Urban geochemical landscapes: A study of selected brownfields in Baltimore, Maryland

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Task Objectives

Brownfields are real property where development may be complicated by the potential presence of a pollutant or contaminant. The overall objective is to characterize the abundance and distribution of inorganic and organic pollutants in a number of Baltimore brownfields. The reality is that many of the brownfield sites are not accessible for sampling because of legal complications. However, we hope to have access during the first year of the study to sites that will fulfill our initial objectives. The goals at each of the sites will be to 1) define the trace-element geochemistry (total content) of each site; 2) conduct partial extractions on selected samples from each site to characterize the "available" content of soils; 3) analyze for selected organic chemicals, e.g., PAHs, dioxin; 4) determine the physical characteristics of the "soil" developed on these sites; and 5) define the microbial ecology of each site. These data will be combined with Dr. Litt's information base to provide a comprehensive look at the nature of each site and use this information to assess the possible health effects on the surrounding population. We also will deploy field portable chemical and geophysical instruments to evaluate their utility in site characterization. In subsequent years, we wish to explore aspects of the mobility of elements from the brownfield sites to the surrounding areas. This mobility may include interaction of contaminant materials with surface and groundwater, and atmospheric transport of contaminants. The study will allow us to develop sampling and analytical protocols for future urban geochemical studies in collaboration with the NRCS.

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