
%0 Journal Article
%A Lottermoser, Bernd G. 
%T Natural enrichment of topsoils with chromium and other heavy metals, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia
%J Soil Research
%D 1997/09/02
%V 35
%N 5
%P 1165-1176
%K topsoil, heavy metal, enrichment, serpentinite, pollution.
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/S96108
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/S96108 
%X Total heavy metal concentrations &#91;cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper(Cu), iron (Fe), mangnese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)&#93;were determined in surface soil samples from Port Macquarie, New South Wales,Australia. Composite topsoil samples (0&#8211;10 cm depth) had mean values(per kg) of 13 mg Co, 1020 mg Cr, 59 mg Cu, 136&#183;7 g Fe, 719 mg Mn, 149mg Ni, 20 mg Pb, and 47 mg Zn. The topsoils were generally characterised by alow pH (3&#183;8&#8211;5&#183;2) and a mineralogy dominated by haematite,magnetite, quartz, and kaolinite. Chromium was predominantly present in thetopsoils as Cr3+ in microcrystalline chromite(FeCr2O4) and, to a lesser degree,in kaolinite and haematite. Differences in Cr soil concentrations with depthwere due to variations in the relative abundance of the various soilcomponents, rather than Cr3+ mobility within the soilprofile. The elevated heavy metal concentrations are the result of soildevelopment over metal-rich bedrock (serpentinite matrix melange) andassociated enrichment of relatively immobile elements (Cr, Fe, Ni) in theresidual soil profile. The ANZECC and NH&#38;MRC (Australian and New ZealandEnvironment and Conservation Council and National Health &#38; MedicalResearch Council) environmental investigation limits were exceeded for100% of the sample sites for Cr, 47% for Cu, 61% for Mn,and 58% for Ni. 
