Abstract |
Exposure to lead (Pb) can have serious implications on a person’s health, and a major pathway of exposure is from inhalation or ingestion of soil. Soil in urban environments contain Pb primarily due to historic leaded gasoline use and Pb paint, as well as other industrial sources. However, the extent of historic lead in soils is still unknown. Further, the risk of Pb exposure is also dependent on the speciation (chemical form) of Pb in soils, and what soils phases Pb is associated with. As part of an on-going case study of Pb speciation and distribution in Akron, Ohio, we aim to determine the relationship between Pb and soil minerals and organic matter. We have used Loss on Ignition (LOI) as a proxy for the amount of soil organic matter, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to determine the type and amount of minerals in the soils. Statistical analyses will be conducted to determine if any correlations exist between the amount of Pb (previously determined) and soil minerals and organic matter. These results could help determine the primary source of Pb in urban soils. Determining Pb speciation in soil can also help identify potential reclamation and remediation pathways.
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Modified Abstract |
Lead (Pb) is a toxic element and a major pathway of exposure is from soil. The Pb source is dominantly from historic leaded gasoline use and Pb paint. The risk of Pb exposure is dependent on the chemical form of Pb in soils, and what soils phases Pb is associated with. We aim to determine the relationship between Pb and soil minerals and organic matter. We have used Loss on Ignition (LOI) as a proxy for the amount of soil organic matter, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to determine the type and amount of minerals in the soils. These results could help determine the primary source of Pb in urban soils. Determining Pb speciation in soil can also help identify potential reclamation and remediation pathways.
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