HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS IN SOIL SAMPLES WITHIN THE SAUCONY CREEK ACTIVE CHANNEL AND FLOODPLAIN

This study examines the heavy metal concentrations in Saucony Creek within the borough of Kutztown, PA located within the Schuylkill River Watershed. While the area has a large agricultural use, previous and current industries in the area (including battery and casting manufacturing) as well as the proximity to coal power plants could contribute to increased heavy metal concentrations. To investigate heavy metal concentrations within the Saucony Creek watershed, we collect a suite of six soil samples along three survey transects perpendicular to the creek. Our preliminary investigation focused on soil samples taken from a variety of fluvial geomorphic environments including flood plain deposits, bank sediments, and the active stream channel. The soil samples were prepared by acid digestion (EPA Method 3050B) for analysis by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Lead, cadmium, zinc, manganese, nickel, copper, and chromium levels were quantified by use of external calibration curves. For example, lead levels ranged from 0.03 to 2.6 mg/g (mg of lead per gram of soil). Heavy metal concentration generally increased with distance from the active stream channel. Lowest levels were found within the active stream sediment. Interestingly the sample transect with the lowest heavy metal concentrations was located upstream from transects 2 and 3 (1.8 and 0.5 km, respectively) which had much higher heavy metal concentrations. Our study will continue to increase sample density with more transects investigating both additional fluvial geomorphic cross sections as well as potential locations for sources and storage of sediments containing