T40 Sources, Transport, and Fate of Trace and Toxic Elements in the Environment (Posters)

Sunday, 9 October 2011
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Hall C

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DISTRIBUTION AND CONCENTRATIONS OF HEAVY METALS IN URBAN- AND FORESTED-SOILS IN JERSEY CITY, NJ AND STATEN ISLAND, NY

Paper number: T40-7
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Authors

Abstract

Jersey City (JC), New Jersey and Staten Island (SI), New York share similar geogenic settings and environmental fates. Extensive urbanization and industrialization in the region have resulted in degradation of environmental quality since the beginning of the 19th century. Soils are proven to be useful tool to evaluate the overall surface environmental quality. This study compares the distribution and concentration of heavy metals in soils from urban (JC) and forested (SI) environmental compartments. Special emphasis is given to the fine-grained (< 63 µm: silt + clay) fraction of soil due to their potential risk to human and environmental health. In addition, the variation in heavy metal concentrations along the soil profile is discussed. The heavy metal concentrations (Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co) of soils were obtained using an Innov-X Delta handheld XRF.

The Pb, Ni and Co concentrations in both environmental settings (urban-JC and forested- SI) were comparable within 95 % confidence level, while the Cu concentrations in forested soils (SI) are significantly higher than those in urban soils (JC). Compared to the forested soils (SI), the Zn concentrations in urban soils (JC) are, however, slightly higher. In detail, the average ± standard error mean (mg/kg) of Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni and Co in top soils are as follows: 362±37 vs 344±120; 145±12 vs 376±106; 473±80 vs 157±31; 72 ±16 vs 83 ±19; and 14±1 vs 17±4 for JC vs SI, respectively.

The soil texture as well as distribution of heavy metal concentrations in the urban soil profile in JC typically reflects historical and prevailing anthropogenic activities, while the soil profile in SI can be explained by natural hydrological, biogeochemical and pedogenetic processes. This study highlights the complexity and vulnerability of urban surface environment.