Activity of non-ferrous metallurgical plant from Zlatna were released directly to atmosphere high levels of heavy metal, most of them were deposited on soil. The object of this study is to asses the distribution of copper along the different soil profile at specific distance from the pollution sources and under different land use. The vertical distribution of copper was investigated in the main soils from this area: Dystric Cambisols, Eutric Cambisols, Haplic Luvisols, Luvisols, Regosols, Fluvisols, strogly eroded soils.  The total copper was measured with flame atomic absortion by a mixture of strong acids (hydrochloric, sulphuric and perchloric acid-5:10:1 ratio). In the examined soils, generaly, the copper soil profile distribution show a maximum value in the top soil and then decrease with depth. Between soil copper content and soil organic matter of studied soil was established a very significant correlation. The highest values of total copper were determined in the litter, followed by pasture and arable land. The distribution of the copeer on soil profile presented less variation with soil type, but rather with distance from pollution source and land use. The human impact of metal accumulation in top soil was confirmed by the fact that concentrations of copper decreased with depth

Copper, vertical distribution, soil, Zlatna

Presentation: oral