Year: 2025, Number: 4, Pages: 30-37
This study aimed to investigate the concentration levels, vertical distribution, and association of various forms of chromium (Cr) with reactive phase carriers in Dystric Cambisols in natural soil-forming environments and in remediated dumpsite areas. Soil samples were collected from two sites and analyzedd using a combination of advanced analytical methods. The mean Cr content in the uncontaminated soils was similar to global and regional background levels. In these soils, Cr was mainly bound in stable soil compounds and accumulated in the middle and lower parts of the soil profile. The contents and distributions of total and potentially environmentally available Cr forms depended largely on the clay content and on soil compounds enriched by Al and Fe. The distribution of the water-soluble Cr form was largely dependent on the content of organic, Ca-, and Mn-containing soil compounds. Compared to the uncontaminated soil, significant increases in the content and accumulation of all studied Cr forms were observed in remediated dumpsite soil. This was accompanied by an increase in the proportion of extractable Cr forms and stronger associations of Cr with clay, organic, and Fe- and Mn-rich soil phases. These soil phases act as geochemical microbarriers, effectively stabilizing Cr ions in contaminated soils.