Land Use and Soil Depth Govern Essential Trace Element Distribution in a Gold Mining Ecosystem

Gold mining activities can alter soil properties and affect the distribution of trace elements that are essential for plant growth. This study evaluated the concentrations of Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, B, Mo, Cl, Ni, Se, Al, and Co in litter, topsoil, and subsoil layers collected from sediment, mine pine, control pine, and plane areas within a gold mining region. Soil samples were analyzed to determine the effects of mining activities, land use, and soil depth on trace element distribution. The results revealed significant variations in element concentrations among land-use types and soil depths. Mn concentrations ranged from 452.6–3377.8 mg kg−1, Fe from 23,366.8–52,783.7 mg kg−1, Al from 8308.3–17,245.3 mg kg−1, Co from 10.47–20.37 mg kg−1, Cu from 22.11–32.32 mg kg−1, Ni from 14.49–50.41 mg kg−1, and Zn from 39.69–114.7 mg kg−1, with the highest values generally observed in the Mining Pine area, particularly in the subsoil layer. Overall, the findings indicate that land use is the primary factor controlling the distribution of essential trace elements in the study area, while the direct impact of gold mining on their accumulation appears to be limited. These results contribute to a better understanding of soil quality changes in mining regions and provide useful information for post-mining land management and restoration planning.

Cite this article as: Erdem, R., Koç, İ., Işınkaralar, K., & Şevik, H. (2026). Evaluation of soil metalloid accumulation in gold mining areas. Forestist, 76, 0187, doi:10.5152/forestist.2026.25187.