Heavy metals in Jamaican surface soils

Abstract

A regional survey of Jamaican surface soils has been conducted in which more than 200 samples were collected at a sample density of 1 per 64 km(2) across the island and analysed for total concentrations of 31 elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The aim of the survey was to begin the construction of a high-precision geochemical database to provide information on elemental levels in soils for application to environmental studies, agriculture, and human and animal health. Results on the regional scale are presented for As, Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb. Although Jamaican surface soils are enriched in several heavy metals compared with world soil means and crustal abundances, lead is of particular importance at this stage because of its occurrence in residential areas. Except for Cu, the distribution maps of these elements are highly correlated with bauxite which in Jamaica is associated with white limestone geology and residualterra rossa soils.

Cadmium and zinc adsorption maxima of geochemically anomalous soils (Oxisols) in Jamaica

“…Total Cd values for the experimental (Manchester parish) soils (Table 2) are similar to those previously published by Lalor (1995) and Johnson et al (1996). Mean Cd (15 samples) = 102.5 mg/kg (range 13.6-191.8 mg/kg).…”

“…5-936 mg/kg). The mean Zn/Cd ratio was 10.3 (Lalor, 1995;Johnson et al, 1996). In the parish of Manchester, where the most intensive work has so far been done, mean Cd = 54 mg/kg (range = 0.56-931 mg/kg, 193 samples).…”

“…The limestones contain <0.2% insoluble residue (Comer, 1974). For the whole island of Jamaica a geochemical survey showed that the mean soil Cd content was 19.9 mg/kg (range 0.2-409 mg/kg; 173 samples) (Lalor, 1995;Johnson et al, 1996). The average for world soils is 0.62 mg Cd/kg (Ure and Berrow, 1982).…”

Additive and Interactive Associations of Environmental and Sociodemographic Factors with the Genotypes of Three Glutathione S-Transferase Genes in Relation to the Blood Arsenic Concentrations of Children in Jamaica

“…Jamaica has high levels of As in soils [ 56 , 57 , 58 ] as well as surface water [ 17 ]. Since the ability to absorb As in soil and water differs between plants [ 58 , 59 , 60 ], the food safety of agricultural plants is of concern.…”

Multivariate relationships and spatial distribution of geochemical features of soils in Jamaica

“…Heavy metals in soils of Jamaica, one of the world's leading bauxite producers, have been studied (Engel et al, 1996;Johnson et al, 1996;Lalor, 1996;Lalor et al, 1998). The geology of Jamaica is dominated by limestone that occupies about 2/3 of the whole island, and a simplified geological map of Jamaica is shown in Figure 1.…”