Studies of metals in soil,sediments, and selected food in Southwest Louisiana

Abstract

This review provides a background of Southwest Louisiana with a large petrochemical industry, potential for accidental spillage, and location in hurricane alley impacting on large seafood and recreational area with regard to potential metal pollution. Results with appropriate references on crawfish, oyster (both field and laboratory controlled), soil, sediments, and waters are shown. In general no lead, cadmium, or mercury was detected (limited by spectrochemical methods used). Results provided a baseline for current and future studies.