Effects of emissions from a coal-fired power plant on surface soil trace element concentrations

Abstract

Increase in trace element (As, Cd, Cr, Cu and Hg) concentrations in surface soils caused by deposition of emissions from a power plant was evaluated through field studies and model calculations. The enrichment discrimination factor (EDF) was used as an indication of the effects. Model calculations estimated that the maximum deposition of the elements would be located at a site 3 km north of the plant. The increase in EDF, ΔE, at the ssite due to cumulative depositions over 25 years was evaluated to be As:0.06, Cd:0.20, Cr:0.02, Cu:0.13 and Hg:0.08, respectively. In contrast, observed EDFs of each element at 30 sites within a 10 km radius from the plant fluctuated within the range far beyond the ΔE, and there was no statistically significant correlation among the EDFs as a function of distance or direction from the plant, suggesting that the effects of emissions lie concealed in normal ambient fluctuation of the element concentrations. © 1991.