Microscale Changes in Metal Speciation through Soil Depth
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Advisor
Nina Goodey
Access Type
Event
Start Date
26-4-2024 11:15 AM
End Date
26-4-2024 12:15 PM
Description
Soil metal contamination resulting from anthropogenic activity is a global issue. Metal contamination can decrease soil function and render a soil unable to support plant life, resulting in barren landscapes. Metal speciation plays a key role in how metals interact with the soil and it is important to understand how metal contaminants bind to the soil matrix. At Liberty State Park (LSP), a NJ brownfield on the banks of the Hudson River, there is an un-remediated section that is closed to the public because of high levels of metal contamination. LSP has both barren and vegetated sections and previous studies have shown a “metal cap” at a barren site where the metals are predominantly located at the surface (top 0-2 cm) layer. This project will focus on determining what the metal complexes are in the top 0-2 cm and bottom 8-10 cm cross sections of barren contaminated soil. Soil core samples will be collected and divided into 2 cm cross sections and analyzed using X-ray absorption spectroscopy, selective sequential extraction, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Combined, these methods will inform about soil-metal complex formation, revealing how the metals are distributed and attached within the soil. In particular, the mineralogy, speciation, and mapping of the contaminants will be done. These findings will provide insights into what causes metals to accumulate at the surface and prevent plant germination. These results are expected to differ between the vegetated and barren soil.
Microscale Changes in Metal Speciation through Soil Depth
Soil metal contamination resulting from anthropogenic activity is a global issue. Metal contamination can decrease soil function and render a soil unable to support plant life, resulting in barren landscapes. Metal speciation plays a key role in how metals interact with the soil and it is important to understand how metal contaminants bind to the soil matrix. At Liberty State Park (LSP), a NJ brownfield on the banks of the Hudson River, there is an un-remediated section that is closed to the public because of high levels of metal contamination. LSP has both barren and vegetated sections and previous studies have shown a “metal cap” at a barren site where the metals are predominantly located at the surface (top 0-2 cm) layer. This project will focus on determining what the metal complexes are in the top 0-2 cm and bottom 8-10 cm cross sections of barren contaminated soil. Soil core samples will be collected and divided into 2 cm cross sections and analyzed using X-ray absorption spectroscopy, selective sequential extraction, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Combined, these methods will inform about soil-metal complex formation, revealing how the metals are distributed and attached within the soil. In particular, the mineralogy, speciation, and mapping of the contaminants will be done. These findings will provide insights into what causes metals to accumulate at the surface and prevent plant germination. These results are expected to differ between the vegetated and barren soil.