Current state of mineral nutrition and risk elements in a beech ecosystem situated near the aluminium smelter in Ziar nad Hronom, Central Slovakia

The current state in heavy metals contamination and mineral nutrition of beech forests near the aluminium plant Ziar nad Hronom (Central Slovakia) was evaluated based on soil analysis and on element analysis of potential fungal and plant indicator species. The research was conducted in two monitoring plots with high (PMP Ziar nad Hronom) and low (BEES Kremnicke vrchy Mts.) immission loads, respectively. Supply of macronutrients (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+) was found sufficient to sustain forest growth at both sites. Differences in trace metal concentrations between these two localities were confirmed to be persistent. In the more polluted site, trace metal contents were found to be higher in the A horizon compared to the B horizon, indicating an essentially anthropogenic origin of the current metal levels and a strong binding of certain trace metals to soil organic matter. Different distribution patterns were found for calcium, magnesium, sodium, copper, cadmium, lead in plant and fungal biomass. In the herbal plant species Carex pilosa and Dentaria bulbifera, increased concentrations of potassium in aboveground biomass and a tendency to retain copper in the root biomass were observed. Tolerable cadmium concentrations were exceeded in plant samples from PMP Ziar nad Hronom. Both cadmium and lead concentrations were above the recommended limits in fruit bodies of many fungal species, which may hence constitute a health hazard if consumed. The highest concentrations of heavy metals were found in Agrocybe praecox for Pb (48.77 mg kg(-1)), in Gymnopus aquosus for Cd (4.75 mg kg(-1)), in Polyporus varius for Zn (364.97 mg kg(-1)) and in Clitocybe nebularis for Cu (34. 10 mg kg(-1))(c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.