Bioaccessibility of Metals in Soils of Parks and Playgrounds – Fort McMurray, Alberta

This study assessed the concentration and bioaccessibility of metals present in soils at parks and playgrounds in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Sixty soil samples collected from 20 parks and playgrounds were analyzed for pH, total metal concentration by X-ray fluorescence. In addition, in vitro bioaccessibility assay (IVBA) was conducted for seven of the samples. The pH values of all soil samples were within the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment (CCME) soil quality guidelines for residential/parkland use. The mean metal concentrations were below the CCME guidelines; however, a few samples had metal concentrations exceeding the guidelines. These included barium (1), cadmium (1), chromium (1), and nickel (3). The metal IVBA values ranged from 9.5% to 79.6%. Based on metal concentrations and the IVBA, the human health risk associated with the ingestion of metals in soils in the parks and playgrounds sampled was deemed low.

Author dc:creator

• Abbas, Abdulganiyu

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Dodd, Matt

• School of environment and sustainability

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25316/IR-20417

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10613/28852