Masters Theses
Abstract
"In order to determine the extent of possible heavy metal contamination, more than 963 samples of leaf litter and soil were collected from 410 sample stations around the AMAX smelter in southeast Missouri. Dried samples of leaf litter and minus 80 mesh soil fractions were analyzed for cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Minus 80 mesh soil fractions were also analyzed for sulfur using x-ray fluorescence methods. Ranges of heavy metal concentrations in leaf litter were: cadmium, 0.13 μg/g to 175 μg/g; copper, 4.2 μg/g to 6500 μg/g; lead, 50 μg/g to 130,000 μg/g; and zinc, 26 μg/g to 7000 μg/g. In the top inch of soil ranges of heavy metal and sulfur concentrations were: cadmium, <0.33 μg/g to 67 μg/g; copper, 2.3 μg/g to 1600 μg/g; lead, 16 μg/g to 52,700 μg/g; zinc, 15 μg/g to 4170 μg/g; and sulfur, 85 μg/g to 5800 μg/g.
Results of this investigation show the existence of heavy metal and sulfur anomalies around the smelter. Lead forms the most extensive anomaly with a radius of 20-25 miles. Very high metal concentrations in the immediate vicinity of the smelter are probably the result of contributions from fugitive sources such as ore concentrates and slag material in addition to stack emission. Prevailing wind directions have caused a slight north-south elongation of the anomalies.
Heavy metal contamination, mainly lead, from ore concentrate haulage by truck and rail is localized, and is not generally detectable beyond 300-500 feet from the highways or railroad.
Most of the heavy metal contamination is retained by the leaf litter, especially the "Oh" horizon (partly- to well-decomposed leaf litter), and the top inch of soil. Where leaf cover is absent the metals appear to be moving downward more rapidly in the soil profile"--Abstract, pages ii-iii.
Advisor(s)
Bolter, Ernst
Committee Member(s)
Grant, S. Kerry
Manuel, O. (Oliver), 1936-
Department(s)
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Degree Name
M.S. in Geology
Publisher
University of Missouri--Rolla
Publication Date
1975
Pagination
x, 121 pages
Note about bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 58-61).
Geographic Coverage
Southeast Missouri
Rights
© 1975 David Lewis Butherus, All rights reserved.
Document Type
Thesis - Open Access
File Type
text
Language
English
Thesis Number
T 4061
Print OCLC #
5984484
Link to Catalog Record
Recommended Citation
Butherus, David Lewis, "Heavy metal contamination in soil around a lead smelter in Southeast Missouri" (1975). Masters Theses. 3029.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/3029
Location Map of Blanket Samples Collected Around the AMAX Smelter
Comments
One plate, folded in the back pocket of the manuscript, is provided here as a supplemental file. Due to its large size, this file may take more time to download.