Subject: Re: Lead shot
Date: Jul 20 14:47:01 1995
From: James Neitzel - neitzelj at elwha.evergreen.edu


A partial answer to Doug Hudson's question about lead shot and biological
transfer. Plants are known to accumulate lead from soil-some plant
material has been found to have 100 ppm lead by dry weght-cruciferous
plants grown near Asarco in Tacoma had close to 20 ppm lead in 1974. Since
lead is
a calcium mimic chemically, it will tend to accumulate in tissues that
are rich in calcium-bone and shell are two good examples. There has been
some concern recently about bone derived calcium supplements containing
some lead. pH changes are very important for the solubility of lead
salt, with acid pH promoting solution and alkaline pH promoting
precipitation. It is not unreasonable that some lead could move from
soil to plant to herbivore to carnivore.

PS. I have had trouble with some postings getting out recently. Some
one please acknowldge (privately OK) if this message is posted.
Jim Neitzel
The Evergreen State College
neitzelj at elwha.evergreen.edu