The effects of lead shot deposition on soils and crops at a clay pigeon shooting site in northern England

Abstract

Abstract. The impact of lead shot on soils and crops was examined at a clay pigeon shooting site in northern England. Topsoil cores were collected along a 300 m transect from the shooting range, and the numbers of lead shot pellets per soil core, total and ‘plant‐available’(0.5m acetic acid extractable) lead concentrations, organic matter content, pH and cation exchange capacity were determined. The number of oilseed rape plants and their stem diameters were recorded in 1 m2 quadrats placed at the soil sampling locations. Total and ‘plant‐available’ lead concentrations in the soil were most but plant numbers per m2 and mean stem diameters were least in the area of greatest lead shot deposition. Total lead concentrations in the soil commonly exceeded 5000 mg/kg; these are considerably greater than threshold ‘trigger’ concentrations proposed by the Department of the Environment, above which soils are considered to be contaminated and warrant further investigation. Concentrations of lead in the oilseed rape plants themselves were also largest in the area of most intense lead shot deposition; in root samples the lead concentration exceeded 400 mg/kg. The management and remediation of contaminated soils at the clay pigeon shooting site are discussed.

The Distribution of Metals in Soils and Pore Water at Three U.S. Military Training Facilities

“…Most studies to date have examined lead at sport shooting ranges (Duggan and Dhawan, 2007;Scheinost et al, 2006;Sorvari et al, 2006;Vantelon et al, 2005;Soeder and Miller, 2003;Craig et al, 2002;Bruell et al, 1999;Mellor and McCartney, 1994;Stansley et al, 1992;Roscoe et al, 1989). Lead concentrations as high as 60,600 mg/kg from a backstop berm have been reported (Cao et al, 2005).…”

Lead pollution of shooting range soils

“…19 A decrease in plant density has been observed within a shot-fall zone with Pb concentrations of 1500-10 500 mg kg -1 . 20 Pb in plants has also been reported to reduce plant dry weight, photosynthesis, water absorption and root growth. 21 Botswana should not be an exception to Pb pollution in shooting ranges since it uses ammunition regularly for training at shooting ranges by the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Botswana Police Service (BPS), Botswana Prisons Service (BPS) and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.…”

Effects of Biochar on Soil Quality and Heavy Metal Availability in a Military Shooting Range Soil in Korea

“…However, shooting activities produce the soil contaminated with heavy metals such as Pb from the used bullets (Dermatas et al, 2006). Nowadays, a huge amount of Pb is being deposited in the shooting range soil worldwide at an annual deposition rate of 200 to 60,000 tons (Craig, 1999;Mellor and McCartney, 1994). Shooting ranges are commonly considered as the second largest source of soil Pb after development of the battery industry (Cao et al, 2008).…”