Scientific Investigations Report 2011–5202
AbstractA total of 664 soil samples distributed among different geographic regions and soil types were collected across Wisconsin to describe the distribution of arsenic relative to parent material, soil texture, and drainage class. Soils from 6 inches in depth were composited, digested in aqua regia, and analyzed for 17 trace elements. Observed soil arsenic concentrations range from a high of 39 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) to less than the laboratory detection limit of 1 mg/kg. Ten samples with soil arsenic concentrations greater than 8.5 mg/kg were determined to be significantly separate from the main cluster of the dataset. With these outliers removed, overall soil arsenic concentrations in Wisconsin have a median value of 1.8 mg/kg, and the 95-percent upper confidence limit of the mean is 2.4 mg/kg.
Soils with sandy glacial outwash as a parent material have a lower median arsenic concentration (1.0 mg/kg) than soils forming in other parent materials (1.5 to 3.0 mg/kg). Soil texture and drainage category also influence median arsenic concentration. Finer grained soils have a higher observed range of concentrations. For loamy and loess-dominated soil groups, drainage category influences the median arsenic concentration and observed range of values, but a consistent relationship within the data is not apparent. Statistical analysis of the 16 other elements are presented in this report, but the relationships of concentrations to soil properties or geographic areas were not examined. |
First posted March 15, 2012 For additional information contact: (608) 821–3856 Part or all of this report is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF); the latest version of Adobe Reader or similar software is required to view it. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge. |
Stensvold, K.A., 2012, Distribution and variation of arsenic in Wisconsin surface soils, with data on other trace elements: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2011–5202, 41 p., 1 app.
Acknowledgments
Abstract
Introduction
Purpose and Scope
Study Area
Methods
Site Selection
Sample Collection
Laboratory Analysis
Statistical Analysis
Distribution and Variation of Arsenic
Statewide Arsenic Distribution
Comparison of Soil Arsenic Concentrations Across Geographic Regions
Comparison of Soil Arsenic Concentrations in Soil Groups
Data on Other Trace Elements
Summary
References Cited
Appendix