The effect of lead pollution has drawn much attention in the past two decades and has been proven to harm humans, plants, animals, and micro-organisms. Lead continually accumulates in the upper layers of soil surfaces and may be retained for up to 2000 years. This research was conducted to determine the lead in soils, where leaded fuel was and is currently used.  Lead concentrations were determined from soil samples collected at one airport and one gas station in Taney County, Missouri. The chosen gas station was picked, because it was a fueling station prior to the removal of lead from automobile gasoline. The particular airport was chosen, because it currently uses 100 Low Lead (LL) fuel. Soil samples were collected within two meters from the taxiway, runway, and apron of the airport. From the gas station, the soil samples were collected within two meters from the retaining wall around the fueling area. Multiple samples were collected from each location, digested, and heated in a 1:3 ratio of nitric to hydrochloric acid for twenty-four hours. The samples were then analyzed using an AAnalyst100 PerkinElmer Atomic Absorption (AA) spectrometer with an air-acetylene, oxidizing flame at a wavelength of 283.3 nm and a slit height of 0.7 nm. Preliminary results show an elevated concentration of lead in the collected soil samples. Further research is ongoing to verify these results.<br/>

Measurement of lead by atomic absorption spectroscopy from soil at an airport and gas station in Taney County, Missouri

251st National Meeting (2016)

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