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Plant and animal species composition and heavy metal content in fly ash ecosystems

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Abstract

Plant and animal species present on a coal fly ash slurry pond site and a dry deposit site were surveyed and sampled during a two-day period in October. Elemental analyses were determined for most of the species encountered. A total of 48 plant species were observed on the two sites, with 35 species on the wet site, and 20 on the dry site. Eighteen terrestrial and 7 aquatic animal species were found on the wet site, exclusive of vertebrates which were not studied with the exception of a carp (Cyprinus carpio). Eleven terrestrial invertebrates and one aquatic species were observed on the dry site. Neutron activation analysis was carried out for: Se, Hg, Cr, Ni, Zn, Co, Sb, Cd, and As. Using literature values for phytotoxicity, we conclude that, in general, plants did not accumulate toxic levels of metals. Only one plant (Impatiens biflora Willd.) showed a significant level of Cd. Of 20 plants analyzed on the wet site, 10 had excessive Se concentrations (>5 ppm); on the dry site 6 out of 18 had high Se values. In animals (Gryllus sp.; Melanoplus sp.; Trachelipus sp.; Lumbricus terrestris; Physa integra; Cyprinus carpio) the trace metal concentration was generally in between that of control animals and that of the fly ash itself. One exception included Zn, which, although the most variable element examined, was concentrated in all the terrestrial animals to levels higher than in fly ash. Crickets are the most consistent bioconcentrators with Cr, Se, and Zn at higher levels than for control animals. All animal species studied accumulated Se compared to controls.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Oakland University, 48309-4401, Rochester, MI, USA

    Gottfried Brieger

  2. Cranbrook Institute of Science, 500 Lone Pine Rd., 48304, Bloomfield Hills, MI, USA

    James R. Wells

  3. Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, 48309-4401, Rochester, MI, USA

    R. Douglas Hunter

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  1. Gottfried Brieger
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  2. James R. Wells
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  3. R. Douglas Hunter
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Brieger, G., Wells, J.R. & Hunter, R.D. Plant and animal species composition and heavy metal content in fly ash ecosystems. Water Air Soil Pollut 63, 87–103 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00475624

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00475624

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