Input of heavy metals to the forest floor as the result of zinc smelter pollution in southern Poland

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of zinc smelter on heavy metals concentration in the litter fall collected from three different sites in Olkusz Forest located in southern Poland. Furthermore the study was designed to investigate the input of these metals to the forest floor. Three forest areas Podlesie I and Podlesie II located 3 and 4 km south-east from Bukowno zinc smelter and Cegielnia situated 6 km north-east from the smelter were selected. At the beginning of September 2006 five litter traps were set at each site. The quantity of litter fall, along with percentage composition of each species, were estimated for an area of 1m 2 . The concentration of Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn and Fe in the litter fall and leaves of four main tree species were analysed. The input of these metals to the forest floor were determined. The input of cadmium ranged from 204 µg m 2 at Cegielnia to 1340 µg m 2 at Podlesie I. The input of lead was higher than cadmium and varied from 1031 µg m 2 at Cegielnia to 3252 µg m 2 at Podlesie II.The input of zinc and iron were about 10 times than cadmium and lead. The less input of all invesigated metals was noticed in control site located at WNP. for those metals. The high input of heavy metals to the forest floor may have negative effects on investigated part of Olkusz forest ecosystem.