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Heavy Metal Soil Concentrations in the Urban Toledo, Ohio Area: Legacy of Human Activities

Burris, Karen R
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1610108035866699

Abstract Details

2021, Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, Geology.
Urban environments have a history of anthropogenic input of heavy metals to soils. Toledo, Ohio is an urban setting that has been altered through heavy industry and transportation dating back to the 1800s. Heavy metal contamination in soil has been shown to cause serious health effects in humans, such as brain damage, birth defects, cancer, and even death. A total of 137 Toledo soil samples were collected in collaboration with local Toledo schools, the Manos Community Garden, and a previous study completed by Stewart et al (2014). Stewart’s study samples and the local Toledo schools’ soil samples were collected by K-12 students through a hands-on citizen science project. The samples were analyzed to determine the concentrations of a series of heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, and zinc. The results revealed multiple samples with elevated levels of all six focus metals greater than the Ohio EPA’s soil background levels of the region. Two of these elements, arsenic and lead, had concentrations higher than the USEPA screening level for soils of this region in 73% and 7% of samples, respectively. Locations with elevated heavy metals concentrations in soils were mostly residential yards with older houses and within areas of high transportation. Therefore, the elevated levels of heavy metals were likely deposited from a legacy of human activities. Heavy metal predictive concentration maps of the Toledo, Ohio area were created to show possible areas of concern. The predictive maps showed a higher concentration of most elements in the Old West End area of Toledo. The findings were presented to the collaborating schools and in public forums to educate citizens about elevated heavy metal soil contamination in their area. They were given possible reasons for the contamination, explaining the harmful side effects of human activities on the soils. The health risks associated with the contamination were presented along with how to prevent health issues and how to take precautions around heavy metals.
John Farver, Dr. (Advisor)
Jeffrey Snyder, Dr. (Committee Member)
Margaret Yacobucci, Dr. (Committee Member)
102 p.
Education; Geochemistry; Geology
heavy metal; cadmium; lead; chromium; nickel; zinc; Toledo, Ohio; urban soil; citizen science; contamination; arsenic; education; safe soil

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Burris, K. R. (2021). Heavy Metal Soil Concentrations in the Urban Toledo, Ohio Area: Legacy of Human Activities [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1610108035866699

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Burris, Karen. Heavy Metal Soil Concentrations in the Urban Toledo, Ohio Area: Legacy of Human Activities. 2021. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1610108035866699.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Burris, Karen. "Heavy Metal Soil Concentrations in the Urban Toledo, Ohio Area: Legacy of Human Activities." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1610108035866699

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1610108035866699
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This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.