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Effects of zinc and cadmium pollution on forest vegetation

Journal Article · · Ecol Soc Am Bull; (United States)
OSTI ID:6267863
The town of Palmerton, Pennsylvania has been the site of zinc smelters since 1898. Sulfur dioxide and heavy metals, primarily zinc and cadmium, are incompletely recovered and escape into the atmosphere. Unusually high levels of zinc are found in foliage up to three miles, and in the soil up to ten miles, from the smelters. Blue Mountain, adjacent to the smelters, is sparsely vegetated or completely barren for about one mile east and west of Palmerton. The aim of this research is to study the fate of heavy metals released into the ecosystem, to reconstruct the vegetation changes which have occurred in the area as a result of pollution and fire, and to investigate the levels at which zinc and cadmium are toxic to some of the native plant species.
Research Organization:
Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, NJ
OSTI ID:
6267863
Journal Information:
Ecol Soc Am Bull; (United States), Journal Name: Ecol Soc Am Bull; (United States) Vol. 52:2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English