Distribution of Lead, Cobalt and Nickel in the Soil Around a Coal‐Fired Power Plant

To determine the effect on the environment of heavy metal emissions from power plants, the contents of Pb, Co and Ni in the soils around a medium sized, hard‐coal‐fired power plant were measured. In the fly ash from the last state of the electrostatic precipitator these elements were present in the following concentrations: Pb: 3680; Co: 122 and Ni: 325 mg/kg. The metal contents in the soil around the plant (0.4–5.2km) were in the same range as observed with other soils in Germany (Pb: 15–35; Co: 4–16; Ni: 5–40 mg/kg). Due to the fact that in this area the frequency of westerly winds is considerably higher than that of southerly winds, increased concentrations of these metals in samples east of the plant may be expected compared to those collected north of it. The distribution of the metal contens in the soil around the plant does not, however, suggest such an effect. The airborne emissions of Pb, Co and Ni near the plant are obviously too small to change significantly the local distribution pattern of these elements in the soil.