The Geochemical Soil Atlas of Switzerland is based on data from three datasets. Each dataset is derived from top-soil samples (0–20 cm) which were dried and sieved (< 2 mm). The soil samples from BDM (Biodiversity Monitoring Switzerland) and NABO (the National Soil Monitoring Network) were digested with aqua regia to determine the element concentrations. The UB dataset compiled and harmonised by the University of Bern contains measured values which were analysed by other chemical extraction methods in addition to aqua regia digestion. The median lead concentration is 24 mg/kg.
J. Reusser, M. Siegenthaler, L.H.E. Winkel, D. Wächter, R. Kretzschmar and R.G. Meuli. Geochemical Soil Atlas of Switzerland: Distribution of 20 elements in the topsoil. Agroscope, Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), Zurich, Berne. 5 December, 2023, 154 pp. doi:10.34776/gca23-e. Publication-ID (Web Code): 54789
J. Reusser, M. Siegenthaler, L.H.E. Winkel, D. Wächter, R. Kretzschmar and R.G. Meuli. Geochemical soil atlas of Switzerland: Distribution of toxic elements. Chimia, 77, (11), 2023, 758-763. doi:10.2533/chimia.2023.758.
The leaching behaviour of metals such as copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in soils formed on tailings from small mines over a relatively long time period were traced back. Using a chronosequence approach based on historical records of mining activities and C-14 dating, element leaching could be traced over a time period of approximately 1000 years for the historic mining sites at Mont Chemin (Switzerland).
M. Egli, A. Berger, R. Kündigb, R. Krebs, R. de Castro Portes, R. Berger and R. Widmer, The long-term interaction of mine tailings with soils and the wider environment: Examples from Mont Chemin, Switzerland. Journal of Chemical Exploration, 182 A, 53–69 (2017). doi:10.1016/j.gexplo.2017.08.011.
Shooting range stop butt soils (elevated soil mount behind the target) of three sites (Versoix, Cartigny and Nyon, Western Switzerland) were investigated for metal contamination and culturable lead-resistant bacteria in contaminated soils.
A. Adler, N. Devarajan, W. Wildi and J. Poté, Metal distribution and characterization of cultivable lead-resistant bacteria in shooting range soils. Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal, 25, 378–394 (2016). doi:10.1080/15320383.2016.1138929.
This report presents the results of five surveys (1985-2009) performed at the Swiss National Soil Monitoring Network (NABO). This monitoring network comprises 103 permanent monitoring stations, material flow analyses and process modelling. Samples were digested with aqua regia. At the NABO sampling sites, a general decrease in lead concentrations in all land-use types surveyed was observed between 1985 and 2009. The authors attribute this decrease to reduced airborne emissions following the ban on lead in petrol on the one hand, and a mixing of soil layers resulting in a dilution of lead concentrations on the other.
A. Gubler, P. Schwab, D. Wächter, R.G. Meuli and A. Keller, 2015. Ergebnisse der Nationalen Bodenbeobachtung (NABO) 1985-2009: Zustand und Veränderungen der anorganischen Schadstoffe und Bodenbegleitparameter. Bundesamt für Umwelt (BAFU), Bern, Umwelt-Zustand Nr. 1507: 1–81.
The Swiss soil-monitoring network (NABO) was launched in 1984 and comprised 105 observation sites covering all characteristic land-use types across Switzerland when this article was published. Lead was among the measured elements.
A. Desaules, S. Ammann and P. Schwab, Advances in long-term soil-pollution monitoring of Switzerland. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 173, 525–535 (2010). doi:10.1002/jpln.200900269.
Scientists determine the soil contamination with heavy metals in 95 selected forest sites in Switzerland. The results show that heavy metal concentrations often exceed government guide levels.
J. Luster, S. Zimmermann, B. Frey, I. Brunner, P. Lüscher, L. Walthert, P. Blaser, P. Heavy metals in Swiss forest soils / Schwermetalle in Schweizer Waldböden / Metalli pesanti nei suoli forestali svizzeri – Inf.bl. Forsch.bereich Wald 21: 3-4 (2005).
Original article original in German (PDF) https://www.waldwissen.net/assets/wald/klima/wsl_schwermetalle_waldboden/download/wsl_schwermetalle_waldboden_originalartikel.pdf.pdf
Investigation carried out on the Swiss Army 300-m rifle shooting range of Losone, a village close to the northern end of Lake Maggiore in southern Switzerland. The study investigates how heavy metals are distributed and moved within acidic soil found at shooting ranges, specifically examining the link between metal distribution and water flow. It contains values for lead.
L.A. Knechtenhofer, L.A., Xifra, I.O., Scheinost, A.C., Flühler, H., and Kretzschmar, R. Fate of heavy metals in a strongly acidic shooting-range soil: small-scale metal distribution and its relation to preferential water flow. J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci., 166, 84–92(2003). doi:10.1002/jpln.200390017
Soil profiles were sampled at an altitude of about 2,400 m in the Swiss National Park, representing soils developed above different bedrocks. The concentration of lead in the profiles was found to be strongly dependent on the metal content in the bedrock underlying the soil and was strongly enriched in the top 10 cm. The enrichment of lead in the topsoil, however, was largely attributed to atmospheric input.
B. Nowack, J.M. Obrecht, M. Schluep, R. Schulin, W. Hansmann, V. Köppe, Elevated lead and zinc contents in remote alpine soils of the Swiss National Park. Journal of Environmental Quality, 30, 919-26 (2001). doi: 10.2134/jeq2001.303919x.
In order to gain insight into Pb pollution of soils, a Pb isotope study was performed on soil profiles from selected sites in Switzerland. Samples were analysed from the Swiss National Park, where high Pb contents have been observed despite the absence of obvious pollution sources. Other samples were taken in populated areas N of Zurich where soil pollution was expected. For major pollutants, the Pb isotopic compositions have been determined on samples collected between 1993 and 1995.
W. Hansmann and V. Köppel, Lead-isotopes as tracers of pollutants in soils. Chemical Geology, 171, 123–144 (2000). doi:10.1016/S0009-2541(00)00230-8.
The aim of this study was to obtain an overview of trace element concentrations in Swiss forest soils and to critically assess the measured values with respect to anthropogenic input vs. lithogenic background. Twenty-three sites were selected which represent a broad range of natural forest sites, bedrock material and soil types of Switzerland. At each site, samples were collected from all genetic soil horizons down to a C or BrC horizon. Total concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in all samples were determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Pb and Zn were highest in limestone and marl. pollution of the investigated forest soils was found to be most severe for these two elements.
P. Blaser, S. Zimmermann, J. Luster and W. Shotyk, Critical examination of trace element enrichments and depletions in soils: As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in Swiss forest soils. Science of The Total Environment, 249, 257–280 (2000). doi:10.1016/S0048-9697(99)00522-7.
The soil of some 50 km2 around the town of Weinfelden in north-east Switzerland was sampled and analysed to estimate and map the concentrations of heavy metals, among them lead, before an incinerator for the canton’s waste was built. It was concluded that of the metals examined, lead exceeded the guide value at several sampling points, and a moderate probability of excess of lead is fairly widespread.
B. von Steiger, R. Webster, R. Schulin and R. Lehmann, Mapping heavy metals in polluted soil by disjunctive kriging. Environmental Pollution, 94, 205–15 (1996). doi:10.1016/s0269-7491(96)00060-7.
The topsoil of a 14.5 km2 region of the Swiss Jura was surveyed to identify the distributions of trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in it. The soil was sampled at 366 sites selected by combining a square grid and nesting.
O. Atteia, J.P. Dubois and R. Webster, Geostatistical analysis of soil contamination in the Swiss Jura. Environmental Pollution, 86, 315–327 (1994). doi:10.1016/0269-7491(94)90172-4.