Co, Cr, Ni, and V total contents in serpentine soils exceed the intervention limits.
Ca/Mg imbalance and low levels of organic matter caused vegetative growth problems.
The highest proportion of heavy metals is bound to least available soil fractions.
TOF-SIMS confirmed association of Co, Ni, Cr and V with Mg silicates and Fe oxides.
There is a risk of heavy metal pollution in areas near serpentinite quarries.