Concentrations and distributions of Ba, Cr, Sr, V, Al, and Fe in Torrelles soil profiles (Catalonia, Spain)

Concentrations and distributions of six elements – Ba, Cr, Sr, V, Al, and Fe – in 29 Torrelles soil profiles (135 soil samples) were investigated. The soils were classified as Alfisols, Entisols, Inceptisols, Mollisols, and Ultisols. Background data ranges were estimated with the box plot [median ± 2 median absolute deviation (MAD)] procedure as follows: Ba: 137.9–237.3 mg kg− 1, Cr: 21.5–35.7 mg kg− 1; Sr: 33.0–66.0 mg kg− 1; V: 26.2–43.2 mg kg− 1; Al: 19.5–33.7 g kg− 1; and Fe: 16.9–31.7 g kg− 1. Element concentrations for these soils were higher than the published values for Salamanca–Valladolid natural soils and lower than those reported for agricultural soils from Piedmont, Italy. Element contents, excluding Ba and Fe, were correlated with clay content and V, Al, and Fe were correlated with organic carbon. Element distributions in soils reflected parent materials and pedogenic factors determining clay content variation between and within soil profiles. Generally, metal contents decreased in the order of Inceptisols > Entisols > Alfisols > Mollisols > Ultisols and B > A horizons. All elements except Sr were concentrated in B horizons where clay had accumulated.