Long-term changes in the elemental composition of soil and vegetation in the vicinity of a coal-fired power plant

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5700390

Gardner, D W

Soil pH and the concentrations of Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, SO{sub 4}, and Zn were measured at two depths (0-6 and 6-12 inches) from 1975 to 1983 in 48 study plots surrounding a 1400 MW coal-fired power generating facility situated in Minnesota. The foliar concentrations of Al, B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, S, P, Pb, and Zn were measured in agricultural crops and in 11 native tree species. The results show that in soils the concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn increased from 1975 to 1983, and that for Fe, Ni, and Zn, these increases were centered on the power plant, or occurred in the downwind direction. Similar increases were noted in vegetation. Foliar concentrations of Mn, Ni, and Zn increased in ash and elm growing close to the power plant. During the period 1975-83, B accumulation was measured in four species of vegetation (alfalfa, corn, ash, and aspen) surrounding the power plant. Increased foliar concentrations of B occurred primarily in corn and alfalfa growing within a 2.5 mile radius, and in alfalfa, corn, ash, and aspen growing downwind of the power plant. The accumulation of B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn in soil and/or vegetation was attributed to emissions from the power plant. The concentration of Pb decreased in both soil and vegetation from 1975 to 1983, and this decline was attributed to the reduced quantities of Pb added to gasoline during the same period. In soils, the concentration of SO{sub 4} declined overall from 1975 to 1983 as a result of lower emissions of SO{sub 2} from the power plant (and other sources in Minnesota). The acidity of soils increased from 1975 to 1983. Some of the soil acidification may have been due to emissions of SO{sub 2} from the power plant but most of the acidification was attributed to natural soil processes, fertilizer use, and cropping practices.

• Research Organization: Minnesota Univ., Minneapolis, MN (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5700390
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
510200 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACIDIFICATION
AIR POLLUTION
ALFALFA
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ALUMINIUM
ASPENS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
BORON
CALCIUM
CEREALS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
COPPER
CROPS
CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES
DEPTH
DIMENSIONS
ELEMENTS
EMISSION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FEDERAL REGION V
FERTILIZERS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
GRAMINEAE
IRON
LEAD
LEGUMINOSAE
LILIOPSIDA
MAGNESIUM
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
MAGNOLIOPSIDA
MAIZE
MANGANESE
METALS
MINNESOTA
MULTI-ELEMENT ANALYSIS
NICKEL
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
PHOSPHORUS
PLANTS
POLLUTION
POPLARS
POTASSIUM
POWER PLANTS
RAIN
SEMIMETALS
SODIUM
SOIL CHEMISTRY
SOILS
SULFATES
SULFUR
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
TREES
USA
ZINC