Abstract
Surface runoff from rainfall event is an important indicator of metal mobility in soil, which may enhance non-point source contamination of soil. This study is designed to assess the mobility of soil-bound lead through simulated rainfall runoff experiment and its spatial distribution within the vicinity of a berm at a major military shooting range. Contamination was more significant at the impact area of berm, indicating threefold increase in Pb (17,500 ± 3811 μg/g) within a space of ten years. However, the non-impact area (459 ± 147 μg/g) was less contaminated. Other metals (Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni and Zn) analyzed were about background levels except for Cu at impact area. The enrichment ratio of Pb in runoff sediments was mostly high for the 0.43 mm sediment fractions independent of rainfall condition. Principal component analysis (PCA) biplot showed strong correlation between spatial distributions of metals around the vicinity of the berm (farmlands behind the berm) with concentrations on the impact berm soil. Surface runoff simulated on impact area soil had high concentrations of Pb (40.4 - 65.6 μg/mL) which could further lead to enrichment of soil-Pb levels within the vicinity of the berm. Decontamination measure is therefore required to minimize extensive contamination of surrounding soils of the impact berm due to rainfall runoff events.
Highlights
Soil contamination with toxic trace metals, is a major environmental problem largely attributed to industrialHow to cite this paper: Etim, E.U. (2016) Distribution of Soil-Bound Lead Arising from Rainfall-Runoff Events at Impact Berm of a Military Shooting Range
Lead from spent shot and Cu from bullet casings being the primary pollutant of concern in shooting range soils [2] [23]
Nearness of the impact area 75m mark to the 100 m firing line may explain the sharp rise in Pb levels due to dust fall from shooting activities (Figure 1)
Summary
Soil contamination with toxic trace metals, is a major environmental problem largely attributed to industrialHow to cite this paper: Etim, E.U. (2016) Distribution of Soil-Bound Lead Arising from Rainfall-Runoff Events at Impact Berm of a Military Shooting Range. Soil contamination with toxic trace metals, is a major environmental problem largely attributed to industrial. Activities at shooting ranges are gradually accounting for a significant source of this toxic trace metal contamination of soils [1]-[3]. Lead which is about 90% - 95% content of bullet [4] is the trace metal contaminant of primary concern and abundant in most shooting range soils especially at the impact berm (or bullet trap). High lead levels are usually concentrated at the impact berm soils of the shooting range where the bullet pellets are mostly deposited. Depending on soil conditions these corroded particles of metallic lead could be mineralized and transported by rainfall surface run-offs across large areas of uncontaminated soils resulting in contamination of arable farmland and aquatic ecosystems. Using rainfall simulators various rainfall run-off studies have been conducted to assess transport mechanism of metals and non-metal contaminants in soil environment [16] [17]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
