The Harding Street Generation Station near downtown Indianapolis is a coal-powered energy plant that could have adverse effects on the surrounding air and soil resulting from coal dust and ash. In particular, properties adjacent to the plant, such as the sampling site, could be at high risk for contamination. Dr. Mielke and I had concerns about possibly dangerous levels of heavy metals such as chromium, lead, or arsenic in soil, root, and plants. To determine the levels of heavy metals, soil, root, and plant body samples were taken in transects to quantify heavy metals and determine if these could be considered toxic. Soils were expected to have higher levels of heavy metals, while the roots of the plants, as well as the bodies, were expected to absorb a portion of the heavy metals from the soil and contain them for evaluation. Transects were predicted to contain higher concentrations of metals closest to the railroad carrying coal into the power plant, decreasing in concentration with distance. Heavy metals were examined by measuring their fluorescence using microwave-plasma atomic emission spectrometry after their digestion in strong acids as per the EPA Method 3050B. The analysis demonstrated no metals exceeding regulatory limits set by the EPA. In addition, samples did not have decreasing quantities moving away from the railroad track. Although, soil presented with the largest concentration of metals, followed by roots, and lastly, plant bodies.

Creator

• Joyal, Lauren

Contributors

• Mielke, Levi

Publisher

• University of Indianapolis

Language

• en

Identifier

• Joyal, L. Coal Railway Contamination.pdf

Keyword

• Baccalaureate 'with distinction'

• Strain Honors College

Date created

• 2016-02-12

Rights statement

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/