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Access Type
WSU Access
Date of Award
January 2022
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
First Advisor
Shawn P. McElmurry
Abstract
Historical and contemporary use of lead (Pb) has led to elevated concentrations in urban soils. Many residential soils contain concentrations of Pb below typical remediation or cleanup thresholds (e.g. 400 mg/kg), yet they still present a risk to human health, with disproportionate impacts on urban children. Because of the diffuse nature of contamination, the typical remediation strategy – removal of Pb laden soil and replacement with clean topsoil – can be logistically and economically infeasible for urban families. Therefore, to reduce risk, many researchers have explored in situ remediation aimed at reducing lead bioavailability. The addition of phosphate amendments has received the most attention. However, concerns over the potential to enhance eutrophication of surface water bodies and the mobilization of arsenic have been raised. In this study, we explore the impact of randomized treatment of phosphate amendments on soils in the front, middle and back yards of 45 properties in the Detroit Metropolitan area. The concentration of lead (total and bioaccessible fraction), arsenic and phosphorus in soil was measured before and after treatment. Other commonly soil parameters (e.g. organic matter (OM), soil pH) known to impact lead bioaccessibility were also measured. Overall, the fraction of bioaccessible lead in soil was found to remain the same (37%) on properties where the amendment was applied, though there was some reduction in the bioaccessible lead in the backyard of the properties, though it was found to not statistically significant. The concentration of arsenic in soil did not appear to change as a result of the treatment. While the concentration of phosphorus increased in sites where the bone meal amendment was applied, the amount of phosphorus that leached from soil with a dilute acid solution intended to mimic rainwater was not found to be different between treatment and control sites (F(1,119)=0.125, p=0.724). Results do not support the use of our particular bone-meal amendment to reduce the risk of urban soil lead but shows that the amendment did not increase the mobilization of arsenic or phosphorus in treated soils.
Recommended Citation
Gowan, Conor Thomas, "The Impact Of Bone Meal Amendments Of Urban Soils Across Residential Lots In Detroit, Michigan" (2022). Wayne State University Theses. 901.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_theses/901