Reconnaissance sampling and determination of hexavalent chromium in potentially-contaminated agricultural soils in Copperbelt Province, Zambia. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hamilton, Elliott M.; Lark, Richard M.; Young, Scott D.; Bailey, Elizabeth H.; Sakala, Godfrey M.; Maseka, Kakoma K.; Watts, Michael J.
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 247(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Chromium -- Hexavalent chromium -- SIDMS -- Speciation -- Mine tailings; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.125984
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: The distribution of elemental species of chromium (Cr) in potentially-contaminated soil samples warrants investigation due to the differing mobilities and toxicities of trivalent [Cr(III)] and hexavalent chromium [(Cr(VI)]. In addition, the possibility of species interconversions requires the implementation of robust methods that can correct for changes at the point of sampling, extraction and analysis. This work presents the application of speciated isotope dilution mass spectrometry (SIDMS) to accurately quantify Cr(VI) in agricultural soils within close proximity to a mine tailings dam in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia. Interpolated plots of total Cr, produced from data collected through a nested sampling design, were used to optimise the sampling across the spatial domain. Extraction of Cr(VI) was undertaken using a microwave assisted reaction system (80 °C for 5 min) with 50 mM EDTA, to complex Cr(III) and reduce the likelihood of oxidation during the extraction. Isotopically-enriched 53 Cr(VI) was added to each sample prior to extraction to account for species interconversions. The accuracy of the method was confirmed using NIST SRM 2700 and 2701. Cr(VI) concentrations in the soil samples ranged between 0.03 and 0.29 mg kg −1, significantly lower than the residential UK screening value for Cr(VI) of 21 mg kg −1 . The data indicate that this site poses a low environmental/human health risk with respect to Cr(VI) exposure. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Cr(VI) measured in agricultural soils next to tailings dam in Copperbelt Province, Zambia. Cr(VI) concentrations in samples were <2 orders of magnitude below UK residential Category 4 Screening Limit for Cr(VI). First application of speciated isotope dilution mass spectrometry for elemental speciation in agricultural tropical soils.