IMMOBILIZATION OF INORGANIC POLLUTANTS (FILTERING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES) SUPPLIED BY SOIL IN MODEL REGIONS OF SLOVAKIA

Jarmila MAKOVNÍKOVÁ, Boris PÁLKA

Národné poľnohospodárske a potravinárske centrum, Výskumný ústav pôdoznalectva a ochrany pôdy, Regionálne pracovisko Banská Bystrica, Mládežnícka 36, SK-974 01 Banská Bystrica, e-mail: jarmila.makovnikova@nppc.sk, boris.palka@nppc.sk,

Abstract

Mapping system combining input layers - slope topography, soil texture, climate region and land use (arable land, grassland) - were created for the analysis and the evaluation of potential of agroecosystem services. Filtering potential was calculated as accumulative function of soil sorption potential and potential of total content of inorganic pollutants evaluated according to the Slovak law on agricultural soil protection and utilization.. Calculated potential was categorized into five categories - very low, low, medium, high and very high. Four model areas were selected for the analysis of pollutant filtration, as one of the regulatory agroecosystem services, which are located in different climatic areas and different soil-ecological conditions of Slovakia. The greatest differences among model regions can be found in relation to climatic conditions, land use and diversity of soil types. The warm, dry, and lowland region has a higher potential for pollutant filtration than the moderately warm or cold region. These results are consistent with the location of the soil, its properties, processes and functions within the concept of agro-ecosystem services. Based on the results, we can state that the high risk of inorganic contaminants is inherent in soils with low content and quality of organic substances, low pH value and high concentration of contaminants.

Key words: Filtering ecosystem service, inorganic contaminants, soil sorbents