A Comparative Study of Arsenic Concentrations in Montclair’s “Natural” and “Traditional” Lawns
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Advisor
Gregory Pope
Access Type
Event
Start Date
26-4-2024 2:15 PM
End Date
26-4-2024 3:15 PM
Description
Soil plays an imperative role in environmental and socio-economic issues. However, human activities have introduced various threats to soil quality, particularly through the extensive use of pesticides in both agricultural and residential settings, resulting in significant heavy metal contamination. This contamination not only affects the vegetation but also poses health risks to humans, especially children, who may ingest contaminated soil over prolonged periods. In New Jersey, historic pesticide usage has led to heightened concentrations of heavy metals in soils, further exacerbating health concerns. Lawns that do not require pesticide application, such as "natural" lawns, offer a potential solution to reduce soil contamination. To investigate this, soil samples will be collected from both "natural" and "traditional" lawns in Montclair, New Jersey, and their arsenic levels will be analyzed using an XRF spectrometer. The study will utilize multiple linear regression to explore the relationship between arsenic levels and lawn type, pH, and slope, providing insights into the effectiveness of different lawn management practices in mitigating soil contamination. Understanding the effects of lawn type on arsenic concentrations within the soil is essential for safeguarding human health, protecting the environment, and promoting sustainable land management practices.
A Comparative Study of Arsenic Concentrations in Montclair’s “Natural” and “Traditional” Lawns
Soil plays an imperative role in environmental and socio-economic issues. However, human activities have introduced various threats to soil quality, particularly through the extensive use of pesticides in both agricultural and residential settings, resulting in significant heavy metal contamination. This contamination not only affects the vegetation but also poses health risks to humans, especially children, who may ingest contaminated soil over prolonged periods. In New Jersey, historic pesticide usage has led to heightened concentrations of heavy metals in soils, further exacerbating health concerns. Lawns that do not require pesticide application, such as "natural" lawns, offer a potential solution to reduce soil contamination. To investigate this, soil samples will be collected from both "natural" and "traditional" lawns in Montclair, New Jersey, and their arsenic levels will be analyzed using an XRF spectrometer. The study will utilize multiple linear regression to explore the relationship between arsenic levels and lawn type, pH, and slope, providing insights into the effectiveness of different lawn management practices in mitigating soil contamination. Understanding the effects of lawn type on arsenic concentrations within the soil is essential for safeguarding human health, protecting the environment, and promoting sustainable land management practices.