Dendrochemical analysis of oak tree rings to yield a metal pollution history in Springfield, Missouri
Date of Graduation
Fall 2000
Degree
Master of Science in Geospatial Sciences
Department
Geography, Geology, and Planning
Committee Chair
Robert Pavlowsky
Abstract
Dendrochemical analysis offers potential opportunities for historical environmental monitoring. Oak tree rings at three polluted sites and one background site were used to determine the dendrochemical record of metals in the trees sampled. The concentrations of lead and zinc were analyzed using a microwave digestion system with nitric acid and inductively coupled plasma optical emissions spectroscopy. Tree core metal concentration increases with landuse intensity and inferred higher pollution rates. Tree ring metal concentrations did not appear to be related to soil metal concentrations. However, wood metal concentrations increased with the organic material content of the soil. Dendrochemistry was found to be an effective technique for pollution monitoring in Springfield, Missouri when its limitations are understood and taken into account.
Subject Categories
Botany | Environmental Monitoring | Soil Science
Copyright
© Heather Rache
Recommended Citation
Rache, Heather, "Dendrochemical analysis of oak tree rings to yield a metal pollution history in Springfield, Missouri" (2000). MSU Graduate Theses/Dissertations. 2872.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/2872
Dissertation/Thesis
