The behaviour of lead and cadmium in the intensive rooting zone of acid spruce forest soils

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Abstract
Hydrogen ion and heavy metal budgets for a mature spruce stand (Soiling) show a correlation between seasonal acidification pulses (nitrification) and heavy metal mobilization (Cd, Pb). Increasing acidity in the humus percolate mobilizes Cd from the humus layer (max. 4 μg.1‐1 ). Pb‐concentrations reach up to 50–60 μg.1‐1 in the bulk lysimeter samples. These Pb‐concentrations were shown to be critical for fin roots of spruce in hydroponic experiments. In the fine roots, Pb accumulates mainly in the cortex of subvital fine roots. Concentrations are in the same range as in the humus layer. Cd accumulates to a significantly higher extent in the vital fine roots, compared to the humus matrix (about 10 to 20 times higher). These specific accumulations of Cd and Pb in the fine root matrix could be observed in a number of spruce stands investigated.

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