Cadmium in forest ecosystems around lead smelters in Missouri

Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.792823· OSTI ID:7033535

Gale, N L; Wixson, B G

The development of Missouri's new lead belt within the past decade has provided an excellent opportunity to study the dissemination and effects of heavy metals in a deciduous forest ecosystem. Primary lead smelters within the new lead belt have been identified as potential sources of cadmium as well as lead, zinc, and copper. Sintering and blast furnace operations tend to produce significant quantities of small particulates highly enriched in cadmium and other heavy metals. These point-source emissions, as well as a number of other sources of fugitive (wind blown) and waterborne emissions contribute to a significant deposition of cadmium in the surrounding forest and stream beds. Two separate draingage forks within the Crooked Creek watershed permit some comparisons of the relative contributions of cadmium by air-borne versus water-borne contaminants. Greater solubility, lower levels of complexation with organic ligands in the itter, and greater overall mobility of cadmium compared with lead, zinc, and copper result in appreciable contributions of dissolved cadmium to the watershed runoff. The present paper attempts to define the principle sources and current levels of heavy metal contamination and summarizes the efforts undertaken by the industry to curtail the problem.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Missouri, Rolla
• OSTI ID: 7033535
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 28; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510200* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
CADMIUM
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONTAMINATION
COPPER
DUSTS
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
FABRICATION
FOREST LITTER
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
LEAD
MATERIALS
METALS
MIDWEST REGION
MISSOURI
NORTH AMERICA
PARTICLES
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
SINTERING
SMELTING
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
USA
WASTES
WATER POLLUTION
ZINC