Lead Analysis in Soils and Sediments at the Saginaw Field and Stream Club

Abstract

Samples from the Saginaw Field and Stream Club in Saginaw County, Michigan, were collected to determine whether lead levels at the club shooting ranges pose a threat to the environment. Flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used to determine lead levels in soil and sediment samples digested for total lead as well as soluble lead. Lead was present at levels exceeding 10,000 mg/kg in some surface soil samples. In general, lead was pervasive at the site in both metallic and soluble forms. Each of the shooting ranges contains areas where lead occurs at concentrations significantly in excess of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality criteria and therefore poses a potential risk to the human users of the land as well as to the native wildlife.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the members of the instrumental analysis class at Alma College during winter terms 2004 (Karen Ault, Theresa Guinther, Brandon McNally, Ben Murray, Dan Rito, Paul Sibbald, Jim Wegener), 2005 (Kevin Beggs, Andy Brzezinski, Josh Rosenthal, Ashley Widrig), and 2006 (Kyle Gilde, Kelly Marks, Tom Montgomery, Erica Sandel, Melissa Sjostrom, Matt Stempki, Tim Swanson, Caleb Woods, Tessia Zawilinski). Preliminary work on the samples was performed by these students. The work was followed up and extended by the authors. Thanks also to the Saginaw Field and Stream Club for allowing us access to the site to collect samples, as well as for a grant to aid in acquiring materials and supplies for the analysis performed herein.

Notes

The authors were invited to contribute this paper to a special issue of the journal entitled “Undergraduate Research and Education in Spectroscopy.” This special issue was organized by Associate Editor David J. Butcher, Professor of Chemistry at Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina, USA.