TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL CHANGES IN METAL CONTENTS OF ARABLE SOILS IN THE BUG RIVER CATCHMENT IN 1995-2015 (POLAND)

The paper presents an analysis of the content and spatial distribution of metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Co, Ni, Cr, Zn, Pb and Cd) in arable soils sampled from the Bug River catchment in the years: 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015. The degree of soil contamination/enrichment in heavy metals (HM) was assessed using I-geo, CF, PLI and local sources of HM were identified using multivariate statistical analysis. The concentration levels of the studied elements were as follows (min-max in mg.kg(-1)): Fe = 2300.00-14100.00; Mn = 52.00-428.00; Cu = 1.80-15.30; Co = 0.82-5.23; Ni = 1.80-20.60; Cr = 260-25.60; Zn = 15.20-71.70; Pb = 3.90-3420 and Cd = 0.05-1.04. The analyses showed that all metals are at geochemical background levels, except for a slight enrichment in Cd and Pb. HMs were largely bound by organic matter and iron and manganese oxides. Statistical models (FA and CA) identified two sources of HMs. The first source of pollution was a local industry, communication and precipitation. The second source was related to organic and mineral fertilization and the use of crop protection products.