Heavy Metal Concentrations in Tree Ring Layer and Soil and Tree Ring Growth of Roadside Trees in Seoul

This study was carried out to examine the heavy metal concentrations in soils under roadside trees and tree ring layers, and to investigate the relationship between heavy metal concentrations and tree ring growth of roadside trees in Seoul. Soil samples at depth and tree line were collected from Platanus occidentalis and Ginkgo biloba at nine streets, and pH and heavy Metal concentrations were analyzed. Soil pH ranged from 6.62 to 8.01 and soil heavy metal concentrations under roadside trees were higher (Zn 109.03, Pb 26.49 and Cu 44.98 mg/kg) compared with those of the referred forest soils. Soils at Cheonggye2ga street showed the highest heavy metal concentrations, and seemed to be related to heavy traffic and dense hardware stores. Tree ring width significantly decreased from 1979 through 2000 for both species. There were positive correlations between Cr, Pb and Cu concentrations in soils and tree ring layers for P. occidentalis and Ni for G. biloba. However, there were negative correlations between Cr concentration in tree ring layers and tree ring width for P. occidentalis, and Ni and Cu for G. biloba. Also there were no significant correlations between climatic factors in Seoul and tree ring width.