Potentially toxic elements in soil and air along an altitudinal gradient in Tatra National Park

Abstract

With a growing number of tourists, national parks are facing high pressure in terms of production and spreading the potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Car parks, roads or civil amenities have become a source of PTEs, which are spreading not only in their immediate vicinity, but can contaminate much wider surroundings. Total content of Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn was determined in soil samples and, also in mosses and lichen samples, which were used as bioindication method for air pollution monitoring. Soil pollution was evaluated by contamination factor (Cf), degree of contamination (Cd) and the pollution load index (PLI). The impact of pollution on selected soil characteristics (soil enzymes, soil respiration, total nitrogen, organic carbon, soil pH) was also evaluated. Content of PTEs in moss and lichen samples was expressed by relative accumulation factor values (RAF).The most serious soil pollution was recorded at the first (lowest in terms of altitude) sampling point, but soil contamination reached significant values also at higher altitudes. All evaluated soil properties showed decreasing tendency under the soil pollution, with exception of soil pH, which showed positive correlation with PTEs. The ability of mosses and lichen to accumulate pollution in their insoles varied depending on the toxic element. High levels of PTEs have also been captured at higher altitudes due to their ability to spread, transport and accumulate in the environment.