Ecosystem properties and copper contamination at a former wood impregnation site, including soil physicochemical properties, microbial biomass, soil respiration and plant and birch leaf properties
https://doi.org/10.60689/cj4x-kk79
The dataset contains data from a field study performed at a former wood impregnation site, with a clear copper-contamination gradient (about 50 - 2300 mg/kg Cu). The site "Televerket Björkhult", located in Kinda kommun, Sweden, was used between 1916 and 1944 for impregnation of telegraph poles by the so-called Boucherie method using 1.5-2% (m/m) copper sulphate solution. After 1944 the site was abandoned and presumably unmanaged. Therefore the site represents an unique opportunity to study long-term ecosystem effects of soil copper contamination.
The data reported here are concentrations of metals, soil physicochemical properties (carbon, nitrogen, and their stabile isotopes d13C and d15N, pH, water holding capacity), microbial biomass, in situ soil respiration (basal respiration and substrate-induced respiration), plant biomass and C and N elemental concentrations and stabile isotopes in birch leaves and grass leaves.
Download data and documentation (5 files / 160.59 KiB)
Data files
Data files
- Total Copper Variation and Ecological Parameters in Soil - Birch Leaves Only Data.csv9.9 KiB
- Total Copper Variation and Ecological Parameters in Soil - Grass Leaves Only Data.csv6.64 KiB
- Total Copper Variation and Ecological Parameters in Soil - Soil Only Data.csv39.19 KiB
- Total Copper Variation and Ecological Parameters in Soil Data.xlsx84.17 KiB
Documentation files
Documentation files
- Total Copper Variation and Ecological Parameters in Soil Description.docx20.69 KiB
Citation and access
Citation and access
Data access level:
Creator/Principal investigator(s):
Research principal:
Data contains personal data:
No
Citation:
Language:
Method and outcome
Method and outcome
Time period(s) investigated:
Geographic coverage
Geographic coverage
Geographic location:
Geographic description:
The site "Televerket Björkhult" was used between 1916 and 1944 for wood impregnation. The site is located between lake Verveln and lake Little Verveln, Kinda Municipality, Sweden (57°51'31.4"N; 15°39'16.8"E).
Administrative information
Administrative information
Responsible department/unit:
School of Science and Technology
Funding
Funding
Funding agency:
- Structor Miljöteknik AB
Funding agency:
- Faculty Board of Business, Science and Engineering of Örebro University
Funding agency:
- The Knowledge Foundation of Sweden
Award number:
20200270
Award title:
The status of ecosystem functions of polluted lands assessed in situ using plant, soil and microbial indicators
Topic and keywords
Topic and keywords
Swedish Standard Classification of Research Subjects 2025:
INSPIRE topic categories:
Keywords:
Publications
Publications
Citation:
Rijk, Zeiner, Kleja, Goswami & Ekblad. (2026). Total copper explains variation in soil organic carbon accumulation but not in situ soil respiration: an ecosystem evaluation of a century-old wood impregnation site. 10.1093/etojnl/vgag155
Metadata
Metadata
Version 1
Örebro University