Trace Metal Concentrations in the Soils of Mount Everest.

Atmospheric pollution and the effect on climate change has become a very real threat to humans, health and the environment in the 21^st century.  The purpose of this research was to evaluate altitudinal changes in heavy metal deposition on Mt. Everest.  Mt. Everest, at 8850 meters provides the optimum laboratory for a scientific study of atmospheric deposition of heavy metals from anthropogenic sources at specific altitudes.  Our method included collecting replicate soil samples every 305 meters from 5334 meters to 6553 meters in sterile sampling containers.  Soil samples were dried, sieved and extracted for heavy metals using Environmental Protection Agency method 3051b.  All samples were analyzed for cadmium, nickel, zinc, chromium, cobalt, copper, arsenic, magnesium, mercury, vanadium, yttrium and lead using an ICP-OES.  The results of this research were analyzed to gain insight on heavy metal concentration differences based on elevation and potential influence of prevailing winds related to deposition. Most metal concentrations were below EPA acceptable limits, but elevated concentrations of mercury were present throughout the sample matrix.  Also, the soil at 5900 meters had elevated levels of all the metals. The cross border impacts of atmospheric pollution are a very real and sensitive issue, especially as the developing world begins to increase its GDP.