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Relation of nickel concentrations in tree rings to groundwater contamination
Author(s) -
Yanosky Thomas M.,
Vroblesky Don A.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/92wr00731
Subject(s) - nickel , aquifer , groundwater , dendrochronology , contamination , contaminated groundwater , environmental science , environmental chemistry , hydrology (agriculture) , geology , soil science , chemistry , materials science , metallurgy , ecology , environmental remediation , biology , paleontology , geotechnical engineering
Increment cores were collected from trees growing at two sites where groundwater is contaminated by nickel. Proton‐induced X ray emission spectroscopy was used to determine the nickel concentrations in selected individual rings and in parts of individual rings. Ring nickel concentrations were interpreted on the basis of recent concentrations of nickel in aquifers, historical information about site use activities, and model simulations of groundwater flow. Nickel concentrations in rings increased during years of site use but not in trees outside the contaminated aquifers. Consequently, it was concluded that trees may preserve in their rings an annual record of nickel contamination in groundwater. Tulip trees and oaks contained higher concentrations of nickel than did sassafras, sweet gum, or black cherry. No evidence was found that nickel accumulates consistently within parts of individual rings or that nickel is translocated across ring boundaries.