Heavy metal concentrations in soil
samples within the Saucony Creek active channel and floodplain
Bailey, Jacob, Nowicki, Amanda,
Morgano, Kelly, Guinan, Richard, Palkendo, Julie,
and Kraal, Erin, 2014,
Heavy metal concentrations in soil samples within the Saucony
Creek active channel and floodplain: Geological Society of America
Abstracts with Programs, Northeastern Section - 49th Annual
Meeting Lancaster, PA, (23–25 March), v. 46, no. 2.
This study examines the heavy metal concentrations in Saucony Creek
within the borough of Kutztown, PA located within the Schuylkill
River Watershed. While the area has a large agricultural use,
previous and current industries in the area (including battery and
casting manufacturing) as well as the proximity to coal power plants
could contribute to increased heavy metal concentrations. To
investigate heavy metal concentrations within the Saucony Creek
watershed, we collect a suite of six soil samples along three survey
transects perpendicular to the creek. Our preliminary investigation
focused on soil samples taken from a variety of fluvial geomorphic
environments including flood plain deposits, bank sediments, and the
active stream channel. The soil samples were prepared by acid
digestion (EPA Method 3050B) for analysis by flame atomic absorption
spectroscopy. Lead, cadmium, zinc, manganese, nickel, copper, and
chromium levels were quantified by use of external calibration
curves. For example, lead levels ranged from 0.03 to 2.6 mg/g (mg of
lead per gram of soil). Heavy metal concentration generally
increased with distance from the active stream channel. Lowest
levels were found within the active stream sediment. Interestingly
the sample transect with the lowest heavy metal concentrations was
located upstream from transects 2 and 3 (1.8 and 0.5 km,
respectively) which had much higher heavy metal concentrations. Our
study will continue to increase sample density with more transects
investigating both additional fluvial geomorphic cross sections as
well as potential locations for sources and storage of sediments
containing.
Heavy metal concentrations in soil
samples within the Saucony Creek active channel and floodplain