Plant and soil contamination with trace metals in the Elbe floodplains:: A case study after the flood in August 2002

After the severe Elbe flood in August 2002 the topsoil mobility of trace metals and the contamination of the floodplain vegetation was studied on 18 recent floodplain sites of the Elbe and lower Mulde. The mobile fraction of the trace metals decreased in the order Cd > Zn > Cu Pb > As > Hg. For Cu and As a significant correlation to total element concentration was found in the soils. For the extractable share of Cd, Zn and Pb regression curves accounting for soil pH value are presented. They indicate a comparatively high metal mobility. Directly after the flood metal concentrations in all plant samples exceeded EU maximum values for feedingstuffs as given by due to surface contamination. In 2003, 50% of all plant samples still exceeded maximum values. For the transfer of contaminants into the food chain different pathways are possible. Their share with respect to total contaminations, however, can until now not be quantified. Nevertheless, the observed soil and plant contaminations indicate the necessity of activities to prevent transfer into the food chain.