Abstract
Toxic elements released into the environment through natural and anthropogenic processes can expose vulnerable populations especially children to adverse health risks. This study aims to determine the concentrations and spatial distributions of Pb, As, Cd, and U in 182 soil samples collected from playgrounds, parks, daycares and other sites between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana. The elemental concentrations of soils were measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Soil pollution status was assessed using geo-accumulation and pollution indices. The concentrations of toxic elements showed mean (min–max) (mg/kg) of Pb: 71 (4.6–939), As: 6.4 (1.3–51), Cd: 0.69 (0.04–19), and U: 2.1 (0.38–72). About 2%, 3%, and 8% of the soils exceeded the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) soil cleaning level guideline (mg/kg) of 3.9, 400, and 12 for Cd, Pb, and As, respectively. The mean geo-accumulation indices for toxic elements were below zero, suggesting no significant contamination. Pollution indices (PI) of U and As showed no pollution (PI < 1), and PI for Pb and Cd were 1.7 and 2.0, respectively indicating moderately polluted soils. This study shows the current contamination status of the studied elements in soils of southern Louisiana and identifies hotspots for Pb, As, Cd and U, which can pose adverse health effects especially to children upon chronic exposures.
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Raw data generated in this study will be available upon request.
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We are very grateful for the funding from the Louisiana Clinical and Translational Science Center (LaCaTS) awarded to Dr. Tewodros Godebo.
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All authors have contributed to the study. S.N: Sample collection, data analysis and interpretation, and manuscript writing. T.R.G: Conception and study design, grant acquisition and final manuscript revision. O.F.O., K.P., and M.K.T: Sample collection, Data analysis, and manuscript review.
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Nyachoti, S., Godebo, T.R., Okwori, O.F. et al. Occurrence and Spatial Distribution of Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, and Uranium in Soils of Southern Louisiana. Water Air Soil Pollut 234, 708 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-023-06716-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-023-06716-8