Abundance and distribution of Arsenic in Hawaiian soils and sediments
Date
2007
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Abstract
Arsenic is an element notoriously known for its toxicity even at low
concentrations and has been linked to considerable health problems when
groundwater supplies are contaminated. The purpose of this research was to
determine total arsenic abundance and distribution in the soils and sediments of
O'ahu, Hawai'i. Soils and sediments samples were collected from a variety of
environments with varying degrees of human impact. Samples were classified as
originating from locations of forested (conservation), agricultural, urban, or mixed
land use and then dried, ground, and digested in a strong acid solution.
Concentrations of Co, Cu, As, Cd, Pb, and U were measured using quadrupole
ICPMS.
Concentrations of As in all soils and sediments were found to range from 0.3
to 59.6 μg/g with a mean concentration of 11.1 μg/g. Soils from areas of mixed land
use displayed the widest range and highest median As concentration of 19.6 μg/g
while soils from areas of agricultural land use displayed the next highest median As
concentration of 13.0 μg/g. Strong correlation between measured concentrations of
As, Cd, and U suggest the origin of As enriched in the soils and sediments analyzed
to be derived from agricultural activity as proposed by previous research.
Concentrations of As measured in this research are generally higher than As
concentrations previously measured in streambed sediments from O'ahu, Hawai'i,
regardless of land use. However, mean As concentrations from areas of agricultural
land use are lower than those previously reported in streambed sediments and likely a
result of a different experiment design. The median As concentration in the soils and
sediments collected from forested areas (7.2 μg/g) corresponds well with the mean As
concentration reported for uncontaminated US soils of 7 μg/g although it is higher
than the reported world mean As concentration of 5 μg/g in soils. A total of 42.9% of
all soil samples exceed the CCME EQG for As in soils and 7.1% of all beach sands
exceed the CCME EQG marine ISQG for As.
Description
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arsenic, soil chemistry
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78 pages
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