Seasonal aspects of macro, trace, and ultra trace element changes in soils with different anthropogenic loads

Studying seasonal changes in the concentrations of macro, trace and ultra trace elements in soil samples is important for solving a number of environmental problems in mountainous regions. An innovative technical approach, using a portable X-ray fluorescenceanalyzer, was used to detect changes in the concentrations of certain chemical elements in soil samples from different regions of Armenia during the four seasons. Based on the established Clark concentration for chemical elements, a pollution index was calculated. Regardless of the season, the significance of the pollution index for trace elements is greater than the value of the other elements of the group. Moderate direct and inverse correlations between macro and trace elements, as well as between trace and ultra trace elements were dominant throughout the experimental cycle in all soil samples. The results obtained are of practical importance for the development of mountain soils for agricultural use and can be useful for the preparation of geochemical maps of the distribution of macro, trace, and ultra trace elements to adjust the geochemical background of heavy metals in the soils of Armenia.