27-15 Evaluation of Lead Migration at Public Shooting Ranges in Arkansas

Session: Environmental Geochemistry and Health (Posters)

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Abstract:

One of the primary criticisms of shooting sports is the detrimental impact of lead on the environment and human health. An approach to reduce the impact of lead more broadly on the environment is to use specific areas to concentrate and sequester the lead (i.e., shooting ranges).The Environmental Protection Agency has published a brochure (last updated 2005) outlining the ‘best management practices’ that can be used to mitigate lead erosion from shooting ranges. While there are many practices and mitigation approaches included in this document, it is important to adapt these principles to suit each specific shooting range location. In typical surface conditions lead generally oxidizes quickly into hydrocerussite (Pb3(CO)3(OH)2) which tends to be insoluble. While insoluble, the lead can still be transported via mechanical transport as water erodes surface materials. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lead migration in the soil at a shooting range. The study site is a public shooting range, which has utilized the EPA's management strategies. A suite of samples were collected in a grid pattern at the base of the soil berms, additional samples were taken of the erosional pathways, catchment pond and other areas. In addition to the preliminary study, we revisited this site a year later and included another shooting range in our study. Lead concentrations were measured using a portable X-Ray Fluorescence analyzer. Our results indicate that lead had been carried beyond the shooting range and catchment pond.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-10732

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