SELENIUM IN SALSODISOLS LOCATED IN THE CĂLMĂŢUI AND BUZĂU RIVERS VALLEYS

Abstract

Selenium contents were determined in the A horizon of the Salsodisols (Solonchaks and Solonetz) placed along the Călmăţui and Buzău Valleys. The total selenium content oscillated between 480 and 1140 g·kg -1 , with an average value of 800 g·kg -1 . This value is 2.1 times higher than the selenium total content in the upper horizon of the World’s non-halomorphic soils. It is also higher than the selenium total content in the upper horizon of the soils from Dobrogea and the South-Eastern Romanian Plain, 5.6 respectively 3.4 times. The mobile selenium content, soluble in the EDTA-CH3COONH4 solution at pH = 7, ranged in the 13-25 g·kg -1 interval, with an average value of 18 g·kg -1 , 4 times higher than the mobile selenium contents of the Dobrogea soils upper horizon and 1.2 times higher than the ones in the South-Eastern part of the Romanian Plain. Between the selenium total contents and some Salsodisols physical and chemical properties proportionality relations were established, statistically ensured. Most of these soils’ selenium content is to be found as calcium, sodium, or magnesium (secondary) selenates. The presence of the same cations’ selenites is not excluded. ©2012 Author(s) CC Attribution 3.0 Unsuported License.