Total and bioavailable forms of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cr in agricultural soils: a study from the hydrological basin of Keritis, Chania, Greece

The hydrological basin of Keritis in Chania, Greece is mainly an agricultural area where
various agrochemicals are used. In topsoils, the total and available forms of Cu, Zn, Pb and
Cr were determined after their extraction with boiling Aqua Regia and DTPA respectively.
Although the total heavy metal concentrations in Keritis soils were similar to the total
concentrations in other agricultural areas, the studied soils can not be described as heavily
polluted. The bioavailable concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cr were low. The relative
availability and comparative mobility followed the order of Cu>Pb>Zn>Cr and was closely
related to the soil organic matter.