Graduation Year

1992

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.A.

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Department

Geography

Degree Granting Department

Geography

Major Professor

Robert Brinkmann, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Robert T. Aangeenbrug, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Mark B. Lindberg, Ph.D.

Abstract

Analysis of two hundred and twenty-four soil samples collected at logarithmic intervals on perpendicular transects adjacent to Interstate Highway 275 in Tampa, Florida revealed that thirty-five percent of the samples contained health-threatening levels of lead (greater than 500 ppm), although the pattern of contamination was not predictable. Twenty-two of the thirty-two transect locations extended toward residential areas and, of these, twenty contained soil lead values dangerous to humans. This analysis also revealed that soil lead does not decrease logarithmically with distance from the highway, as shown in other studies. Soil lead at 3, 9, 27, 81, 243, 729, and 2187 cm distances averaged 316, 305, 303, 403, 444, 295, and 212 ppm respectively.

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Geography Commons

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