Chemical time bombs related to forestry practice: Distribution and behaviour of pollutants in forest soils

Abstract

AbstractHeavy metals and persistent organic pollutants from atmospheric deposition and from fertilizer and pesticide applications are important hazardous substances in forest soils. Data are presented showing that these substances preferentially accumulate in the upper humic horizons of the soils. Another group of substances to be considered in relation to the chemical time bomb concept are the components of humus and soil minerals, mainly nitrogen and metals, which May, be mobilized and thus threaten groundwater quality. Forestry management practices such as thinning, cropping, fertilization and liming are discussed as potential triggers for the mobilization of harmful substances. in this context, The turnover (build‐up and mineralization) of organic matter plays a crucial part. It will be shown, however, that even more danger arises from soil acidification induced by the atmospheric deposition of acidifying pollutants such as sulphates and nitrates.