Forms and phytoavailability of lead in a soil contaminated with lead shot : a dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Lincoln University
Forms and phytoavailability of lead in a soil contaminated with lead shot : a dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Lincoln University
Rooney, C. P.
Rooney, C. P.
Date
1996
Type
Dissertation
Fields of Research
ANZSRC::0503 Soil Sciences , ANZSRC::050204 Environmental Impact Assessment , ANZSRC::0607 Plant Biology
Abstract
Gun clubs are widespread throughout New Zealand but the environmental impact of Pb
shot has not yet been characterised in this country. This dissertation presents a study of
the extent of lead contamination in soil and plants resulting from the activity of a gun
club with a relatively small membership operating on arable farmland in Canterbury.
The study site has been used for over 60 years for clay target shooting.
The spatial distribution of lead concentration in the topsoil of a gun club site was
determined by carrying out a grid survey. Lead in the soil profile was also determined
to a depth of 20cm. A greenhouse study was conducted to assess plant uptake of lead.
Total, exchangeable, oxide-bound, organic-bound and residual lead concentrations were
determined by a sequential fractionation procedure.
The highest EDTA-Pb concentrations were found approximately 100 m from the
shooting area (ca. 6000 - 8000 mg EDT A-extractable Pb kg⁻¹ soil) with approximately
30% of the site area above the Australian & New Zealand Environmental & Conservation Council and National Health & Medical Research Council guideline limit
of 300 mg kg⁻¹. Little reduction in lead concentration was evident to a depth of 200
mm. The data confirms that shooting activities in New Zealand may cause locally
intense Pb contamination. Plant roots contained considerably greater concentrations of
Pb than the leaves of all plant species examined. Significant translocation of lead to the
shoots occurred, causing lead concentrations in the shoots to exceed the maximum
allowable limit for foodstuffs. Approximately 90% of the total Pb at the site is present
in the soil in metallic form, as Pb shot. Very little Pb is present as transformation
products and soil-Pb compounds, illustrating the characteristic low solubility of Pb.
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