Restoration of properties of cultivated soils polluted by copper and nickel

Abstract

The long-term observations of the restoration of chemical and biological properties of cultivated podzol soil polluted by airborne emissions from a copper–nickel smelter located in the western Arctic of Russia were carried out. After 8 years, the total content of copper in soil decreased to a third (from 6230 to 2080 mg kg⁻¹) and nickel to a sixth (from 3500 to 580 mg kg⁻¹). Based on these observations, the removal time for heavy metals to reach permissible levels was calculated. The estimate was 100 years for copper and 108 years for nickel. Soil remained toxic to wheat seedlings, especially to their roots, for the whole observation period. A restoration of the number and activity of soil microorganisms was associated with the reduction in soil metal-toxicity. The number of non-sporeforming saprophytic bacteria was quickly restored concurrently with the removal of metals from the soil; fungal biomass also increased.