Masters Theses
Abstract
“The Buick Smelter in Iron County, Missouri has been in operation since June 1968, and has been emitting heavy metal particulate matter into the atmosphere at an average rate of 28.65 lbs/hr. This study compares leaf litter and soil samples taken in 1988 to samples taken in 1975 to determine the long-term effects of the smelter within the oak forest environment.
Soil samples taken from the top 2 cm (1 in.) range from 7,800 ppm lead near the smelter to 46 ppm at a distance of approximately 7.8 miles from the smelter. This range represents a 400 fold to 2 fold concentration over regional background of approximately 2 ppm lead.
Soil samples taken below 2 cm (1 in.) along a north-west traverse from the smelter indicate that high concentrations of lead, zinc, cobalt, cadmium, copper and nickel are noted to a distance of approximately two miles from the smelter. Beyond that distance, the concentrations diminish to near background levels within three miles. Comparisons of this data with the 1975 data show virtually no changes which suggest that no significant amount of accumulation of these heavy metals has occurred during this 13 year time period.
Associated with the 2-3 mile transition zone, a pH change was also noted. Low pH numbers (3.8-4.5) were observed beyond two miles.
In addition to metal content and pH, hydraulic conductivity, cation exchange, and clay mineralogy were determined to assess the characteristics of the region’s soils. The results of each of these tests suggest that the soil throughout the region is quite uniform; and therefore, the noted variation in soil H appears to be directly related to the smelter operation.
A comparison of pasture with forest soil samples show significantly higher pH and metal content within the pastures. This suggests that the cations have been selectively solubilized and removed from the forest environment through the actions of organic acids produced from the decaying oak leaf litter.
Stream and runoff samples were collected and analyzed for both cationic metal and metallo-organic complexes. Although absolute concentrations of the cations decreased, the percent complexing increases markedly downstream. Because the cations do not seem to be penetrating into the soil, it is concluded that the heavy metals are being solubilized and complexed by the combined action of natural mineral acids and organic acids; and carried away by the action of water runoff”--Abstract, pages ii-iii.
Advisor(s)
Ernst Bolter
Committee Member(s)
Robert C. Laudon
Cary L. McConnell, 1945-
Department(s)
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Degree Name
M.S. in Geology and Geophysics
Publisher
University of Missouri--Rolla
Publication Date
Spring 1989
Pagination
xi, 84 pages, map
Note about bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 62-64).
Geographic Coverage
Viburnum, Missouri
Rights
© 1989 Robert Elliot Bornstein, All rights reserved.
Document Type
Thesis - Restricted Access
File Type
text
Language
English
Thesis Number
T 5815
Print OCLC #
20160536
Recommended Citation
Bornstein, Robert Elliot, "Long term geochemical effects of lead smelting within the new lead belt, Southeast Missouri" (1989). Masters Theses. 721.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/721
Location Map of Soil and Water Sampling Stations
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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.