Research highlights: this article refers to the deep storage of trace elements as a result of the podzolization process under different types of vegetation cover. This is also an attempt to trace differentiation in the distribution of trace elements in mountain soils under the podzolization process. Background and objectives: we focused on estimating whether the podzolization process of soils under various vegetation covers led to the deep storage of trace elements in the subsoil. Furthermore, the potential contamination of studied soils with trace elements using pollution indices was assessed. Materials and methods: in thirteen soil profiles under three different vegetation types, chosen chemical–physical properties, e.g., organically bonded and active forms of Al and Fe, podzolization indices, and trace element content (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Ni) were analyzed. Additionally, pollution indices, such as Geoaccumulation Index, Potential Ecological Risk, Pollution Load Index, and Contamination Security Index, were calculated. Results: the distribution of Al and Fe varied among the soil profiles, suggesting different rates of podzolization processes that were partially dependent on the type of vegetation. Exceptionally high values of Al_o and Fe_o were noted in profiles P1 and P2 (1.53% and 2.52% for Al_o, and 2.13% and 1.46% for Fe_o, respectively) in horizons Bs and BsC under Plagiothecio-Piceetum taricum. Some of the soils showed the expected distribution of trace elements as the result of the podzolization process revealed their accumulation in the spodic horizon. Moreover, four different patterns of trace element distribution were recognized. Often, the accumulation of trace elements occurred in Bs/BsC horizons, e.g., in case of Zn soils P8, P9, and P10, which reached 65.8, 68.0, and 72.30 mg∙kg⁻¹, respectively. However, there were no large differences in trace element content in soils independent of the vegetation type. The pollution indices in most samples confirmed lack of contamination with trace elements. Only several soil horizons were moderately polluted and showed deterioration of soil quality or very low severity. Conclusions: in the majority of studied soils, the podzolization process resulted in the deep storage of trace elements, i.e., the accumulation of spodic horizon; however, in certain cases, it might have been related only to the different lithology, and appeared as anomalies not related to the dominant soil-forming process. Anomalies were characterized by a much higher content of trace elements in the BsC horizon compared to the upper O horizons. Obtained data of trace elements, as well as values of pollution indices, did not indicate pollution. This lack of pollution was related to localization of soils within a topographic barrier that protected them from the deposition of potential trace element–rich pollution.

中文翻译：

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深山土壤中深层土壤微量元素的存储和污染评估（波兰塔特拉山）

研究要点：本文是指在不同类型的植被覆盖下，由于过饱和作用而导致痕量元素的深层存储。这也是尝试在土壤化过程中追踪山区土壤中微量元素分布的差异的一种尝试。背景和目的：我们着重于评估各种植被覆盖下土壤的土壤过柱化过程是否导致了深层土壤中微量元素的深层存储。此外，使用污染指数评估了被研究土壤中微量元素的潜在污染。材料和方法：在三种不同植被类型下的13种土壤剖面中，选择的化学-物理性质，例如铝和铁的有机结合和活性形式，过氧化指数和微量元素含量（镉，铅，锌，铜，铬，和Ni）进行了分析。此外，还计算了诸如土壤累积指数，潜在生态风险，污染负荷指数和污染安全指数之类的污染指数。结果：土壤剖面中Al和Fe的分布各不相同，这表明不同的过饱和化速率部分取决于植被类型。极高的Al值在斜生Piceetthe-Piceetum taricum下的层位Bs和BsC中，在剖面P1和P2中注意到了_o和Fe _o（对于Al _o分别为1.53％和2.52％，对于Fe _o分别为2.13％和1.46％）。一些土壤显示了微量元素的预期分布，这是由于过时化过程揭示了它们在偶发层中的积累。此外，识别出四种不同的痕量元素分布模式。微量元素的积累经常发生在Bs / BsC地层中，例如在锌土P8，P9和P10的情况下，分别达到65.8、68.0和72.30 mg∙kg ^-1， 分别。但是，与植被类型无关，土壤中的微量元素含量差异不大。大多数样品的污染指数证实没有微量元素污染。只有几个土壤层受到了中等程度的污染，显示出土壤质​​量恶化或严重程度很低。结论：在大多数研究过的土壤中，过土壤化过程导致了痕量元素的深层存储，即偶发层位的积累。但是，在某些情况下，它可能仅与不同的岩性有关，并且表现为与主要的土壤形成过程无关的异常现象。异常的特征是与高O层相比，BsC层中的痕量元素含量高得多。获得痕量元素的数据以及污染指数的值，没有表明污染。这种污染的缺乏与土壤在地形障碍中的定位有关，从而保护了土壤免于沉积潜在的富含微量元素的污染。