Spatial and temporal evaluation of metal concentrations in soils and sediments from new orleans, louisiana, USA, following hurricanes Katrina and Rita

Abel, Michael T.; Presley, Steven M.; Rainwater, Thomas R.; Austin, Galen P.; Cox, Stephen B.; McDaniel, Les N.; Marsland, Eric J.; Leftwich, Blair D.; Anderson, Todd A.; Kendall, Ronald J.; Cobb, George P.

doi:10.1897/06-595r.1

Cited by 12 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The study by Wang et al (2004) identified Pb concentrations in soil ranging from 31.7 to 5,195 lg/g, with an arithmetic mean of 784 lg/g (Wang et al 2004). For comparison purposes, Pb concentrations detected in our study of New Orleans soils (Abel et al 2007) ranged from 7.72 to 8,550 lg/g, with an arithmetic mean of 272 lg/g. Furthermore, a comprehensive effort from Xavier University provided two sweeping surveys for multiple metal accumulation in New Orleans soil.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

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Spatial distribution of lead concentrations in urban surface soils of New Orleans, Louisiana USA

Abel

Suedel

Presley

et al. 2010

Environ Geochem Health

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Immediately following hurricane Katrina concern was raised over the environmental impact of floodwaters on the city of New Orleans, especially in regard to human health. Several studies were conducted to determine the actual contaminant distribution throughout the city and surrounding wetlands by analyzing soil, sediment, and water for a variety of contaminants including organics, inorganics, and biologics. Preliminary investigations by The Institute of Environmental and Human Health at Texas Tech University concluded that soils and sediments contained pesticides, semi-volatiles, and metals, specifically arsenic, iron, and lead, at concentrations that could pose a significant risk to human health. Additional studies on New Orleans floodwaters revealed similar constituents as well as compounds commonly found in gasoline. More recently, it has been revealed that lead (Pb), arsenic, and vanadium are found intermittently throughout the city at concentrations greater than the human health soil screening levels (HHSSLs) of 400, 22 (non-cancer endpoint) and 390 μg/g, respectively. Of these, Pb appears to present the greatest exposure hazard to humans as a result of its extensive distribution in city soils. In this study, we spatially evaluated Pb concentrations across greater New Orleans surface soils. We established 128 sampling sites throughout New Orleans at approximately half-mile intervals. A soil sample was collected at each site and analyzed for Pb by ICP-AES. Soils from 19 (15%) of the sites had Pb concentrations exceeding the HHSSL threshold of 400 μg/g. It was determined that the highest concentrations of Pb were found in the south and west portions of the city. Pb concentrations found throughout New Orleans in this study were then incorporated into a geographic information system to create a spatial distribution model that can be further used to predict Pb exposure to humans in the city.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

“…Based on this finding, we continued investigating surficial soils throughout New Orleans, focusing particularly on Pb contamination (Abel et al 2007;Cobb et al 2006). It was determined that Pb concentrations intermittently exceeded the EPA soil screening criteria for human health throughout the city.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial distribution of lead concentrations in urban surface soils of New Orleans, Louisiana USA

Abel

Suedel

Presley

et al. 2010

Environ Geochem Health

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“…Bacterial exposure to toxic metals accelerates development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics 13, which could pose public health concerns. Subsequent research determined that contaminants were elevated in marshes near pumping stations 8 and that metal contamination of soils was widespread in greater New Orleans 14–17. Furthermore, available fractions of metals substantiated the potential for human and ecological health risks 15, 17.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lead distributions and risks in New Orleans following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

Abel

Cobb

Presley

et al. 2010

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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During the last four years, significant effort has been devoted to understanding the effects that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita had on contaminant distribution and redistribution in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, and the surrounding Gulf Coast area. Elevated concentrations were found for inorganic contaminants (including As, Fe, Pb, and V), several organic pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, and volatiles) and high concentration of bioaerosols, particularly Aeromonas and Vibrio. Data from different research groups confirm that some contaminant concentrations are elevated, that existing concentrations are similar to historical data, and that contaminants such as Pb and As may pose human health risks. Two data sets have been compiled in this article to serve as the foundation for preliminary risk assessments within greater New Orleans. Research from the present study suggests that children in highly contaminated areas of New Orleans may experience Pb exposure from soil ranging from 1.37 microg/d to 102 microg/d. These data are critical in the evaluation of children's health.

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“…Samples were prepared using US EPA method 3050 B and analyzed according to US EPA method 6010 B [26][27][28][29]. A thorough explanation of the sampling, preparation, analysis, reporting and moisture-corrected results are available in Abel et al [14]. To expand the data set, we included the Pb concentration data collected by Suedel et al [16] from Violet Marsh, an undeveloped area directly northeast of the ninth ward, with our Pb concentration data from metropolitan New Orleans to create a more thorough spatial distribution map.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, several government agencies and academic institutions, including United States Geological Survey (USGS), United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Louisiana State University (LSU), Tulane University (TU), University of Missouri-Rolla, and Texas Tech University (TTU), evaluated the environmental impact of the hurricanes on New Orleans, LA [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Each institution reported elevated occurrences of Pb in soil, sediment, or water.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contribution of Soil Lead to Blood Lead in Children: A Study from New Orleans, LA

Abel¹,

Suedel²,

Presley³

et al. 2012

JEP

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In recent years, a significant number of environmental studies have been conducted in New Orleans, LA and surrounding Gulf Coast areas due in part to the occurrence of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Data collected from studies in the New Orleans area indicate that inorganic contaminants including arsenic (As), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and vanadium (V); high concentration of bioaerosols, particularly Cladosporium and Aspergillus, and several organic pollutants (PAHs, pesticides, and volatiles) may pose a risk to human health in New Orleans. While many of these results resemble historical data, a current quantitative exposure assessment has not been conducted. We engaged in one such assessment for lead (Pb) contamination in surface soils. We used Pb concentrations in surface soils (<5 cmdeep) from New Orleans and quantitative data on soil ingestion using the USEPA terrestrial wildlife model to imitate lifestyle movement (e.g., school to home to daycare) to estimate child exposure to Pb contributed by soil. Our results suggest that Pb exposure from soil could range from 1.4 μg/day to 102 μg/day for our study area within urbanNew Orleans. These data are concerning because children exposed to >33.5 μg/d Pb may cause their blood-Pb levels to exceed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) threshold for blood-Pb of 10 μg/dL. It has generally been accepted that a more protective blood Pb concentration threshold of 6 - μg/dL is warranted. Using the 6-μg/dL threshold puts children exposed to as little as 20.2 μg/day Pb at risk.

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Spatial and temporal evaluation of metal concentrations in soils and sediments from new orleans, louisiana, USA, following hurricanes Katrina and Rita

Cited by 12 publications

References 16 publications

Spatial distribution of lead concentrations in urban surface soils of New Orleans, Louisiana USA

Spatial distribution of lead concentrations in urban surface soils of New Orleans, Louisiana USA

Lead distributions and risks in New Orleans following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

Contribution of Soil Lead to Blood Lead in Children: A Study from New Orleans, LA

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