Findings
- In the final map, Areas in dark red represent areas having highest concentration of Arsenic in soil (90 to 190 ppm). Lighter areas represent lesser concentrations with the lightest color representing safe zone.
- The Maximum acceptable concentration of Arsenic in soil according to the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment (CCME) is 12 ppm. This is applicable to Agricultural, Industrial, Residential & Commercial Areas.
- All of the Contaminated sites were found to be within Rouyn Noranda & Abitibi-Ouest regions.
* This image is an extract of the final map shown in the Methodology Section. The Scale, Legend and Source for the data & map remain same.
Limitations of the Study
- Mapping Arsenic concentration in a widely distributed natural substance such as soil proved to be a difficult task. Theissen polygon method of spatial interpolation was carried out but later disregarded due to its straight line polygon boundary feature & low visual resolution.
- Perennial croplands having even a part of them in contaminated zones are also considered to be at high risk, due to continuous nature of agricultural lands. Since each cropland shares same water source and closely compacted soil, contamination in one part of it has the potential to affect all the crops.