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The Significance of Heavy Metal and Organic Micropollutants in Soils.
McGrath, David McCormack, R.J.
McGrath, David
McCormack, R.J.
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1999-11-01
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McGrath, D., McCormack, R.J., The Significance of Heavy Metal and Organic Micropollutants in Soils, End of Project Reports, Teagasc, 1999.
Abstract
The southeastern region of Ireland, representing 22% of the
land area of the country, has been systematically sampled.
Soils have been analysed for a range of heavy metals and
persistent organics. These soils have now been archived and
are available for future analyses as required. Analyses
conducted to date, the results of which are discussed here, are
for soil parameters pH and organic matter, for major
components, aluminum, iron, and manganese, for trace
elements (heavy metals) arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt,
copper, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium and zinc and for
organics, hexachlorobenzene, hexachloro-cyclohexanes, and for
DDT and its metabolites. Other organics, polychlorinated
biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, were examined
in a proportion of soils.
Results have been statistically analysed and frequency
distributions have been calculated. Geographic distributions
have also been plotted and localized concentrations have been
found for most elements. Geochemical factors are considered to
be largely responsible for most of these localized concentrations.
Aerial deposition of lead and selenium was also indicated.
Historic usage of DDT and g - HCH was detected in soils with
different land uses.
Overall, little serious contamination of soils, especially that
caused by man, by toxic elements was evident. However, as
many as 21% of soils breached the provisions of the EU Sewage
Sludge Directive for heavy metals in soil.