Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, 2010, Geology

The aims of this study were to: 1) establish the concentrations of Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, Sr, and Zn in arable soils in Wood County, Ohio, 2) determine if the fractions of sand, silt and organic matter and/or soil depth were related to the distribution of these trace elements, and 3) help establish trace element background concentrations in Ohio. Fifteen soil samples were collected at five depths using 10 cm interval from three locations within the former agriculture land. The grain size distributions in the soils were analyzed using a hydrometer. Organic matter analysis was conducted using a 3 % H2O2 solution. The soil samples were prepared for trace element analysis on an ICP-OES following EPA method 3051 A. Statistical analysis of the trace element concentrations, sand, silt, clay, fraction, and the percentage of organic matter were done using MINITAB 15.0 Statistical Software. The concentration of Mn, Ba, and Zn accounted for more than 82% of all the trace elements in the samples. The Co, Pb, Sr, and Cr concentrations did not change with depth, the Zn and Ba concentrations decreased with depth, and the Mn and Cu concentrations increased with depth. Statistically, Mn showed moderately significant correlation to Co and Cu, whereas the rest of trace elements displayed highly significant correlation each other. Similarly, Mn showed little association and no statistical significance to organic matter, whereas the rest of trace elements exhibited weak association and highly significant correlation. The trace element concentrations found in this study are lower than levels established by the US environmental agencies and are therefore not considered dangerous. The Mn, Ba, and Zn concentrations were probably elevated from the usage of fertilizers. Organic matter and clay content could be important parameters in controlling trace element concentrations and distribution in this study. However, since trace elements were relatively uniformly distributed in the soil profile (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Sheila Roberts PhD (Advisor); James Evans PhD (Committee Member); Enrique Gomezdelcampo PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Agricultural Chemicals; Biogeochemistry; Geochemistry; Geology