Heavy metals in the environment

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Journal of Environmental Quality

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1994.00472425002300030015x· OSTI ID:245329

Storm, G L ^[1]; Fosmire, G J ^[2]; Bellis, E D ^[3]

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1. Fish and Wildlife Service, University Park, PA (United States)
2. Dept. of Nutrition, University Park, PA (United States)
3. Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)

Concentration (Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu) in soil and wildlife at the Palmerton zinc smelter site in eastern Pennsylvania were determined 6 yr after zinc smelting was terminated in 1980. Levels of the four metals were higher in litter (01 and 02 horizon) than in soil (A1 horizon), and the metals were at or near levels when the smelters were still in operation. Levels of metals in sod weft highest at sites close to the smelters and decreased as distances from the smelters increased. The relation of decreasing amounts of metals in body tissues with increasing distance from the smelters also held true for amphibians and mammals. An exception to this relation was higher level of Cu in red-lacked salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) captured {approx}17 km downwind than those captured {approx}12 km downwind. Levels of Zn, Pb, and Co in liver, kidney, and muscle tissue of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) were not different (P >0.05) among sites. Cadmium in kidneys in white-footed mice exceeded 10 mg&& which is reportedly considered an indication of environmental contamination. Levels of Cd in kidneys and liver of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) at Palmerton were five times higher than those for white-tailed deer collected 180 km southwest of Palmerton in southcentral Pennsylvania. The abnormal amounts of metals in the tissues of terrestrial vertebrates, and the absence or low abundance of wildlife at Palmerton indicated that ecological processes within 5 km of the smelters were markedly influenced 6 yr after zinc smelting was discontinued. 41 refs., 5 figs., 4 tabs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 245329
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Quality, Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Quality Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 23; ISSN JEVQAA; ISSN 0047-2425
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AMPHIBIANS
CADMIUM
COPPER
DEER
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
LAND POLLUTION
LEAD
LIVER
MAMMALS
MICE
PENNSYLVANIA
SALAMANDERS
SAMPLING
SMELTING
SOILS
VERTEBRATES
ZINC