Three Missouri Alfisols impacted by aeolian deposition of lead-zinc-cadmium-silver-indium bearing mine tailings
2009
Aide, Michael
Modern mining technologies promote the nation's gross domestic product and reduce environmental impacts; however, previous mining activities in Missouri have a legacy of soil contamination. This study focuses on Pb-Cd-Zn-Ag-In soil contamination resulting from a closed Pb-Zn mine at St. Joe State Park in Missouri. Metal contamination is the result of ancestral smelting operations and presently exposed tailings. Three soil profiles located adjacent to a closed mine-smelting operation and two reference pedons located outside of the study area were examined to determine the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Zn, Ag, and In. Aqua regia digestion and selective chemical extractions were employed to assess metal availability. The near-surface soil horizons show dramatically greater Pb, Cd, Zn, Ag, and In concentrations than deeper soil horizons or the reference loess-derived soil profiles. Surface Pb concentrations in the study area range from 224 to 589 mg Pb kg- 1, whereas the surface Cd concentrations range from 0.3 to 3.1 mg Cd kg- 1. Pyrophosphate and EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid) extractions demonstrate that a small to substantial portion of the total Pb and Cd pool is potentially available. Water soluble metal concentrations infer that the risk of metal leaching from the soil is minimal.
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