Volcanism and geochemistry of soil and vegetation cover of Kamchatka. Communication 3. Elemental composition of vegetation of volcanic ecosystems

Abstract

The link of the chemical composition of the plant with the active volcanism of Kamchatka, is determined by the stable occurrence into the composition of the priority chemical elements for plants, volcanic ashes and soils: Ca, Mg, Mn, P, Cu, Zn and Sr. An elevated geochemical background of Kamchatka plants relative to the bulk chemical composition of the peninsula’s soils was established. The contents of Br, Hg, Hf, Sb, Ga, W, K relative to the clarks for living matter in the plants of the region are exceeded by 3–5 times. Against the background of small variations in the contents of chemical elements in plants of different regions, the relatively rich biogeochemical background of the Western region of the southern province (the western coast of Kamchatka) is determined, where most ancient near-surface volcanic ashes for Kamchatka are transformed into humus-accumulative horizons. On the territory of young volcanic ash fallout in the immediate vicinity of volcanoes, the relative richness of vegetation with chemical elements and the poverty of soils by mobile forms of elements have been established. On the contrary, at a distance from the volcanoes in the zone of far transfer fallout ashes, there is a marked relative poverty of plants and soil richness of available chemical elements.