The concentration and mobility of elements in subalpine forest soils in Colorado and Idaho

Leaching studies of subalpine forest soils collected at seven sites in Colorado and Idaho show that copper, cobalt, chromium, magnesium, barium, tin, strontium, and yttrium are highly mobile elements in these soils; that zirconium, lanthanum, nickel, and scandium are moderately mobile; and that titanium is rather immobile. Furthermore, the results of the studies indicate that elements are most highly concentrated in the ash of the mull (02) horizon. In these soils, the mull horizon is a more favorable zone for the accumulation of metals and other elements than are the mineral (A,B,C) soil horizons.