THE DISTRIBUTION AND CONCENTRATION OF HEAVY METAL CONTAMINANTS AMONG PUBLIC PLAYGROUNDS IN MORGANTOWN, WV

Investigating the distribution and concentration of harmful chemical contaminants in urban environments is critical for protecting the health and safety of the occupants residing in these areas. Contaminants such as Pb, Hg, As, and Cr can result in a range of health issues depending upon the level and duration of exposure. Although acute doses of harmful metals such as Pb and Hg are highly toxic, it is now becoming evident that chronic exposure to low levels of these elements can also cause long-term health problems. Thus, the spread of these contaminants in urban settings has become a growing public concern.

To address this growing issue, this research examines the spatial distribution and magnitude of heavy metal contaminants (e.g. Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn) within soils located in Morgantown, WV. Because children are generally more sensitive to these contaminants than adults, this project focuses on public playgrounds and other public areas where children commonly play. Soil samples were collected from 11 locations. At each location, 5 representative subsamples (less than 2 cm depths) were collected and amalgamated from a 1 x 1-meter grid. Samples were dried and sieved to <75 μm before being analyzed by p-XRF (handheld XRF). New p-XRF data indicates that as distance increases from the city’s center, Pb concentrations typically decrease from 115 ppm to 19 ppm. Other elements, like Zn (53 - 177ppm), Cr (76 - 127 ppm), V (90 – 182 ppm), and Ti (3799 – 6956 ppm) show a similar decreasing pattern with distance. The highest concentrations of these harmful metals are observed in the Core Arboretum, which is a popular outdoor facility located near the downtown area.

All samples are below the EPA recommended thresholds (i.e. Pb - 400ppm, Cr - 3000ppm, Zn – 7500ppm, Cu – 4300ppm), indicating that no immediate remediation actions are necessary. However, chronic exposure to these low levels may pose a future health concern for residents. Ongoing research will focus on the Core Arboretum. Preliminary observations suggest that element concentrations (i.e. Pb) in the arboretum vary systematically with distance from the road and the Monongahela River. Potential sources of these elements are unclear, but likely reflect traffic patterns, past coal-burning operations, and industrial activities within the city.