The Applications of Chemical Analyses of Sediments and Soils in ...

Ministry of the Environment and nutrient analyses at the University of Guelph. pHvalues at the surface usually ranged from 5 to 6 and pH 4 lower in the soil profile.(G.M. Courtin, Unpublished data).In analyses by MOE (Unpublished) wide variations were found in concentrationsof copper, nickel and aluminum in I:5 ammonium acetate pH 4.8 extracts, Titaniumwas below the detection limit (0.3 ppm) and zinc in low concentrations (usually below1 ppm). Further work is required to determine if the concentrations of heavy metalsnoted above are toxic and if there is uptake into the plants.Measurements would also probably be worthwhile of parameters such as AcidPotential and calcium carbonate requirements. Permeability was reduced during thetest period but could be restored by cultivation. Mechanical analyses, measurement oftotal organic matter content and characterization of the humic material would be ofassistance.ACID LAKE RECLAMATIONAcid lakes devoid of fish in the vicinity of Sudbury were selected by the Ministryof the Environment for reclamation through pH adjustment by liming (Michalski andAdamski, 1974). A large number of sediment samples from test and control lakes havebeen analyzed for nutrients and heavy metals. Large changes in pH and heavy metaldistribution down the profile below the sediment-water interface were noted and therewere significant differences between test and control lakes and distance from theSudbury smelters.41