TRACE ELEMENTS AS AN INDICATOR OF MATERIALS ERODED FROM SURFACE SOILS

Surface materials eroded during land disturbance are recognized as an important non-point source contaminant that affects water quality and increases the infilling rates of waterways. This study examines: 1) the use of trace element concentrations as a tracer of materials eroded from soils, and 2) the relation between changes in land use and sediment yield. This study examines adjoining drainages that empty into an embayment of O Shaughnessy Reservoir (near Columbus, Ohio). Agriculture was the dominant land use in each drainage prior to 1920. Residential subdivisions dominate present land use in one drainage, while the other drainage remains predominantly agricultural. Soil samples were collected from both drainages and sediment cores were collected directly offshore each stream in the embayment. Samples were analyzed for trace and major elements using x-ray fluorescence. Based on the study results, overall sediment accumulation offshore the residential area is four times larger than agricultural land use. Recent sediment yields from the more heavily developed drainage is almost ten times larger than other drainage.

Autorentext

Dr. Svitana has been an environmental consultant for over 25 years. He is full-time faculty at Otterbein College and is the chairperson for the environmental studies program. He teaches earth science, land use planning and environmental studies courses. His research focuses on hydrogeology and remediation of water resources.