The cadmium and lead of soil in timberline coniferous forests, Eastern Tibetan Plateau

Abstract

The health of coniferous forests has been attended due to the heavy metal pollution. The accumulation of heavy metals can increase the risk of harmful effects in the future. The monitoring of soil in timberline forests in the east of the Tibetan plateau was performed. Soil samples were collected by laminating sampling. Concentrations of Cd and Pb were analyzed by ICP-MS. Spatial distribution of elements (Cd and Pb) by geostatistical analysis is presented. The concentrations of Pb and Cd between different years (in 1990 and in 2012) also are compared. Results show that Cd and Pb concentrations of soil are much higher in current levels. Cd and Pb inputs of timberline forests present an increasing trend in the last two decades. Such heavy metal monitoring of soil is needed to provide databases so that the next step of this kind would be to evaluate levels of trace metal accumulation, formulate environmental legislation and control strategies of timberline forests in the future. The possible source and influencing factors of Cd and Pb in soil are also discussed.