Trace elements in Al-Fe-humus podzolic soils subjected to aerial pollution from the apatite-nepheline production industry

Much data on the concentration and profile distribution of trace elements (Rb, Cs, Ag, Au, Sr, Ba, Zn, Cd, Sc, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Yb, Th, U, Zr, Hf, As, Sb, V, Ta, Se, Cr, Mo, W, Co, Ni, Br, and Ir) in Al-Fe-humus podzolic soils subjected to intensive aerial pollution from apatite-nepheline mining and processing and the less significant pollution from the copper-nickel enterprise are considered. The elements distribution in the profile of polluted soils has a typical technogenic-accumulative pattern. The highest concentrations are found in the upper organic horizons. Trace elements emitted in the course of apatite-nepheline production are fixed in the organic soil horizon to alkalinization. Therefore, the distribution of these elements in mineral horizons displays a natural pattern, whereas their concentration is controlled by the lithogenic factor.