another wind rose for the period September 1973 to June 1976 (Williams,
1976). Once again a strong easterly component is depicted with a stronger
west to northwest component shown. Wothing can be said about the relative
intensity of the winds. These wind rose data are for 100 feet (30.5 m)
above ground level.

Another possible explanation for the differences in residue levels
between east and west is the location of the fly ash ponds to the west of
the power plant (see Figure 1). These ash ponds are connected to the three
venturi scrubbers on units 1, 2, and 3, Wangen and Wienke (1976) speculate
that the higher values found on transect A-A (Cannon and Anderson, 1972),
which runs due west from the power plant for approximately 2 miles (approxi-
mately 3.4 km), results from creep, saltation, and deposition of suspended
material from the dried ash disposal ponds rather than from stack emissions.

A look at Figure 2 shows higher residue levels for zinc, copper, and
lead approximately 2.9 km (Circle B) to the west. This is the approximate
location of the ash ponds. Cannon and Anderson (1972) analyzed the gray
wind-blown material they found deposited on soil and vegetation 1.6 to
3.2 km west of the power plant. They are not clear as to whether this
material was actually from the settling ponds. The results of these analy-
ses indicate average residues of zinc, 40 ppm; lead, 20 ppm; copper, 30 ppm;
and cadmium, 0.3 ppm. These residue levels are all higher than the overall
average levels reported in our study of 32.0 ppm zinc, 12 ppm lead, and 10
ppm copper. Only the cadmium residue level is below our overall average
cadmium level of 1.8 ppm, and cadmium is the one element in our study that
showed no peak at circle B to the west of the power plant (Figure 2), the
approximate location of the ash ponds. For the closer rings, therefore,
the Wangen and Wienke explanation may suffice. Whether this is a valid
explanation at distances approaching 30 km is questionable. Considerably
more information needs to be gathered than is currently available before a
satisfactory explanation can be made about the higher residues to the west
of the plant versus to the east of the plant. Another possible explanation
is as simple as abrupt changes in soil type.

The regression analysis was carried out to see if there was a relation-
ship between distance from the power plant and residue levels in soils. The
lack of significant regression of residue levels versus distance from the
power plant is not surprising. The plotted standard deviations in Figure 2
reveal wide variations about each of the averaged points. Further, as
Wangen and Wienke (1976) state, it can be expected that the impact on soils
of trace elements from the Four Corners Power Plant can be quite small in
relation to the natural trace element content of the soils.

Several of the trace elements reported in our study are likely to be
transported over great distances. Ragaini and Ondov (1976) have studied
particle size distribution emitted from four boilers at an unnamed western
power plant. ‘Two of the boilers had electrostatic precipitators with a 97
percent efficiency and two had a scrubber system that removed 99.2 percent
of the incident particles. The power plant had a total of five generating
units with a generating capacity of 2100 MW, a configuration remarkably

15


TABLE 4, ZINC RESIDUES IN SOIL BY SITE (ppm)

. y
Nunber Divection ai! A B c D E ey Mean Z beste ton
1 NNE =a a= 22,0 5700 29,0 =~ 34,0 36.0 18.5
2 NE --- 30.0 20.0 26.0 41.0 30.0 42.0 29.4 7
3 ENE 32.0 24.0 19.0 19.0 31.0 20.0 40,0 22.6 541
4 E 30.0 28.0 16.0 22.0 27.0 22.0 20.0 23.0 4.8
5 ESE 32.0 28.0 16.0 17.0 18,0 15.0 20.0 18.8 5.3
6 SE 46.0 32.0 26.0 19.0 32.0 21.0 16.0 26.0 6.0
Mean2/ 28.4 19.4 20.6 29.8 21.6
Standard Deviation” 3.0 4.1 3.5 8.4 5.4
Overall Mean 3/ 24.0
7 SSE 29.0 33.0 --- 21.0 18.0 34.0 33.0 26.5 8.2
8 S 33.0 23.0 33.0 --- 28.0 33.0 18.0 29.2 4.8
9 SSH 37,0 32.0 43.0 27.0 === 26.0 23.0 32.0 7.8
10 SH 34,0 33.0 60.0 26,0 40.0 34.0 32.0 38.6 13.0
rs WSW 33.0 44.0 50.0 38.0 40.0 28.0 --- 40.0 8.1
2 W - 20.0 30.0 54.0 32.0 32.0 38.0 39.0 37.2 9.9
13 WNW «55.0 48.0 48.0 40.0 36.0 67.0 39.0 47.8 11.9
14 NW 48.0 30.0 27.0 34.0 48.0 31.0 42.0 34.0 8.2
Mean 4/ 37.0 47.8 34.0 39.2 39.6
Standard Deviation Al 8.4 12.5 5.5 5.9 15.8
Overall Mean 3/ 39.5
15 NNW -- = 34,0 34.00 =H 34.0 0
16 N -—- 14.0 66.0 41.0 40.3 26.0
Mean &/ 35.7 32.0 32.1 31.8 32.9 32.0
Standard /
Deviation & 9.5 7.0 15,3 14.0 8.7 12.8 10.1 12.0

1/ Circle sampled in April 1976.

2/ Mean and standard deviation for radii 2-6.

3/ Overall mean for radii 2-6 and circles A to E.

4/ Mean and standard deviation for radii 10-14,

5/ Overall mean for radii 10-14 and circles A to E.

6/ Overall mean and standard deviation for each circle calculated using all radii.

7/ Mean and standard deviation for circles A to E only.


TECHNICAL REPORT DATA

-ase read Instructions on the reverse before completing)

[.REPOATNO. 2. 3, RECIPIENT'S ACCESSIONNO.
EPA-600/3-78-079 ia

aTiTLEANOSUBTITLE  S—SSS 5. REPORT DATE ~
TRACE ELEMENTS IN SOIL AROUND THE FOUR CORNERS POWER August 1978
PLANT 6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE

7, AUTHOR(S) lg. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.

G. B. Wiersma and A. B. Crockett

9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADORESS 10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory 1HD620
Office of Research and Development 71. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Las Vegas, Nevada 89114

12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS 13, TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Final

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency--Las Vegas, NV
Office of Research and Development

Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory EPA/600/07
Las Vegas, Nevada 89114

14, SPONSORING AGENCY CODE

45. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

76, ABSTRACT

Ninety-six soil samples were collected on a radial grid employing 16 evenly spaced
radii and 5 logarithmically spaced circles, concentric around the Four Corners
Power Plant. The soil samples were analyzed for zinc, lead, copper, and cadmium
by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. No statistical relationship could be detect-
ed between residue levels for the four elements and increasing distance from the
power plant. A two-way analysis of variance indicated no significant difference
among circles but there was a significant difference among radii for zinc, lead,
and copper, with higher residues of these elements consistently indicated to the
west of the power plant. Elevated levels of zinc, lead, and copper to the west
of the power plant could be partially explained by wind rose patterns and the
location of the fly ash settling ponds. Average residue levels for zinc, lead,
and copper are below average residue levels reported for other power plants.
Average cadmium levels are slightly higher than cadmium levels reported in the
literature for other power plants.

7. KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
fa. DESCRIPTORS lb. IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS |c. COSATI Field/Group
Zine Monitoring Four Corners, NM O7B
Copper Residues Coal-Fired Power Plants 08M
Cadmium Air pollution
Lead
Soil
Power plants
13, DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT 19. SECURITY CLASS (This Report) 21. NO. OF PAGES
UNCLASSIFIED 24
RELEASE TO PUBLIC 20. SECURITY CLASS (This page) 22. PRICE
UNCLASSIFIED A02

EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)


FOREWORD

Protection of the environment requires effective regulatory actions
which are based on sound technical and scientific information. This infor-
mation must include the quantitative description and linking of pollutant
sources, transport mechanisms, interactions, and resulting effects on man
and his environment. Because of the complexities involved, assessment of
specific pollutants in the environment requires a total systems approach
which transcends the media of air, water, and land. The Environmental
Monitoring and Support Laboratory-Las Vegas contributes to the formation
and enhancement of a sound monitoring data base for exposure assessment

through programs designed to:

. develop and optimize systems and strategies for moni-
toring pollutants and their impact on the environment

. demonstrate new monitoring systems and technologies by
applying them to fulfill special monitoring needs of

the Agency's operating programs

The report presents data on trace element distribution in soil around
the Four Corners Power Plant. The data are part of a larger effort to
determine the feasibility of using biological monitors to detect accumula-—
tion of certain trace elements around point source pollution. These data
will be considered by EPA and others in making decisions concerning control
of trace element emissions from coal-fired utilities. For additional infor-
mation, please contact the Pollutant Pathways Branch, Environmental Monitor-
ing and Support Laboratory-LV, P.O. Box 15027, Las Vegas, Nevada 89114.

Auagy Sige

Geotge B. Morgan
Director
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Las Vegas, Nevada


similar in many respects to the Four Corners Power Plant. The data reported
are particularly applicable to this study. Particles were classified into
small and large with the small particles having number median diameters of
0.06 um to 0.1 ym and the larger particles having number median diameters of
0.5 to 0.7 um. They found that the more volatile elements tended to con-

centrate on the smaller particle. Whereas the nonvolatile elements tended
to concentrate on the larger particles.

Ragaini and Ondov (1976) reported that zinc had a significant small
particle association. Enrichment factors in emission from both scrubbers
and ESP units for zinc ranged from 2 to 10 times the concentrations in source
coal. In a later report, Ondov et al. (1977a) determined enrichment factors
for trace elements in the power plant plumes, and reported that the enrich-
ment factor for zinc in the plume increases up to a measured distance of
20 to 40 miles (32.3 to 64.5 kilometers).

Ondov et al. (1977b) also found that several trace elements (among
which were zinc, lead, copper and cadmium) exhibited significant enrichment
in the fly ash as particle size decreased. These data supported the sup-
position that the elements reported on in our study are likely to be trans-
ported considerable distances downwind in the power plant plume, although
Ondov et al. (1977a) reported no plume measurements in the plume for lead,
copper, and cadmium. This larger downwind transport dispenses elements
over a considerably larger area, making detection of a relationship between
buildup in soils and distance from the power plant very difficult.

16


Hemphill, D. D., C. J. Marienfeld, R. S. Reddy, and J. 0. Pierce. Roadside

Lead Contamination in the Missouri Lead Belt, Arch. Environmental Health
28:190-194. 1974.

Klein, D. H., A. W. Andren, J. A. Carter, J. F, Emery, C. Feldman,

W. Fulkerson, W. S. Lyon, J. C. Ogle, Y. Talmi, R. I. Van Hook, and N. Bolton.
Pathways of Thirty-Seven Trace Elements Through Coal-Fired Power Plant.
Environmental Science and Technology 9(10):973-979. 1975.

Klein, D. H, and P. Russell, "Heavy Metals: Fallout Around a Power Plant."
Environmental Science and Technology 7(4):357-358. 1973.

Lee, R. E. and D. J. Von Lehmden, Trace Metal Pollution in the Environment.
Journal of Air Pollution Control Assoc. 23(10):853-857. 1973,

Lindberg, S. E., A. W. Andren, R. J. Raridon, and W, Fulkerson. Mass
Balance of Trace Elements in Walker Branch Watershed: Relation to Coal-
Fired Steam Plants. Environmental Health Perspectives 12:9-18. 1975.

Linzon, S. N., B. L. Chai, P. J. Temple, R. G. Pearson, and M, L. Smith.
Lead Contamination of Urban Soils and Vegetation by Emissions from Secon-

dary Lead Industries, Journal of Air Pollution Control Assoc. 26(7):
650-654. 1976, ~~

Ondov, J. M., R. C. Ragaini, A. H. Bierman, C. E, Choquette, G. E. Gordon,
and W. H. Zoller. Elemental Emissions from a Western Coal-Fired Power
Plant: Preliminary Report on Concurrent Plume and In-stack Sampling.
Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. Preprint UCRL-78825. 25 pp. 1977a.

Ondov, J. M., R. C. Ragaini, R. E. Heft, G, L. Fisher, D. Silberman, and
B. A. Prentice. Interlaboratory Comparison of Neutron Activation and
Atomic Absorption Analyses of Size-Classified Stack Fly Ash. Lawrence
Livermore Laboratory. Preprint UCRL-78194. 13 pp. 1977b.

Ragaini, R. C. and J, M. Ondov. Trace Element Emissions from Western U.S.
Coal-Fired Power Plants. Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. Preprint UCRL-
77669, Rev. 1. 10 pp. 1976.

Stark, N. B. and P. F, Harris. Studies of Trace Elements in Soils and
Plants from the Four Corners Area of New Mexico. Center for Water Resources
Research. Desert Research Institute. EPA-R4-72-007. 91 pp. 1972.

Wangen, L. E. and C. L. Wienke, A Review of Trace Element Studies Related

to Coal Combustion in the Four Corners Area of New Mexico. Los Alamos
Scientific Laboratory, LA-6401-MS. 53 pp. 1976.

Westinghouse Environmental Systems Department. Four Corners Power Generat-
ing Plant and Navajo Coal Mine. Environmental Report, pp. 1.1-19 to 1.1-41.

18

4U.S, GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1978 - 786-152/1267 Region No. Qn]


PERCENT OF TIME 15

WNW

WSW

0-3 46 7-10 11-16 17-21 21
[T
WIND VELOCITY IN MILES PER HOUR

Figure 3. Wind rose at 200-foot-level of tower at the Four Corners
Power Plant site — all observations for May 20 to December 11,

1973. Source: WESD from Intercomp data (Westinghouse
Environmental Systems Department, 1975).

13


analyzed in duplicate for zinc, lead, and copper. Single analyses were made
for cadmium using the same quality control procedures. Analyses were done
using a Perkin-Elmer 603 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.

Table 2 summarizes the results of acid blanks, standards, and spikes
for zinc, copper, cadmium, and lead. Acid blanks are the acid used for
extraction run with the samples. Standards, of course, are known values
run as samples and spikes are samples with a known amount of the element
analyzed added. The data were not corrected for spike recoveries.

TABLE 2. SUMMARY OF CONTROL SAMPLE FOR ANALYTICAL RESULTS

Cu Pb Zn Cd
Run I
xls _Run IT] _ Run I |] Run II {_ Run Tj Run IL {_ Run I
s.D.2|X + S.p.]/X + s.p./X + s.p./X + s.p./X + s.p.,/X + s.D.
Acid Blanks}0.02+ | 0.024 0.034 0.004 0.01t 0.02+ 0.002
(5 reps) 0.01 | 0.01 0.03 0.01 0.05 0.02 0.01
0.5 g/ml
Standard 0.504 | 0.50+ 0.504 0,502
(4 reps) 0.00 | 0.02 0.01 0.01 =~ --- ---
1.0 g/ml
Standard 1.014 | 1.024 1.014 1.01+ 1.014 1.012
(4 reps) 0.00 | 0.02 0.01 0.02% 0.02 0.02 1,00
2.0 g/ml
Standard 2.004 2.00+
(4 reps) => --- ted = 0.01 0.00 2.00
0.1 g/ml
Spike and
0.2 g/ml
Spike (%
recovery) 94.7 93.3 106.7 99.6 97.0 97.0 96.6

* Three replicates
1 Mean
2 Standard Deviation

RESULTS

Table 3 shows the results for lead by site. Included is the resampling
done at circles A and E and labeled A, and E,. A two-way analysis of vari-
ance (ANOVA) was performed for all circles afd radii 2 through 6 and radii


(Boulding, 1976). To compare any man-induced activity to wide-scale weather-
ing processes will automatically insure a favorable analysis for man's activ-
ities, because weathering processes take place on such an immense scale.
Their estimated elemental emissions are interesting, however, in a relative
sense, for the four trace elements that will be reported in this paper, zinc,
lead, copper, and cadmium. The data in Table 1 indicate the possible order
of mobilization for the four elements reported on in our study.

TABLE 1, RELATIVE MOBILIZATION OF ZINC, LEAD, COPPER AND CADMIUM
FROM FOSSIL FUEL COMBUSTION (BERTINE AND GOLDBERG, 1971)

Fossil Fuel Mobilization

Element Coal (x 10? g/year)
Zine 7.0
Lead 3.5
Copper 2.1
Cadmium ---

We chose the Four Corners Power Plant in Fruitland, New Mexico, because
of its large size (>2150 MW), its coal consumption [6.3 x 109 kilograms per
year (kg/y)], its length of operation (since 1963), and its relatively short
stacks (two are 76 meters (m) and two are 91m). In addition, the surround-
ing arid terrain (15 to 20 centimeters per year (cm/y) precipitation) is
undisturbed by cultivation.

There also exists considerable background information concerning the
Four Corners Power Plant. Billings et al. (1973), Billings and Matson
(1971) and Green and Robinson (1971) studied mercury emissions from this
power plant. Several studies have been conducted on the distribution of
trace elements in soil and vegetation around the Four Corners Power Plant
(Cannon and Anderson, 1972 and Stark and Harris, 1972). Wangen and Wienke
(1976) published a review of all trace element studies related to coal com-
bustion in the Four Corners area of New Mexico.

CONCLUSIONS

The study reported here is the most intensive soil sampling program to
date around the Four Corners Power Plant. Average concentrations of zinc,
lead, and copper do not appear elevated with respect to those found near
other power plants. Cadmium values reported in this paper are higher than
those reported elsewhere.


INTRODUCTION

There are indications that state and local air pollution control
agencies are becoming increasingly concerned about the possible environmen-
tal threat from trace elements emitted from coal~fired electric power gener-
ating plants (Lee and Von Lehmden, 1973). The total amount of coal burned
in recent years has been steadily increasing over the 500 million tons (454
million metric tons) consumed in 1970 and is likely to increase even more as
the policy of substituting coal for oil is stringently enforced. Because of
this increased potential for trace element emissions, it is logical to study
the distribution of these trace elements from coal-fired power plants.

This study was undertaken primarily to find biological monitors for
trace elements around the Four Corners Power Plant, but the data reported
in this paper for zinc, lead, copper, and cadmium are for the soil analyses
only. Vegetation data are still being analyzed and will be presented in a
subsequent paper. The results of mercury residues in soil around the Four
Corners Power Plant were reported previously by Crockett and Kinnison (1977).

Trace element distribution around coal-fired plants in the United
States has been studied at several locations, Klein and Russell (1973)
studied the levels of trace elements around a 650 megawatt (MW) coal-fired
power plant on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. They claimed to detect
enrichment for a variety of trace elements, including zinc and copper, two
elements reported on in this paper, and mercury, an element also studied in
this project but reported earlier by Crockett and Kinnison (1977).

Anderson and Smith (1977) studied mercury distribution around the
Kinkaid Power Plant in Central Illinois. They reported relatively high
mercury levels downwind from the plant.

Extensive studies have been carried out at the coal-fired Allen Steam
Plant (Bolton et al., 1973; Bolton et al., 1974 and Klein et al., 1975).
The major emphasis at the Allen Steam Plant was the development of a mass
balance for trace elements. Those portions of the project dealing with
soils showed little relationship of elemental concentration in soil with
distance from the Allen Steam Plant.

In an attempt to put trace element emission in perspective, Bertine and
Goldberg (1971) compared estimated elemental emissions with natural weather-
ing processes such as erosion. Their data must be viewed with considerable
caution since the emission estimates are based on only rough estimates of
elemental concentrations in coal and on the total estimated amounts burned


5%
10%
TOTAL 15%

Figure 4. Wind roses at 100-foot-level of meteorological — all
observations for September 1973 to June 1976 (Williams,
1976).


1

RADII OF CIRCLES- 1.0 29 6.8 14.6 & 30.0 km.

3 POWER PLANT
© SITES SAMPLED

Figure 1. Soil sampling sites around the Four Corners Power Plant.


United States Environmental Monitoring EPA-600/3-78-079
Environmental Protection and Support Laboratory August 1978
Agency P.O. Box 15027

Las Vegas NV 89114

Research and Development

SEPA cological
Research Series

Trace Elements

in Soil Around the
Four Corners
Power Plant

> >>


10 through 14. The F ratio for the circles was 2.27 (4/36 degrees of free-
dom, df) which indicates there is no significant difference in residue levels
among the circles. However, the F value for radii comparison was 6.06 (9/36
df) which is significant at the 99.5 percent level, This indicates that
there is a 99,5 percent probability that the average lead levels of at least
two radii are different. Further, an orthogonal comparison (F ratio = 46)
between radii 2 to 6 (to the east of the power plant) versus radii 10 to 14
(to the west of the power plant) indicated a highly significant difference
in the mean lead residue levels for those radii to the east of the plant
compared to those west of the plant. This result is shown graphically in
Figure 2, The points are averages of 5 radii that intersect the respective
circles (see Table 3).

Table 4 shows the results for zinc by site. A two-way ANOVA indicated
no significant difference among circles (F - 1.18 with 4/36 df) but a highly
significant difference among radii (F = 6.14 with 9/36 df). An orthogonal
comparison of radii 2 through 6 and 10 through 14 shows a highly significant
difference (F = 43.2). These results are shown graphically in Figure 2.

The plotted points are averages of 5 radii that intersect the respective
circles (see Table 4).

Table 5 and 6 show similar results for copper and cadmium, respectively.
A two-way ANOVA for copper data shows no significant difference among circles
but a significant difference is shown for radii (F = 3.52 with 9/36 df) and
an orthogonal comparison of radii 2 through 6 with radii 10 through 14 shows
a highly significant difference (F = 16.6). However, the cadmium data show
no significant difference for a similar statistical analysis.

Linear regression could detect no significant relationship between dis-
tance from the plant and residue levels for any of the elements studied.
This was true when all the original data were used and also when only radii
2 through 6 and 10 through 14 were used.

DISCUSSION

The overall mean lead results reported in our paper of 12.0 ppm are
below lead levels reported in the literature for other power plant and
point source emitters. Direct comparisons should be made with caution since
different sampling procedures and analytical techniques might have been used;
however, the studies cited below do provide a rough comparison for the lead
data reported in our study.

Lindberg et al, (1975) report on residue levels in soils around the
Allen Steam Plant. Their lead results varied from 5 to 100 ppm with an
average of 26 ppm. They report a world concentration of lead in soil of
12 ppm. Linzon et al. (1976) report on lead residues in soils in urban
areas around a secondary lead smelter and an urban battery manufacturer.
Lead concentration in soil around the smelter varied from approximately
250 ppm to a high of 21,200 ppm. Most of these samples were collected
within 600 m of the source. Similar data for lead in soil around the bat-
tery manufacturer show values ranging from 95 to 17,000 ppm. Further, their
overall average lead concentration for urban soils for the upper 2.5 cm of


TABLE 3. LEAD RESIDUES IN SOIL BY SITE (ppm)

Concentric Circle

. 7/

umber Disection ay! A B c D E oy vean! Devtation
1 NNE a = 58 330 9.0 = 19,0 15,9 14.9
2 NE --- 16.0 5.0 13.0 11.0 9.5 18.0 10.9 4.1
3 ENE 15.0 9.0 7.5 7.2 18.0 7.8 18.0 9.9 4.6
4 E 10.0 10.0 6.0 7.8 7.8 5.2 80 7.4 1.9
5 ESE 9.2 11.0 5.8 5.8 45 7.0 7.5 6.8 2.5
6 SE 12.0 8.5 11.0 7.0 9.0 45 9.0 8.0 2.4

Mean 2/ 10.9 71 8.2 10.1 ‘6.8

Standard Deviation! 3.0 2.4 2.8 5.0 2.0

Overall Mean 2/ 8.6 ---
7 SSE 7.0 11.0 --+ 7.0 6.0 6.5 34.0 7.6 2.3
8 s 9.0 7.0 14.0 11.0 11.0 8.0 10.8 2.9
9 ssH 10.0 11.0 18.0 10.0 --- 6.5 7.0 11.4 4.8
10 SW 12,0 10.0 23,0 14.0 22.0 9.8 9.5 15.8 6.4
ul wsw 6.0 17.0 22.0 15.0 17.0 8.0 --- 15.8 5.1
12 Ww 6.0 12.0 23.0 14.0 16.0 15.0 19.0 16.0 4.2
13 WNW --20.0:18.0 19.0 18.0 17.0 21.0 18.0 18.6 1.5
14 NW 19,0 11,0 14.0 18.0 18.0 6.2 19.0 13.4 5.0

Mean 4/ 13.6 20.2 15.8 18.0 12.0

Standard Deviation“! 3.6 3.8 2.0 2.4 6.0

Overall Mean! 15.9 --
15 NNW == = 19.0 12.0 --- -— 19.0 16.0 5.0
16 N --- === 6.0 22.0 16.0 --- --- 15.0 8.1

Mean £/ 11.3 11.6 13.3 13.6 13.0 9.1 15.2 12.0

Standard 6/

Deviation © 4.6 3.3 7.0 7.2 5.3 4.5 7.5 5.8

1/ Circle sampled in April 1976.

2/ Mean and standard deviation for radii 2-6.

3/ Overall mean for radii 2-6 and circles A to E.
4/ Mean and standard deviation for radii 10-14,

5/ Overall mean for radii 10-14 and circles A to E.

6/ Overall mean and standard deviation for each circle calculated using all radii.

7/ Mean and standard deviation for circles A to E only.


Residue levels for zinc, lead, copper, and cadmium are all higher to the
west of the power plant. The difference between east and west is statisti-
cally significant for zinc, lead, and copper. Wind rose data and location
of ash ponds provide a partial explanation for this phenomenon.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Analyze soil for arsenic and selenium levels by a reliable analyti-
cal method and report on results,

2. Analyze vegetation samples collected at time of soil samples and
report on the levels of trace elements of environmental interest.

3, Evaluate the usefulness of the plant species collected as biologi-
cal monitors for various trace elements.

SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS

The sampling design selected was a radial grid employing 16 evenly
spaced radii and five approximately logarithmically spaced concentric cir-
cles around the power plant (Figure 1). The radii of the circles (A-E) were
1.0, 2.9, 6.8, 14.6, and 30 km. From the 80 sites on the grid, only 70
composite soil samples were collected since some sites fell in the mine area
or in Morgan Lake. Each sample was a composite of 10 subsamples collected
15 m apart. The upper 1 to 2 cm of soil was collected by trowel and stored
in pint glass jars.

In addition, a second soil sampling was made in April 1976. Soil sam-
ples were collected at all sites on circles A and E. The purpose was to
serve as verification for the previously collected soil samples.

It should be pointed out that the San Juan Power Plant is located about
10 km due north of the Four Corners Power Plant. Its influence on trace
element distribution in the area is unknown. The road net within a 30-km
radius of the Four Corners Power Plant is not well developed. The majority
of samples were collected well away from any major road.

Ninety-six soil samples were acid extracted and analyzed by atomic ab-
sorption spectrometry. Twenty-five milliliters (ml) of concentrated nitric
acid was added to 10 grams of oven-dried (60 C) soil in a 125-ml Erlenmeyer
flask. The samples were boiled under reflux for 17 hours. The soil was
separated from the supernatant by centrifugation or filtration and washed
three times with distilled deionized water, The supernatant and washes
were combined in a volumetric flask and diluted to 100 ml. Sample extracts,
distilled water blanks, acid blanks, standards and spike standards were


REFERENCES

Anderson, W. L. and K. E, Smith. "Dynamics of Mercury at Coal-Fired Power
Plant and Adjacent Cooling Lake." Environmental Science and Technology
11(1):75-80. 1977,

Bertine, K. K. and E. D. Goldberg. Fossil Fuel Combustion and the Major
Sedimentary Cycle. Science 173:233-235. 1971.

Billings, C. E., A. M. Saco, W. R. Matson, R. M. Griffin, W. R. Coniglio,
and R. A. Harley, Mercury Balance on a Large Pulverized Coal-Fired Furnace.
Journal of Air Pollution Control Assoc. 23(9):773-777. 1973.

Billings, C. E. and W. R. Matson. Draft Report #1, Analysis of Mercury
Emissions from Unit No. 4, Four Corners Power Plant, Arizona Public Service
Company (Operations Agent) Fruitland, New Mexico, Environmental Science
Associates, Inc. 30 pp. 1971.

Bolton, N. E., W. Fulkerson, R. I. Van Hook, W. S. Lyon, A. W. Andren,

J. A. Carter, J. F. Emery, C. Feldman, L. D. Hulett, H. W. Dunn,

C. J. Sparks, Jr., J. C. Ogle, and M. T. Mills. "Trace Element Measurements
at the Coal-Fired Allen Steam Plant - Progress Report February 1973 - July
1973." ORNL-NSF-EP-62, 43 pp. June 1974.

Bolton, N. E., R. I. Van Hook, W. Fulkerson, W. S$. Lyon, A. W, Andren,
J. A. Carter, and J. F. Emery. "Trace Element Measurements at the Coal-
Fired Allen Steam Plant: Progress Report June 1971 - January 1973."
ORNL-NSF-EP-43, 83 pp. March 1973.

Boulding, R. What is Pure Coal? Environment 18(1):12-17, 36. 1976.

Cannon, H. L. and B. M. Anderson. Trace Element Content of the Soils and
Vegetation in the Vicinity of the Four Corners Power Plant. Southwest
Energy Study Coal Resources Work Group. 44 pp. 1972.

Crockett, A. B. and R. R. Kinnison., ‘Mercury Distribution in Soil Around
a Large Coal-Fired Power Plant." U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
EPA-600/3-77-063. 1977.

Djuric, D., Z. Kerin, L. Graovac-Leposavic, L. Novak, and M. Kop.
Environmental Contamination by Lead from a Mine and Smelter. Arch.

Environmental Health 23:275-279. 1971.

Green, J. A. and S. Robinson. Mercury Emissions from the Four Corners
Power Plant. Preliminary Report to the Interior and Insular Affairs
Committee of the United States Senate. 5 pp. 1971.

17


DISCLAIMER

This report has been reviewed by the Environmental Monitoring and
Support Laboratory--Las Vegas, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and
approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products
does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.


TABLE 5. COPPER RESIDUES IN SOIL BY SITE (ppm)

Radius a A Concentric Circles : a Standard iV
Number Direction 2 2 Mean— Deviation
1 NNE Seed 6.0 15.0 10.0 --- 12.0 10.3 4.5
2 NE -- 8.0 6.0 8.2 18.0 13.0 18.0 10.6 4.8
3 ENE 8.0 7.0 5.8 7.2 12.0 11.1 14.0 8.6 2.7
4 E 7.8 7.2 4.5 8.5 9.5 9.0 7.0 7.7 2.0
5 ESE 7.5 8.0 5.5 5.8 5.2 5.0 8.5 5.9 1.2
6 SE 10.0 6.0 8.8 8.0 11.0 8.8 8,2 8.5 1.8
Mean 2/ 7.2 61 7.5 Ill 9.4
Standard Deviation 2 0.8 1.6 1.1 4.6 3.0
Overall Mean 3 8.3
7 SSE 9.2 14.0 --- 8.5 5.8 12.0 12.0 10.0 3.6
8 s 11.0 7.0 10.0 --- 12.0 14.0 7.2 10.7 3.0
9 ssw 12.0 9.0 12.0 8.0 --- 6.8 8.0 9.0 2.2
10 SW 12.0 9.0 18.0 9.5 14.0 8.2 9.2 11.7 4.2
ll WsW 7.2 13.0 16.0 12.0 14.0 82 --- 12.6 2.9
12 Ww 7.5 10.0 18.0 9.2 10.0 11.0 14.0 11.6 3.6
13 WNW 16.0 14.0 14.0 12.0 12.0 16.0 12.0 13.6 1.7
14 NW 14.0 9,2 7.2 11.0 14.0 9.8 12.0 10.2 2.5
Mean 4/ 11.0 14,6 10.7 12.8 10.6
Standard Deviation 4/ 2.3 4.5143 183.2
Overall Mean Sf
15 NNW --- --- 14.0 11.0 -_—- --- 13.0 12.5 2.1
16 N soo 5.0 17.0 14.0 --- --- 12.0 6.2

6/

Mean — 10.2 9.3 10.3 10.1 11.5 10.2 11.1 10.0

Standard /

Deviation — 2.9 2.7 4.9 3.0 3.4 3.0 3.2 3.5

1/ Circle sampled in April 1976.

2/ Mean and standard deviation for radii 2-6.

3/ Overall mean for radii 2-6 and circles A to E.

4/ Mean and standard deviation for radii 10-14.

5/ Overall mean for radii 10-14 and circles A to E.

6/ Overall mean and standard deviation for each circle calculated using all radii.

7/ Mean and standard deviation for circles A to E only.

10


soil is 292 ppm, Similar levels were found in Yugoslavia (Djuric et al.,
1971). Wemphill et al. (1974) found lead residue alongside ore truck
routes in lead mining areas to range from 36.0 to 809.0 ppm.

Wangen and Wienke (1976) present composite data from a variety of
investigators at the Four Corners Power Plant (exclusive of our report).
They report lead data in the upper 5 cm of soil to range from 5 to 21 ppm,

This compares favorably with overall average lead levels shown in Table 3
of 12.0 ppm.

Zinc residues in soil (Table 4) have an overall average of 32.0 ppm.
Results from Lindberg et al. (1975) around the Allen Steam Plant show zinc
residues in soil ranging from 256 to 711 ppm with an average concentration
of 458 ppm. They report a world background level of 50 ppm. Linzon et al.
(1976) report zinc levels in urban soils of 154 ppm, Wangen and Wienke
(1976) report from their review of literature at the Four Corners Power
Plant a composite picture of zine concentration in soil ranging from 9 to
57 ppm. The results for zinc reported by Wangen and Wienke (1976) compare
favorably with our overall average of 32.0 ppm of zinc in soil, but this
figure is considerably below residue levels reported for other areas,

The overall average copper values in our study were 10.0 ppm. This is
slightly lower than previously reported copper residues in soil around the
Four Corners Power Plant which ranged from 12 to 37 ppm (Wangen and Wienke,
1976) and considerably lower than copper levels around the Allen Steam Plant
which ranged from 16 ppm to 64 ppm with an average concentration of 28 ppm
(Lindberg et al., 1975). Copper levels in urban soils of 33.2 ppm (Linzon
et al., 1976) are three times the copper levels found in our study.

The overall average cadmium residue from our study was 1.8 ppm (Table
6). This value is higher than residue levels reported for cadmium in soil
given by Wangen and Wienke (1976). They indicate some uncertainty in the
reported cadmium residue levels with approximate values ranging from 0.2 to
0.75 ppm. Our cadmium residues are higher than at the Allen Steam Plant.
Lindberg et al., (1975) report 0.3 to 4.0 ppm of cadmium in soil with an
average concentration of 1.4 ppm, They report a world concentration of
cadmium in similar soil of 0.5 ppm. Linzon et al. (1976) report urban
cadmium levels of 2.3 ppm.

The difference in mean residue levels detected between radii to the
east of the power plant versus radii to the west for lead, zinc, and copper
cannot be ignored. A review of Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 will indicate the
average residue level to the west of the plant is always greater than to
the east (cadmium results are not statistically significant for all
elements). One possible explanation deals with prevailing wind patterns
around the Four Corners Power Plant. Figure '3 shows wind rose data for all
observations from 200 feet [61 meters (m)] elevation for the period May 20
to December 11, 1973. These data show the wind to have had a very strong
easterly component. This easterly component had a much higher percent
occurrence of high winds than the west to northwest components show
(Westinghouse Environmental Systems Department, 1975). Figure 4 shows

12


EPA-600/3-78-079
August 1978

TRACE ELEMENTS IN SOIL AROUND THE FOUR CORNERS POWER PLANT

G. B. Wiersma and A. B. Crockett
Monitoring Systems Research and Development Division
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
P.O. Box 15027
Las Vegas, Nevada 89114

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND SUPPORT LABORATORY
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89114


RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES

Research reports of the Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, have been grouped into nine series. These nine broad categories
were established to facilitate further development and application of environmental
technology. Elimination of traditional grouping was consciously planned to foster
technology transfer and a maximim interface in related fields. The nine sereies are:

1 Environmental Health Effects Research

2. Environmental Protection Technology

3. Ecological Research

4. Environmental Monitoring

5. Socioeconomic Environmental Studies

6. Scientific and Technical Assessment Reports (STAR)

7. Interagency Energy—Environment Research and Development
8. “Special’’ Reports

9. Miscellaneous Reports

This report has been assigned to the ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH series. This series
describes research on the effects of pollution on humans,plant and animal species, and
materials. Problems are assessed for their long-and short-term influences. Investiga-
tions include formations, transport, and pathway studies to determine the fate of
pollutants and their effects. This work provided the technical basis for setting standards
to minimize undesirable changes in living organisms in the aquatic, terrestrial, and
atmospheric environments.

This document is available to the public through the National Technical Information
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161


RESIDUES IN SOIL (ppm)

—-— LEAD
— ZINC
-—~ COPPER
— caDMiUuM

C 0
KILOMETERS TO EAST
5 10 15 20 25 30

Figure 2. Mean residue levels for lead, zinc, copper and cadmium to the
east and west of the power plant.


TABLE 6. CADMIUM RESIDUES IN SOIL BY SITE (ppm)

Radius eu n Concentric Circles hl Standard i/
Number Direction 2 2 Mean— Deviation
1 NNE === = 010260 == 2.01.0 0.0
2 NE === 1450 25 35 3.5 160 1.5 2.4 Ll
3 ENE 2.0 1.0 0.5 3.0 2.0 1.0 20 1.5 1.0
4 E 1.0 1.0 0.5 1.0 1.0 45 05 1.6 1.6
5 BSE 1.0 1.0 2.0 1.5 2.5 0.5 15 15 0.8
6 SE 1.5 1.0 1.0 15 1.0 1.0 1.0 Il 0.2
Mean 2/ Ll 1.3 21 20 16
Standard Deviation 2/ 0.20.9 «so1elssdLels16
Overall Mean 3/ 1.6
7 SSE 1.0 165 == 145 1,0 1.0 25 1.2 0.3
8 S$ 30 15 25 -- 1.5 2.0 25 1.9 0.5
9 SSH 15 3.50 «165 200 2 la
10 sw o1S 1S 200 2S 8B 0.6
uu WW «1602001010 55S OD 1.9
12 W 10-25 1.5 2.0 2.0 20 5.5 2.0 0.3
13 WW «145 «145-160 3.020 3452022 1.0
14 NY 2.0 165 «160 3.0 30-1525 20 0.9
Mean 4! 18 11 2.2 3.1 21
Standard Deviation “/ 0.5 0.3. 1.0 1.6 0.9
Overall Mean 2/ 2.1
1s WWW = 101020 0
16 No = 60 S20 8D 2.5
Mean ©! 1.5 16 17 19 22 1.6 25 1.8

Standard 6/
Deviation — 0.6 0.7 1.4 0.9 1.2 1.1 2.0 1.1

1/ Circle sampled in April 1976.

2/ Mean and standard deviation for radii 2-6.

3/ Overall mean for radii 2-6 and circles A to E,

4/ Mean and standard deviation for radii 11~14.

5/ Overall mean for radii 11-14 and circles A to E,

6/ Overall mean and standard deviation for each circle calculated using all radii.

i/ Mean and standard deviation for circles A to E only,

11