Titre du document / Document title

Inorganic soil contamination from cemetery leachate

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

SPONGBERG A. L. ⁽¹⁾ ; BECKS P. M. ⁽¹⁾ ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾ Department of Geology, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606-3390, ETATS-UNIS

Résumé / Abstract

The increasing number of cemeteries has caused concern about the possibility of releasing hazardous chemicals and metals into the surroundings. Moreover, many studies use cemeteries for 'background' sampling. This study attempts to identify whether cemeteries are indeed good 'background' areas, or whether they themselves are sources of contamination. Possible contaminants include poisonous chemicals, such as arsenic and mercury, which were used in past embalming and burial practices, which used: formaldehyde from current embalming practices; varnishes, sealers, and preservatives used on wood coffins; and lead, zinc, copper, and steel from metal coffins. This study reports on adsorbed metals in a fine-grained soil from a large cemetery in Northwest Ohio. Metal analyses were performed by atomic absorption and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry. This preliminary investigation revealed numerous possible sources of contamination, and the data support the need for further research. The results of zinc, copper, lead, and iron reveal an increase in concentrations on-site as well as with depth, especially at the burial depth. Dramatic increases in arsenic indicate contamination from embalming fluids or wood preservatives. This study warrants a concern for the quality of soil, groundwater, and nearby surficial water systems.

Revue / Journal Title

Water, air and soil pollution   ISSN 0049-6979   CODEN WAPLAC 

Source / Source

2000, vol. 117, n^o1-4, pp. 313-327 (10 ref.)

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Springer, Dordrecht, PAYS-BAS  (1971) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Ohio ; Soil pollution ; Water pollution ; Ground water ; Surface water ; Heavy metal ; Chemical product ; Arsenic ; Pollution source ; Cemetery ; Leachate ; Chemical analysis ; Content ; Atomic absorption spectrometry ; Inductively coupled plasma ; Spatial variation ; Vertical profile ; United States ; North America ; America ;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Ohio ; Pollution sol ; Pollution eau ; Eau souterraine ; Eau surface ; Métal lourd ; Produit chimique ; Arsenic ; Source pollution ; Cimetière ; Lessivat ; Analyse chimique ; Teneur ; Spectrométrie absorption atomique ; Plasma couplé inductivement ; Variation spatiale ; Profil vertical ; Etats Unis ; Amérique du Nord ; Amérique ;

Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords

Ohío ; Polución suelo ; Contaminación agua ; Agua subterránea ; Agua superficie ; Metal pesado ; Producto químico ; Arsénico ; Fuente polución ; Cementerio ; Lixiviado ; Análisis químico ; Proporción ; Espectrometría absorción atómica ; Variación espacial ; Perfil vertical ; Estados Unidos ; America del norte ; America ;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 15302, 35400008169451.0210