Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Using Lichen Chemistry to Assess Airborne Tungsten and Cobalt in Fallon, Nevada

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper describes the use of lichen chemistry to assess airborne tungsten and cobalt in Fallon, Nevada, where a cluster of childhood leukemia has been on going since 1997. Lichens and their rock substrates were collected from Rattlesnake Hill within Fallon as well as from four different rock outcrops located north, east, south, and west of Fallon and at least 20 km away from the town center. In the lichens themselves, W and Co are significantly higher within Fallon than in the combined control site outside of Fallon. In the rock substrates of the lichens, no differences exist in W and Co. The W and Co differences in lichens cannot be attributed to substrate geochemistry. Fallon is distinctive in west central Nevada for high airborne W and Co, and given its cluster of childhood leukemia, it stands to reason that additional biomedical research is in order to test directly the leukogenicity of combined airborne W and Co.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amato, I. (1988). Tapping tree rings for the environmental tales they tell. Analytical Chemistry, 60, 1103A–1107A.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baron, G. (1999). Understanding lichens (p. 92). Slough, England: Richmond.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, J. P., & Wetmore, C. M. (2003). Elemental chemistry of four lichen species from the Apostle Islands, Wisconsin, 1987, 1995 and 2001. Science of the Total Environment, 305, 77–86.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brodo, I. M., Sharnoff, S. D., & Sharnoff, S. S. (2001). Lichens of North America (p. 795). New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bull, W. B., King, J., Kong, F. C., Moutoux, T., & Phillips, W. M. (1994). Lichen dating of coseismic landslide hazards in alpine mountains. Geomorphology, 10, 253–264.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chiarenzelli, J., Aspler, L., Dunn, C., Cousens, B., Ozarko, D., & Powis, K. (2001). Multi-element and rare earth element composition of lichens, mosses, and vascular plants from the Central Barrenlands, Nunavut, Canada. Applied Geochemistry, 16, 245–270.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Conti, M. E., & Cecchetti, G. (2001). Biological monitoring: Lichens as bioindicators of air pollution assessment – A review. Environmental Pollution, 114, 471–492.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Conti, M. E., Tudino, M., Stripeikis, J., & Cecchetti, G. (2004). Heavy metal accumulation in the lichen Evernia prunastri transplanted at urban, rural and industrial sites in central Italy. Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry, 49, 83–94.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cuny, D., Davranche, L., Thomas, P., Kempa, M., & Van Haluwyn, C. (2004). Spatial and temporal variations of trace element contents in Xanthoria parietina thalli collected in a highly industrialized area in northern France as an element for a future epidemiological study. Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry, 49, 391–401.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ernst, W. H. O. (1995). Sampling of plant material for chemical analysis. Science of the Total Environment, 176, 15–24.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Expert Panel (2004). Final report and recommendations to the Nevada State Health Division, expert panel on childhood leukemia in Churchill County, Nevada. Available: http://www.health2k.state.nv.us/healthofficer/leukaemia/FALLONexpertpanel022304.pdf.

  • Falla, J., Laval-Gilly, P., Henryon, M., Morlot, D., & Ferard, J. F. (2000). Biological air quality monitoring: A review. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 64, 627–644.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Freitas, M. C., & Pacheco, A. M. G. (2004). Bioaccumulation of cobalt in Parmelia sulcata. Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry, 49, 67–82.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garty, J. (1993). Lichens as biomonitors for heavy metal pollution. In B. Markert (Ed.), Plants as biomonitors: Indicators for heavy metals in the terrestrial environment (pp. 193–195). Weinheim, Germany: VCH.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glascock, M. D. (1992). Characterization of archaeological ceramics at MURR by neutron activation analysis and multivariate statistics. In H. Neff (Ed.), Chemical characterization of ceramic pastes in archaeology (pp. 11–26). Madison, Wisconsin: Prehistory.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greater Fallon Area Chamber of Commerce (2005). History of Fallon. Available: http://www.fallonchamber.com.

  • Harris, P. M., & Humphreys, D. S. C. (1983). Tungsten: A review. In: Occasional papers of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, Paper 2 (pp. 42). London, England: Institution of Mining and Metallurgy.

  • Helena, P. N., Franc, B., & Cvetka, R. L. (2004). Monitoring of short-term heavy metal deposition by accumulation in epiphytic lichens (Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl.). Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry, 49, 223–230.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Juran, Z., Jaimovi Batič, F., Smodiš, B., & Wolterbeek, H. T. (1996). Atmospheric heavy metal pollution in Slovenia derived from results for epiphytic lichens. Fresenius’ Journal of Analytical Chemistry, 354, 681–687.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kingston, H. M., & Haswell, S. J. (Eds.) (1997). Microwave-enhanced chemistry fundamentals, sample preparation, and applications (p. 772). Washington, District of Columbia: American Chemical Society.

  • Krauskopf, K. B. (1995). Introduction to geochemistry (p. 647). New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, T. E. (Ed.) (1995). Tree rings as indicators of ecosystem health (p. 210). Boca Raton, Florida: CRC.

  • Loppi, S., & Pirintsos, S. A. (2003). Epiphytic lichens as sentinels for heavy metal pollution at forest ecosystems (central Italy). Environmental Pollution, 121, 327–332.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MacNaeidhe, F. (1995). Procedures and precautions used in sampling techniques and analysis of trace elements in plant matrices. Science of the Total Environment, 176, 25–31.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Markert, B. (1995). Sample preparation (cleaning, drying, homogenization) for trace element analysis in plant matrices. Science of the Total Environment, 176, 45–61.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Monn, C., Braendli, O., Schaeppi, G., Schindler, C., Ackermann-Liebrich, U., Leuenberger, P., et al. (1995). Particulate matter <10 μm (PM10) and total suspended particulates (TSP) in-urban, rural and alpine air in Switzerland. Atmospheric Environment, 29, 2565–2573.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, L. E., Lu, M., & Smith, A. H. (2002). Childhood cancer incidence and arsenic exposure in drinking water in Nevada. Archives of Environmental Health, 57, 201–206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mullen, F. X. (2003). No pollution controls in tungsten plant. Reno Gazette-Journal (6 February).

  • Nash, T. H., Gries, C., Zschau, T., Getty, S., Ameron, Y., & Zambrano, A. (2003). Historical patterns of metal atmospheric deposition to the epilithic lichen Xanthoparmelia in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. Journal de Physique. IV, 107, 921–924 (Part 2).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Neff, H. (1992). Introduction. In H. Neff (Ed.), Chemical characterization of ceramic pastes in archaeology (pp. 1–10). Madison, Wisconsin: Prehistory.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neff, H. (2000). Neutron activation analysis for provenance determination in archaeology. In E. Ciliberto, & G. Spoto (Ed.), Modern analytical methods in art and archaeology (pp. 81–134). New York:Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nevada State Health Division (2004). New childhood leukemia case confirmed (News Release, December 20, 2004). Available at: http://www.health2k.state.nv.us/pio/releases/ 122004PressRelLeukemia.pdf.

  • Pardus, M. J., Sueker, J. K., & Gass, T. E. (2005). Tungsten: Occurrence, environmental fate, potential ecological and health effects. Abstracts of papers (GEOC 37, [886912]), 230th American Chemical Society Meeting. Washington, District of Columbia: American Chemical Society.

  • Quevauviller, P., Herzig, R., & Muntau, H. (1996). Certified reference material of lichen (CRM 482) for the quality control of trace element biomonitoring. Science of the Total Environment, 187, 143–152.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reid, M., & Thompson, S. (1996). Ecological fieldwork methods. In S. Watts, & L. Halliwell (Eds.), Essential environmental science: Methods & techniques (pp. 351–389). London, England: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reimann, C., & de Caritat, P. (2005). Distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic sources for elements in the environment: Regional geochemical surveys versus enrichment factors. Science of the Total Environment, 337, 91–107.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reno Gazette-Journal (2006). Kennametal announces $1.67 million expansion at north plant (2 June).

  • Richardson, D. H. S. (1992). Pollution monitoring with lichens (p. 76). Slough, England: Richmond.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, D. H. S. (1995). Metal uptake in lichens. Symbiosis, 18, 119–127.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scerbo, R., Possenti, L., Lampugnani, L., Ristori, T., Barale, R., & Barghigiani, C. (1999). Lichen (Xanthoria parientina) biomonitoring of trace element contamination and air quality assessment in Livorno Province (Tuscany, Italy). Science of the Total Environment, 241, 91–106.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seiler, R. L. (2004). Temporal changes in water quality at a childhood leukemia cluster. Ground Water, 42, 446–455.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seiler, R. L., Stollenwerk, K. G., & Garbarino, J. R. (2005). Factors controlling tungsten concentrations in ground water, Carson Desert, Nevada. Applied Geochemistry, 20, 423–441.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sensen, M., & Richardson, D. H. S. (2002). Mercury levels in lichens from different post trees around a chlor-alkali plant in New Brunswick, Canada. Science of the Total Environment, 293, 31–45.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sheppard, P. R., Ridenour, G., Speakman, R. J., & Witten, M. L. (2006a). Elevated tungsten and cobalt in airborne particulates in Fallon, Nevada: Possible implications for the childhood leukemia cluster. Applied Geochemistry, 21, 152–165.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sheppard, P. R., Speakman, R. J., Ridenour, G., & Witten, M. L. (2006b). Reply to comment on “Elevated tungsten and cobalt in airborne particulates in Fallon, Nevada: Possible implications for the childhood leukemia cluster”, by R. Seiler. Applied Geochemistry, 21, 715–723.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sheppard, P. R., Speakman, R. J., Ridenour, G., & Witten, M. L. (2006c). Reply to comment on “Elevated tungsten and cobalt in airborne particulates in Fallon, Nevada: Possible implications for the childhood leukemia cluster”, by Blasland, Bouck & Lee, Inc. Applied Geochemistry, 21, 1083–1088.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sokal, R. R., & Rohlf, F. J. (1981). Biometry (p. 859). San Francisco, California: Freeman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stager, H. K., & Tingley, J. V. (1988). Tungsten deposits in Nevada (p. 256). Reno, Nevada: Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Bulletin 105, University of Nevada – Reno School of Mines.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinmaus, C., Lu, M., Todd, R. L., & Smith, A. H. (2004). Probability estimates for the unique childhood leukemia cluster in Fallon, Nevada, and risks near other U.S. military aviation facilities. Environmental Health Perspectives, 112, 766–771.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szczepaniak, K., & Biziuk, M. (2003). Aspects of the biomonitoring studies using mosses and lichens as indicators of metal pollution. Environmental Research, 93, 221–230.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • US ATSDR (2002). Evaluation of potential exposures from the Fallon JP-8 fuel pipeline. US Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Available: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/PHA/fallonpipe/fallon_toc.html.

  • US ATSDR (2003a). Surface water, sediment, and biota human exposure pathway analysis for Churchill County: Fallon Leukemia Project, Fallon, Churchill County, Nevada. US Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Available: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/PHA/fallonwater/finalwater.pdf.

  • US ATSDR (2003b). Air exposure pathway and assessment: Fallon Leukemia Cluster Investigation. US Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Available: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/PHA/fallonair/finalair.pdf.

  • US ATSDR (2003c). Pathway assessment for Churchill County surface soils and residential indoor dust: Fallon leukemia project, Fallon, Churchill County, Nevada. US Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Available: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/PHA/fallonsoil/finalsoil.pdf.

  • US CDC (2003a). A cross-sectional exposure assessment of environmental exposures in Churchill County, Nevada. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/clusters/fallon.

  • US CDC (2003b). Exposure to tungsten in three Nevada communities, report to the Nevada State Health Division. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/clusters/fallon/tungsten_report.pdf.

  • US Census (2000). United States census 2000. Available: http://www.census.gov/main/www/cen2000.html.

  • US NCI (2003). Age-adjusted SEER incidence and the U.S. death rates and 5-year relative survival rates by primary cancer sites, sex, and time period. SEER cancer statistics review, 1975–2000, table XXVII-3: Childhood cancers. US National Cancer Institute. Available: http://www.seer.cancer.gov.

  • Wayne, D. M., Diaz, T. A., Fairhurst, R. J., Orndorff, R. L., & Pete, D. V. (2006). Direct major- and trace-element analyses of rock varnish by high resolution laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS). Applied Geochemistry, 21 1410–1431.

  • Willden, R., & Speed, R. C. (1974). Geologic map of Churchill County, Nevada. Reno, Nevada: MacKay School of Mines, University of Nevada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolterbeek, B. (2002). Biomonitoring of trace element air pollution: Principles, possibilities and perspectives. Environmental Pollution, 120, 11–21.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wolterbeek, H. T., & Bode, P. (1995). Strategies in sampling and sample handling in the context of large-scale plant biomonitoring surveys of trace element air pollution. Science of the Total Environment, 176, 33–43.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yenisoy-Karakaş, S., & Tuncel, S. G. (2004). Geographic patterns of elemental deposition in the Aegean region of Turkey indicated by the lichen, Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr. Science of the Total Environment, 329, 43–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yun, M., Longerich, H. P., & Wadleigh, M. A. (2003). The determination of 18 trace elements in lichens for atmospheric monitoring using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Canadian Journal of Analytical Sciences and Spectroscopy, 48, 171–180.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Z. H., Chai, Z. F., Mao, X. Y., & Chen, J. B. (2002). Biomonitoring trace element atmospheric deposition using lichens in China. Environmental Pollution, 120, 157–161.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zschau, T., Getty, S., Gries, C., Ameron, Y., Zambrano, A., & Nash III, T. H. (2003). Historical and current atmospheric deposition to the epilithic lichen Xanthoparmelia in Maricopa County, Arizona. Environmental Pollution, 125, 21–30.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    Paul R. Sheppard

  2. Research Reactor Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

    Robert J. Speakman

  3. 625 W. Williams Ave., Suite B, Fallon, NV, 89406, USA

    Gary Ridenour

  4. Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    Mark L. Witten

Authors
  1. Paul R. Sheppard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Robert J. Speakman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gary Ridenour
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mark L. Witten
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paul R. Sheppard.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sheppard, P.R., Speakman, R.J., Ridenour, G. et al. Using Lichen Chemistry to Assess Airborne Tungsten and Cobalt in Fallon, Nevada. Environ Monit Assess 130, 511–518 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-9440-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-9440-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation