Quantitative indices of the distribution of substances in the soil-plant system

New methodological approaches and an algorithm for the quantitative assessment of accumulating a substance by a plant (C _p ) with due regard for its concentration in the soil (C _n ) are proposed. The first approach is the approximation of concentration curves by the functions C _p = f(C _n ) and their parameters. The second one is the standardization of the coefficients of biological sorption (K _b ) of a substance upon its stable concentration in the soil using the function K _b = f(C _n ). As compared to the variation-statistical values of the mean and extreme concentrations, or the coefficients K _b , the proposed parameters are characterized by a higher accuracy and sensitivity. They may be successfully used for quantitative studies of the mechanism and the intensity of the absorption of substances by plants, for the prediction of the accumulation of substances in the trophic chain, and the assessment of soil self-purification (detoxification) and comparative ratings.