Baseline concentrations of trace elements in residential soils from Southeastern Missouri.
Anthropogenic sources of pollution can significantly contribute to elevated concentrations of toxic elements in soils. A preliminary survey of trace elements content and their availability in residential soils from New Madrid County, Missouri was undertaken. Mean elemental concentrations (mg kg(-1), dry wt) of sixty two soil samples were: As 6.6, Be 0.8, Cd 1.6, Co 9.7, Cr 24.5, Cu 18.1, Fe 9951, Mn 298, Ni 15.6, Pb 48.8, V 42.1, Zn 95.5 and Hg 0.05. The US EPA preliminary remediation goals (PRGs) was only exceeded by As (7 % of samples) and V (8% of samples). The Missouri average background values were exceeded by Pb (69%), Zn (31%), Cu (27%), As (23%), Be (19%), Co (18%), Ni (16%), V (8%) and Mn (2%). Crustal enrichments (EFc) for As (97), Cr (6), Cu (10), Pb (121), V (7), and Hg (17) were highest for North Lilbourn soils. Fractionation experiment revealed that Fe (54-79%) was in the residual phase while Zn (70-90%), Mn (88-92%), As (59-81%) and Pb (63-79%) were potentially available in soils. Factor loadings of the element concentrations on principal components 1, 2 and 3 accounted for over 81% variance of the data set. The factor loadings suggested that apart from natural contributions of trace elements to the soils, human activities possibly accounted for other inputs in soils.
Ikem
Abua
A
Co-operative Research Programs, Lincoln University, 307 Foster Hall, 904 Chestnut Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101, USA. Ikema@Lincolnu.edu
Campbell
Marjorie
M
Nyirakabibi
Isabelle
I
Garth
Jimmie
J
D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation; D008923:Missouri; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014131:Trace Elements