Influence of Post-Industrial Heap Conditions on Nutrient Accumulation in Silver Birch (Betula pendula Roth) Biomass

Post-industrial heaps are a major environmental problem. They require remediation and reclamation, in which natural succession plays a key role in ecosystem development. This study aimed to assess the effect of heaps formed from materials of different origins on the nutrient content of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth), a pioneer species in this process. We analyzed nutrient contents in biomass fractions (fine and coarse roots, stemwood, bark, coarse and fine branches, leaves) and in soils sampled from 0 to 10, 10 to 20, 20 to 40, and 40 to 80 cm. Basic soil properties and the contents of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn in both soil and biomass were determined. The soils were poor in total organic carbon and differed in pH, texture, and nutrient status. Leaves and roots contained the highest nutrient contents, whereas stemwood contained the lowest. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in all studied elements between heaps. Among macronutrients, N, P, and Mg were most abundant, followed by K, Ca, and S. Among micronutrients, Mn dominated, followed by Fe, Zn, and Cu. Findings underscore that silver birch growing on contaminated post-industrial heaps cannot be considered a hyperaccumulator of trace elements.