Metals from Natural and Anthropogenic Sources in Puerto Rico Soils
Citation:
Aviles, J., D. Cuevas, D. Cutt, M. Maddaloni, K. Mishkin, C. Nace, R. Wilkin, AND R. Seda. Metals from Natural and Anthropogenic Sources in Puerto Rico Soils. U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC, EPA/600/F-18/382, 2019.
Impact/Purpose:
The purpose of this project was to investigate background concentrations of metals in the soils of Puerto Rico and create a database to help contaminated-site practitioners make informed decisions to protect human health and the environment. The existing data were limited since background samples were found for only 18 of 50 CERCLA/RCRA sites. Samples from 301 locations were evaluated and 2,058 results were deemed acceptable and used for this study. Next steps include: determining locations for future sampling based on soil types, geology, and current/past land use; and, collection of additional background samples.
Description:
This Science in Action provides an overview of preliminary studies to determine background metals concentrations in soils of Puerto Rico. A literature and database search was conducted to identify existing data. EPA records were reviewed for all Superfund and RCRA Corrective Action sites on the island to identify soil data for arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, silver, mercury, and selenium. Records from initial site investigations that were conducted to determine CERCLA National Priorities Listing candidates were also reviewed for background data. EQuIS™ and GIS were used to compile data and create maps and other products to graphically depict the background data and to make comparisons to known contaminated sites and geology.