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Heavy metals: fallout around a power plant

Journal Article · · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es60076a004· OSTI ID:6184546
Attempts were made to determine how much land area might be burdened by fallout from a major coal-burning power plant on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. The land sampling grid included 45 sites, with two samples taken at each site. The samples were analyzed and the results revealed that soils found around the plant are enriched in Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Ti, and Zn. To gain some insight in to the possible entry of the discharged metals into the biota, samples of native grasses, maple leaves, and pine needles from four sites in the background region and four sites in the enriched region were collected and analyzed. The data show that plant material are enriched in Cd, Fe, Ni, and Zn. Soil enrichments correlate with wind patterns and with the metal content of coal except for Hg, which is only slightly enriched.
Research Organization:
Hope College, Holland, MI
OSTI ID:
6184546
Journal Information:
Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 7:4; ISSN ESTHA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English