Distribution of lead in biotic and abiotic media associated with a military shooting range
- Eckenfelder Inc., Nashville, TN (United States)
A comprehensive investigation was conducted at a military shooting range to characterize the distribution and potential toxicity of lead from shot deposited at the site over many years. Site biota (vegetation and small mammals), soils, surface water, and groundwater were collected and analyzed for total lead concentrations. Acute terrestrial and acute and chronic aquatic toxicity tests were performed on site soils and water samples, respectively. Results of the investigation indicated that surface water was not impacted by lead. Lead was detected in groundwater in concentrations up to 159 {micro}g/L, and was shown to cause chronic toxicity effects in test organisms. Site soils had lead concentrations up to 31,000 mg/kg, and lead was found above background in the deepest soil samples collected (12 to 24 inches). Toxicity was noted in the majority of soil samples analyzed. Lead was also detected in site vegetation (foliar portions) at levels above background, and in small mammals, but at fairly low concentrations (up to 4 mg/kg). As a relative indicator of the degree of transfer of lead between the site media evaluated, a series of concentration ratios were calculated. As a result, the ranking of the transfer of lead between site media appeared to be (in descending order): (1) surficial soil to roots; (2) surficial soil to subsurface soil; (3) vegetation (foliar) to mammals; (4) roots to vegetation (foliar); (5) surficial soil to vegetation (foliar); (6) surficial soil to mammals; and (7) subsurface soil to groundwater.
- OSTI ID:
- 392361
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9511137-; ISBN 1-880611-03-1; TRN: IM9647%%215
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) world conference, Vancouver (Canada), 5-9 Nov 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Second SETAC world congress (16. annual meeting): Abstract book. Global environmental protection: Science, politics, and common sense; PB: 378 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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