Lithology of soils in the Supraśl River valley (E Poland) and their ability to hold pollution

Abstract

This work presents the results of studies on the interactions of soils of varied lithology, occurring in the Suprś1 River valley, with selected kinds of pollutions. There were applied the farming and municipal wastes as well as petroleum products. Determinations of heavy metals such as: lead, zinc, copper and nickel were carried out. It was stated that the valley bottom, covered mainly by organic soils, is a good insulating horizon. The upland, covered by prevailed cohesive soils, could be also classified as an area with a high ability to retain pollution. The fluvioglacial terrace, overlain by cohesiveless soils, has the lowest insulating characteristics. The occurrence of surface soil cover increases the insulating ability of the studied area.