
) and the humus stock have declined. The largest decrease was documented for Pb, at −33%, while Cd, Cr, Cu and Ni are all at about −20%. Relative to the other heavy metals, the decline for Zn is lowest (−11%). Overall, the declines of the heavy metals exceed the decrease in the humus stock, which on average is only −2%.
Table 7.1 Average stocks (kg ha–1) of the heavy metals in the organic layer and the humus stocks in the paired sample collective dataset for NFSI I and NFSI II as well as differences and changes (%)
Figure 7.6 illustrates the change in heavy metal stocks between NFSI I and NFSI II in g ha–1 year–1 differentiated by humus type, using lead as the example. The pattern shown is similar for all the heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn
). The scatter of absolute differences in heavy metal stocks between NFSI I and NFSI II diminishes with decreasing thickness of the humus type (MU < MOM < MOT < MR < RO). This result is based on the fact that heavy metal stocks are generally higher in thicker humus types. On average, the heavy metal stocks in the organic layer decreased most strikingly from NFSI I to NFSI II in the humus type MOM (Pb
: −96.3 g ha–1 year–1). In general, thinner sections of the organic layer (MU, MOM) showed decreases in heavy metals, while thicker organic layers (RO) instead showed an increase in heavy metals.
The difference in heavy metal stocks and the organic layer per year relative to the total stock for each humus type is shown in Fig. 7.6 using Pb
as the example. This figure clearly illustrates that separation according to humus type makes the scatter of the differences comparable. The differences in stocks correlated with humus type, with greater declines in stock in thinner humus types (Pb, MU −5.0%, MOM −4.2%) and slight increases in stock in thicker humus types (Pb, RO 0.9%). The decrease in heavy metal stocks in the humus types MU and MOM indicates a decline of atmospheric inputs of heavy metals in the period between NFSI I and NFSI II, since these humus types (as a result of their rapid mineralisation) have been completely reconditioned and accordingly reveal the current (at the time just prior to NFSI II) status of heavy metal input. As a whole, the decrease in heavy metal stock is more marked than the decrease in humus stock, and the increase in heavy metal stocks is less than the increase in humus stock. This result is further evidence to support the observation that the change in heavy metal stocks cannot be attributed solely to the change in humus stock; instead, an additional translocation of heavy metals into the mineral soil and/or a reduction of atmospheric deposition have taken place. This is most apparent for Pb
(Fig. 7.7), Cr
and Ni
and to a lesser extent for Cu
and Zn
. This result is weakest for Cd
(Fig. 7.8).
The decrease in atmospheric deposition of heavy metals in the period between NFSI I and NFSI II apparent in the change in heavy metal stocks in the organic layer is confirmed in Figs. 7.9 and 7.10 for Pb
and Cd
. These figures illustrate the clear decrease in inputs of Pb and Cd, differentiated by tree species
and area, in 20 sample sites in Lower Saxony and Hessen between 1982 and 2014. The total inputs (canopy drip + litterfall + stemflow) are between 30 and 50% higher than inputs from canopy drip alone (Keuffel-Türk et al. 2012).
7.2.3.1 Impacts of Liming on Changes in Heavy Metal Stocks in the Organic Layer
Figures 7.11 and 7.12 illustrate the effect of liming
on the heavy metal stocks in the organic layer. Depending on the humus type, liming the organic layer causes the humus stocks to decompose or negatively impacts the formation of humus by moving the organic substances into the upper layers of the mineral soil (see Chap. 6). The effect of heavy metal depletions is somewhat enhanced by liming. Hence, liming tends to reduce the heavy metal stocks in the organic layer. This applies to almost all the elements to the same extent but is somewhat more pronounced in thicker humus types such as mor humus. For lead, the effect of liming is weakest in mor humus, which may be related to the strong affinity of lead to form complexes and the simultaneous increase in pH.
7.2.3.2 Inventory Changes in the Soil (Organic Layer and Topsoil) Using the NFSI Plots in North Rhine-Westphalia
Interpretation of the changes in heavy metal
stocks between NFSI I and NFSI II must also consider the changes in the mineral soil layers. Although data on heavy metal stocks in the mineral soil for the entire country are available only for NFSI II, in North Rhine-Westphalia, these analyses were conducted for both NFSI I and NFSI II. Therefore changes in the heavy metal stocks between NFSI I and NFSI II can be explored for the mineral soil in this state.
Sampling for NFSI II in North Rhine-Westphalia consisted of a nationwide 8 × 8 km grid
consolidated to 4 × 4 km squares in the lowland forests and in the Egge forested hills. Oriented on the middle inventory year of NFSI I and NFSI II, the comparisons below relate to a span of 17 years.
The humus stocks in the organic layer and in the mineral soil layers that had been measured directly in NFSI I and NFSI II were used as the basis for stock calculations. However, the quantity of fine soil in the mineral soil was determined only once for each inventory plot (NFSI I) and was then assumed as a constant in the comparisons of stocks.
Heavy metal stocks in the organic layer declined in the period between inventories for all elements (Table 7.2). The most distinct changes were observed for Pb
and Hg. Mean stocks compared to NFSI I dropped by 59% for Pb and 51% for Hg
. Stocks of the remaining heavy metals dropped over the same period by 33% for Cd
and 46% for Cr
, while the humus stock decreased by only 17% over this period.
Table 7.2 Average stocks [kg ha–1] for heavy metals and humus and changes between NFSI I and NFSI II in the organic layer, the mineral soil (0–10 cm) and the total compartment (organic layer + mineral soil) in North Rhine-Westphalia
Statistically, the changes in heavy metal stocks (arithmetic mean) were compared in two-way Gauss’s test for stratified samples to better assess the signal strength of the changes after the first repeat of the inventory. With this test, the decrease in heavy metal stocks in the organic layer can be confirmed with a significance level of 1% as can the dry substance quantity in the organic layer.
In the mineral soil depth of 0–10 cm (Table 7.2), the stocks of a few of the heavy metals have changed in patterns deviating from the trend in the organic layer. In some cases, depletion in the organic layer is tied to an accumulation in the upper layers of the mineral soil. This type of shift in concentration to the mineral soil is seen for As, Pb, Cu, Hg and Zn
. For some, the mean stocks in the 0–10 cm depth have increased only slightly by 8% (Cu) and 9% (Pb), whereas Hg increased significantly by 41%. At the same time, the decrease seen for Cd and Cr in the organic layers was continued in the upper layer of the mineral soil, with decreases of −16% and −14%, respectively, while the mean stocks of As, Ni and Zn showed only negligible change in the mineral soil compared to the first inventory.
The changes in stocks for the mineral soil (arithmetic mean) were not statistically significant for As, Cu and Ni. This result is most likely explained by the relatively high geogenic components in North Rhine-Westphalia, especially for Ni and As. In contrast are the highly significant changes for Cd and Cr that have taken place as a result of the decreased atmospheric inputs of these elements into the upper layers of the mineral soil. The overall increase in the quantity of humus in the mineral soil has had not caused an increase in the stocks of these heavy metals. In contrast, the highly significant increase in Pb and Hg
in the mineral soil is due to both the influence of humus dynamics and the close correlation between the stocks of these heavy metals and organic matter. This relationship is further strengthened by inputs of Hg that are presumably increasing. The significance level for the slight increase in concentration or stocks of Zn in the mineral soil is at 90%.
Because of the relatively low quantities of dry matter in the organic layer, the total of the stocks in the mineral soil plus the organic layer (Table 7.2) are determined primarily by the stocks in the mineral soil. Considering the entire layer from topsoil
to a depth of 10 cm, based on NFSI II (median), the quantities of heavy metals bound in the organic layer make up a maximum of 12% of the total stocks.
As the comparison of the average total stocks shows, stocks of Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni and As in the topsoil
have not changed significantly. The quantities of heavy metals that have been released from the organic layer are mirrored in the mineral soil to a depth of 10 cm, with the exception of Hg, Cd and Cr. While the Cr stock decreased by 13%, the amount of Cd declined by as much as 20%. The change in Hg is most striking; for this heavy metal, the increase by 18% is opposite to the general trend. This increase in Hg in the mineral soils clearly exceeds the reduction that was documented for the organic layer.
While the change in the total stocks of Cd, Cr and Hg in the topsoil
was significant at a 1% level, the changes in Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni
and As were not significant. For these elements the changes in the organic layer and the mineral soil cancel each other out. Thus, most heavy metals have no significant shift within the depth profile into deeper mineral soil layers. A slight translocation to the deeper mineral soil layers was observed only for Cd
, which is a relatively mobile heavy metal. According to the data from the NFSI, at this plots an increase in the atmospheric inputs of Hg
is assumed; however, this conclusion needs to be verified with more data
.