Maxim, Alexandra
(2019)
Urban Soils in a Historically Industrial City:
Concentration and Biogeochemical Speciation of Trace Metals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
The distribution of heavy metals in industrial cities is not well documented. As a result, fundamental details such as the “background” concentration of trace metals in urban environments are poorly constrained. Part of this gap results from a strong focus on the mapping of lead (Pb) contamination near roads and residences. This thesis focuses on mapping the distribution of urban relevant trace metals: Pb, zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd), within the City of Pittsburgh. A gridded set of 56 soil samples were collected and metal concentrations measured. In addition, a sequential extraction was used to determine the metal distribution among exchangeable, reducible and oxidizable biogeochemical phases in these samples. These analyses revealed distinct spatial patterns: Pb, Cd, and Zn concentrations are elevated in the eastern portion of the study area, particularly in low-lying areas along paleochannels formed following the last glacial maximum. The metal enrichment of the soil in these low-lying areas likely results from transport of industrial contaminants by dominant winds and the focusing of contaminants by temperature inversions. Using mixing analysis, contaminant sources were evaluated. Coking emissions were an important source of background metal contamination, particularly Cd. In addition, contributions from historical coal combustion and lead smelting influence soil metal mixtures. This analysis revealed that the industrial activities in the city of Pittsburgh contributes to the current metal enrichment that is observed in the soil across the city. This can inform urban development projects; planned redevelopment or remediation can avoid or anticipate contaminated areas (e.g. low-lying areas in the eastern part of the city).
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
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| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
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| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
25 September 2019 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
3 July 2019 |
| Approval Date: |
25 September 2019 |
| Submission Date: |
8 August 2019 |
| Access Restriction: |
5 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 5 years. |
| Number of Pages: |
47 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Geology and Environmental Science |
| Degree: |
MS - Master of Science |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
trace metals, urban soil, Pittsburgh |
| Date Deposited: |
25 Sep 2019 20:07 |
| Last Modified: |
25 Sep 2019 20:07 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/37343 |
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