R. Shrivastav et al., BRICKS REVEAL RECENT HISTORY OF HEAVY-METAL POLLUTION IN SOIL AROUND A NORTH INDIAN CITY, Science of the total environment, 209(1), 1998, pp. 41-46
Up to now, geochemical monitoring of atmospheric heavy metal pollution
has been limited to the use of peat, ice deposits and aquatic sedimen
ts as sample types. These systems are open, dynamic and easily affecte
d by climatic variations. Zn a recent report, Shrivastav et al. (Envir
on Mon Ass 1996;40:271-278) have suggested the use of bricks as a geoc
hemical monitor of heavy metal fallout and their study has clearly dem
onstrated the practical feasibility of the above concept at least in s
ome parts of the world. However, more research is required in order to
understand the suitability of using bricks as a geochemical monitor o
f heavy metal fallout. As part of our continuing research in this dire
ction, in this article we report on the history of heavy metal polluti
on in the soils of Agra since 1900, that have been traced by analysing
bricks of different ages collected from the old buildings/monuments.
The study indicated that the soil concentrations of lead, zinc and chr
omium rose initially until between 1950 and 1960 and then fell sharply
especially over the last 2-3 decades, which can be explained as an ou
tcome of socio-economic fluctuations on a local scale and climatic cha
nges on a global or regional scale. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.