T37 Recent Advances in Soil and Paleosol Science

Sunday, 9 October 2022
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Mile High Ballroom 4D

THE BREADBASKET PLATEAU: A PREVIOUSLY UNDESCRIBED AGROCHEMICAL PLATEAU IN THE MID-CONTINENT OF THE USA

Paper number: T37-9
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 3:35 PM – 3:50 PM

Authors

Abstract

Consciousness and bold action for our environment is a necessary step for a sustainable society. Progress towards this goal must begin with data and what we observe. And then, interpret what processes are taking place, and how does humankind affect them? Denial of environmental problems does not make them go away. Regional Geochemical Mapping (RGM), Landscape Geochemistry, here identifies multiple large geochemical anomalies that are described from the Mid-Continent region of the USA. Superimposed, the anomalies define a central, strongly elevated, region, a plateau. Maps of the spatial distribution of the 12 chemicals are available. Twelve chemicals were selected with the requirement that a Maximum Permitted Limit had been issued. Interpretations here are that the sources of the Plateau chemicals are fertilizers, additives, and pesticides/herbicides etc., and the reasons are several. No reasonable geologic source is present. Dominant is the physiography; the landscape as seen on the maps. No other potential source could spread chemicals so elevated, widespread and uniformly. Toxic Release Maps have been overlain on RGM maps showing release sites as point sources which diminish nearby. Agrochemical families can be identified in the data. $3B was spent on fertilizer in Iowa in 2019. The plateau is named the Breadbasket Plateau in honor of one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 54, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2022AM-382187

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