Soil samples were collected from five sites in northern Illinois and analyzed for trace metal concentrations using ICP-OES and ICP-MS instruments. The sites showed varying levels of lead concentration, from 0.11-110 parts per million at a prairie site to 56-160 ppm at a sewage site. While high levels near a highway suggested contamination from leaded gasoline, the levels were not toxic. Going forward, the author plans to analyze metal levels in water samples and research ways to reduce contamination.

1. Denzel Akosa
Dr.Hatch
Chemistry
08/10/2016
Abstract
We have analyzed concentrations of trace metals in soil samples through the use of the
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and ICP-MS (mass
spectrometry) instruments. Soil samples were collected from five sites in northern Illinois:
Markham, which has a preserved prairie with a lead concentration range of 0.11-110 parts per
million (ppm); the Chicago Botanic Garden, 0.3-3.0 ppm lead; Mason Park in Evanston, 0.3-6.0
ppm lead; a sewage site in Chicago, 56-160 ppm lead; and Advanced Disposal, 0.2-0.3 ppm lead.
The concentrations of trace metals in soil samples are important to be aware of because humans
are exposed to soil on a daily basis, which could lead to health effects such as lead poisoning.
The results from the Markham prairie suggest a high contamination level of lead from soil
samples collected near the highway. However, these levels of lead were not high enough to be
toxic. The soil may have been contaminated by leaded gasoline due to the proximity of the
highway to the prairie. Leaded gasoline has not been used for over a decade; lead’s possible
presence in a preserved prairie makes us question the levels of contamination in non-preserved
areas. In order to continue to contribute to this field of research, I plan to collect and analyze
water samples for their metal concentrations as well as research possible chemical solutions to
reduce the contamination levels.