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Heavy metals in Jamaican surface soils.

A H Johnson1, G C Lalor, J Preston

  • 1Centre for Nuclear Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica.

Environmental Geochemistry and Health
|November 7, 2013
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Summary

Jamaican soils show elevated heavy metal levels, particularly lead in residential areas. Soil element distribution is strongly linked to the island's bauxite geology and associated terra rossa soils.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Geochemistry
  • Soil Science

Background:

  • Jamaica's surface soils were surveyed to establish a geochemical database.
  • Understanding elemental concentrations is crucial for environmental, agricultural, and health applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To create a high-precision geochemical database for Jamaican soils.
  • To assess regional elemental levels for various applications.

Main Methods:

  • Over 200 soil samples were collected across Jamaica at a density of 1 per 64 km(2).
  • Elemental analysis was performed using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF), and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS).

Main Results:

  • Regional data for Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Mercury (Hg), and Lead (Pb) are presented.
  • Jamaican soils are enriched in several heavy metals compared to global averages.
  • Lead (Pb) is notably prevalent in residential areas.

Conclusions:

  • Soil element distribution maps, except for Copper (Cu), correlate with Jamaica's bauxite deposits.
  • Bauxite is associated with white limestone geology and residual terra rossa soils.
  • The findings provide baseline data for environmental and health assessments in Jamaica.