Characterization of Background Concentrations of Metals in Soils and Waters of the U.S. and Canada Using GIS. M. Jones, K. Kiefer, A. Fairbrother, J. Clark, and A. Green; Montgomery Watson Harza, Parametrix, Inc., and International Lead Zinc Research Organization
An important element in risk assessment is defining naturally occurring metal concentrations in the environment. Increasing the awareness and understanding of the role that metals and minerals play in defining natural systems requires a mechanism to display information in a presentation format that is easy to comprehend. While a great deal of information is available about the natural background or ambient levels of metals in both aquatic and terrestrial systems, it is buried in files, data tables, and difficult-to-read charts and graphs. The objective of this project was to create a comprehensive database of background concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc in the soil and water of the U.S. and Canada. This involved the most comprehensive effort to date for collecting background concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc in the U.S. and Canada. This comprehensive database was integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) that tied the data into a common coordinate system for spatial referencing. Thus, the GIS allowed the tabular data to be referenced to geographic features, such as rivers, lakes, and urban areas. Statistical analyses performed included contouring using interpolation methods, and regression tree analysis. Although this represents a thorough search for U.S. and Canadian soil and water background data, the GIS also helps highlight where data are lacking or are not spatially referenced. Use of GIS provides for visualization of the data as well as grouping data into areas of similar background levels. The GIS can be used in combination with ecoregion maps to delineate metalloregions that would provide a better understanding of naturally occurring levels of metals for use in site-specific risk assessments and bioassays.
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