Background concentrations of metals in wetland soils on and near the Savannah River site

A study was conducted to determine the naturally occurring concentrations of metals in unimpacted wetland soils at the Savannah River Site located near Aiken, SC. Soil samples were collected from three broad categories of wetlands: (1) large stream floodplain wetlands, (2) small stream floodplain wetlands, and (3) upland bays and depressions. Samples were collected from 75 locations to a depth of 3.1 m. All samples were analyzed for selected metals using EPA protocol and standard methods. Additionally, the pH, exchange capacity, and total organic carbon content of each sample was determined. Standard summary statistics were calculated and results are presented for each constituent. Box plots were also created relating metals concentrations to grain size distribution. Metals concentrations were found to increase with increasing silt and clay content. This increase in concentration was attributed to increasing cation exchange capacity and increasing organic matter content