Warrington Environmental Pollution and Soil Health Risks

Warrington Environmental Pollution and Soil Health RisksReport on the environmental pollution and human health risks of flaws in the former industrial area of Woolston, Warrington.2.IntroductionAs a result of rapid population growth followed by intense industrial activity and petrochemical ripening soils have suffered from contamination with substances of various origins (E.M.Garcia et al,2015).As a result of rapid industrialisation of cities such as Manchester, newly constructed washbowlals were built alone over the UK in methodicalness to increase trade as well as the exportation of goods. In the 1820s, a new canal was established along the river Mersey with the purpose of shortening the highway of navigation through the meandering Mersey.3.Study site.According to Warrington borough council, the reinvigorated Cut Canal was opened in 1821. This 2km long canal was built in order to remedy the Mersey and Irwell navigation by creating a shortcut for barges carrying goods amid st Liverpool and Manchester. Historical ordnance survey maps from 1907 show an adjacent chemical works, a declamatory tannery, a flogging house, a metal works and a gunpowder mill. Sustained industrial activity meant that the canal down payment was undoubtedly polluted by spillages from ships and industrial effluents (Hartley and Dickinson,2010). future(a) the establishment of the Manchester shipping canal the New Cut Canal began to decline until it was left derelict (Warrington borough council) and eventually the Canal was disconnected from the river and aband unitaryd in 1978 (Hartley and Dickinson,2010). In that year, it was decided that the site was to be used for tipping under emergency procedures to deposit road construction rubble (Hartley and Dickinson ,2010). pursual this history, it has been estimated that the site contains 9800 tonnes of polluted anoxic sediment. It is know that this polluted sediment contains elevated levels of TPHs (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons), PAH s (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) followed by highly elevated concentrations of metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr and Ni) and Arsenic (As) (Hartley and Dickinson,2010).4.Methods4.1. Methods out in the field.4.1.1 Soil samplesTo bound the percentage point of soil contamination at the site, soil samples were taken at various points along the New Cut Canal site. It was decided that a systematic consume method would be used in order to record an adequate amount of data for the investigating. This sampling method had been chosen as it allowed one to determine the spatial pattern of contamination whilst limiting human errors (O1). Whilst at the site, transects had been established along the New Cut Canal site. Transects were established along a 700-metre draw out of the canal and each transect had been separated by 70 meters. In total there was 10 transects and along each transect,6 soil samples were taken approximately all(prenominal) 10 meters from the Northernmost point of the canal to t he southernmost point closest to the river Mersey.Soil samples from each sampling point were taken just below the coat but in order to prevent large organic materials from interfering with the soil investigations later it was decided that each sample should be taken and the large organic matter (Roots etc.) should be removed. This was done using a measuring tape and a spade. The soil samples had been gathered in plastic bags.4.2. Conductivity and impedance values within the soil surrounding New Cut Canal. 4.2.1. Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) using ERT (Electrical Resistivity Tomography)The ERI was used to show the potential mobility of run along and toxic metals within the soil by analysing conductivity data from the ERT and the EM-31. Conductivity measurements were taken using an ERT along a single transect measuring 35 metres between the New Cut Canal site and the river Mersey. The ERT takes conductivity measurements through a series of electrodes which are placed into the ground. formerly these electrodes had been implanted and connected to each another(prenominal) via multi core cables a current was so injected into the ground through these electrodes and as the current passed through the soil resistivity measurements were taken. Changes in conductivity reflect variations in subsurface materials and higher conductivity readings are associated with higher metal concentrations in soil pore waters. symbol 1 Below is an image that shows the standard frame-up of ERT. In this investigation the electrodes were inserted into the ground at distances of 2 meters apart. The transect of electrodes covered an area between the New Cut Canal and the river Mersey and was carried out at an angle of 0 (North to South). Image from Terra Dat http//terradat.co.uk/survey-methods/resistivity-tomography/4.2.2. Geonics EM-31 Ground Conductivity meter ERT maps out the geological variations associated with changes in conductivity (Exploration instruments) as well as th e EM-31. Unlike the ERT, the EM-31 gathers its readings by creating an electromagnetic field in the air using a coil wire which is separated from a receiver coil by 3.66 meters. The transmitted energy propagates into the subsurface where a second electromagnetic field is created due to the effect of soil moisture, conductive earth materials and other buried objects (Reynolds international,2011). The EM-31 is useful to this investigation as it can take conductivity measurements below 2 meters of the Earths surface. The data collected by both the EM-31 and the ERT could then be combined to determine changes in conductivity up to a depth of 3-4 meters.4.3. Soil sample experiments in the lab4.3.1. Determining total metal concentrationsFollowing the onsite extraction of soils samples, they were then taken to the lab for supercharge licking. Before any more investigations were conducted the soil samples were dried in an oven at 40C for 48 hours in order to remove all of the moisture. Ov en drying the sediment is crucial in this type of investigation as one can only compare the dry weight to the Soil Guideline Values (SGVs) (DEFRA, 2002). Once they had been dried, the soil samples were then processed further in order to analyse the total metal concentrations (Pb,Zn,Cr and As), bioavailability of those metals, organic matter content and soil pH. Soil samples were then sieved so that larger particles greater than 2mm in diameter were removed. After the samples had been sieved, analysis of the bioavailability of metals was conducted. 10g of sieved sediment was then added to a conical where 50mL of 0.5mol acetic acid was added using a measuring cylinder. Once the acid was added the flask was sealed with Parafilm and placed onto an orbital shaker for 30 minutes. Whilst the samples were shaken, 2 30mL universal sample tubes were prepped (2 for every sample) and a Whatman no 1 filter paper was added to each of the tubes. After the cylinder samples had been shaken, they wer e left to stand for 10 minutes in order for the contents to settle (Beneficial to the investigation as it sped up the filtering process). Following 10 minutes, the supernatant liquid in the cylinder was then added into the universal sample tubes through the filter paper. Once one of the tubes was full the second one was then introduced to the filtering process. Eventually both universal tubes were sealed and then analysis of the metal concentrations was conducted by Atomic Absorption spectrographic analysis (AAS).4.3.2. Determining organic matter (OM) contentSecondly, organic matter content needed to be measured, this was done using the loss on ignition method. This process began with the weighing of an empty porcelain crucible (W1). Soil was then added until it filled the crucible and was then weighed (W2). The air-dry weight was then determined by using the avocation(a) calculation W2-W1. The minute that this was done the crucibles for each of the samples was then oven-dried at a temperature of 105C overnight and then placed in a desiccator the following morning. Afterwards, the samples were then measured again (W3). The crucibles were then placed into a muffle furnace and ignited at 450C for 8 hours and left to cool on a sand tray. After this, the crucibles were weighed again (W4). This was done to burn off any of the Organic Matter (OM) content. Muffled weight was then determined by using this calculation, W4-W1. The final method involved a simple calculation, shown belowOM content (% of dry sediment) =oven dry weight (g) muffled weight (g) / oven dry weight (g) x 1004.3.3. Determining soil pHTo begin with 10g of soil was added to a beaker using a spatula where it would then be mixed with 25mL of deionised water using a measuring cylinder. The beaker was then stirred well until all of the material had been suspended (To allow the contents to mix) shortly followed by a 15-minute period whereby the beaker was left to stand. Following the 15-minute period a pH strip was dipped into each of the samples. Using a pH reference card, the colours recorded on each of the pH papers was noted.4.3.4. Determining Total (T) metal concentrations using XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy)Finally, 10g of each sample was added into a small plastic bag and then shaken until all of the soil reached the bottom. The bag was then placed onto the test bed and then the XRF machine determined the % values of Pb, Zn, Cr and As.5. Results 5.1. Figure 2 The table below shows all of the data collected from the field as well as metal concentrations in mg/kg-1 for each of the soils samples. OM or organic matter was measured in grams. Total Chromium concentrations when analysed however the concentrations were too low when measured using X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF).SiteIDxyOMpHPbTZnTCrTPbBZnBCrBA13630813890354.665.5029.00199.00nd0.0112.710.21A236308138896914.815.8015.0080.00nd0.091.900.20A336308738891915.286.0020.00130.00nd0.0111.950.26A43630643888676.2 64.70645.00417.00nd2.4435.990.45A536307038882310.674.5040.00205.00nd0.185.870.17A63630793887378.764.5058.00299.00nd1.0519.160.04B136313738902123.245.00178.0032.00nd0.4126.420.18B23631393889736.835.0079.0016.00nd0.010.010.18B33631403889417.025.00126.0024.00nd0.015.370.16B436314538888213.114.70128.0027.00nd0.019.920.11B536316038880810.164.7096.0026.00nd0.3010.230.15B636318638873113.574.70184.0032.00nd0.009.570.18C13631963889419.104.7073.0021.00nd1.558.200.22C236319438897510.605.00107.0019.00nd0.0111.020.31C336318538902211.205.0079.0024.00nd0.1510.720.24C436320538882813.104.7075.0020.00nd0.019.090.12C53632013888548.904.7093.0020.00nd0.2611.130.12C63631873888889.604.4095.0024.00nd0.018.710.16D13632513889697.516.10126.00298.00nd0.6961.880.41D236325038896510.555.80111.00278.00nd0.0117.750.20D336325638899911.455.50109.00312.00nd0.1618.380.16D436324738890712.926.1032.0045.00nd4.7536.600.37D53632503888989.325.0034.0056.00nd4.5025.350.30D63632523888873.864.4023.0032.00nd4.5927.910.34E13633983 889847.705.5038.00298.00nd0.5221.280.17E23633893889978.905.9055.00433.00nd0.2125.960.22E33633803890035.605.1038.00532.00nd0.013.600.15E436344538892911.204.5021.0056.00nd0.110.010.09E536344438891911.905.1019.0048.00nd0.580.420.09E636344738890712.105.2033.0063.00nd1.225.420.14F13635193889829.775.8033.00225.00nd2.0111.290.63F236351038901011.165.5022.00134.00nd0.3716.080.35F33635123890295.706.5055.00489.00nd0.0723.220.17F43635193889736.895.0037.00220.00nd1.7516.220.58F53635253889466.184.7021.0080.00nd0.010.010.14F63635333889236.754.4020.0052.00nd0.012.590.12G136357338905621.175.8043.00287.00nd0.0013.660.41G236356438903212.765.5045.00289.00nd0.0110.490.44G33635613890228.537.0032.00212.00nd0.099.900.34G43635643890018.325.0023.00176.00nd0.072.100.15G53635593890226.674.7021.0076.00nd0.052.300.17G63635693889658.354.7019.0034.00nd0.032.100.18H13636853890566.266.501047.001639.00nd16.5749.790.67H23636743890362.225.5049.001156.00nd0.1738.150.22H33636693890163.015.3046.00153.00nd8.7323.470.44H436 36323889814.965.0023.0077.00nd0.242.970.06H53636313889717.345.0031.00143.00nd0.466.010.11H63636323889594.845.0048.0078.00nd2.440.640.13I136369738901821.175.8032.00819.00nd0.7440.060.39I236370338904412.765.5051.00483.00nd1.6532.530.60I33636943890788.537.0032.00202.00nd2.1025.270.81I43637183889828.325.0023.0091.00nd0.489.230.12I53637203889816.674.7019.0068.00nd0.010.010.05I63637233889788.354.7031.00126.00nd0.017.460.09J13637753890036.266.5033.00224.00nd2.2226.490.80J23637703890532.225.5024.00104.00nd0.010.370.13J33637673891043.015.3036.00401.00nd0.4025.690.33J43637713889724.965.0024.00176.00nd0.0110.960.18J53637713889737.345.0023.00128.00nd0.0111.930.19J63637723889704.845.0017.0079.00nd0.014.300.09Figure 3 The image below shows the spatial pattern of Lead (Pb) contamination across the New Cut Canal site. The image was created using Arc Map software. It is put right that the highest levels of Pb were found around sample site A3-5 and H1-2.Figure 4 The image below shows the spatial pat tern of Zinc (Zn) contamination across the New Cut Canal site. The image was created using Arc Map software. Based on the spatial image, it is clear that the highest levels of Zn were found around sampling sites H1 and H2.Figure 5 The image below shows the spatial pattern of pH levels across the New Cut Canal site. The image was created using Arc Map. The most sulfurous pH readings were located towards the Southwest of the site whereas pH readings in the Eastern part of the sampling site increased to a pH of 5.3 and above.Figure 6 The graph below represents the changes in the Total (T) metal concentrations of various metals as well as indicating how bio available these metals are in the area.Figure 7 The luxuriant column below allows one to determine the bioavailability of Zinc as a percentage when compared to its total (T) metal concentrations for each of the sample sites. Upon observing the data, it is clear that (in name of percentage) Zn bioav