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DEVELOPMENT OF A STRATEGY FOR SAMPLING TREE RINGS
Citation:
Riehl, J. DEVELOPMENT OF A STRATEGY FOR SAMPLING TREE RINGS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/3-79/030 (NTIS PB297760), 1979.
Description:
A method for determining retrospective pollution levels has been investigated. This method relates arsenic concentration in tree rings to arsenic-in-air concentrations based qualitatively on arsenic emissions from a nearby smelter, corrected for climatological and meteorological effects. To evaluate the validity of the method, a unique pollution study area was identified and characterized in detail. Several select trees were sampled and the arsenic concentration determined by neutron activation analysis. These concentrations were compared to certain known phases in the production history of the smelter, coupled with the expected climatology and meteorology of the area. Positive correlations were found thus satisfying the goals of the preliminary project. Major problems encountered were low arsenic concentrations and an inadequate number of samples. Recommendations for future studies are given.