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Madden C, Pringle JK, Jeffery AJ, Wisniewski KD, Heaton V, Oliver IW, Glanville H, Stimpson IG, Dick HC, Eeley M, Goodwin J. Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analysis of heavy metal contamination in church graveyards with contrasting soil types. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:55278-55292. [PMID: 35318600 PMCID: PMC9356940 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19676-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Human remains have been interred in burial grounds since historic times. Although the re-use of graveyards differs from one country, region or time period to another, over time, graveyard soil may become contaminated or enriched with heavy metal elements. This paper presents heavy metal element soil analysis from two UK church graveyard study sites with contrasting necrosols, but similar burial densities and known burial ages dating back to the sixteenth century and some possibly older than 1,000 years. Portable X-ray fluorescence element laboratory-based analyses were undertaken on surface and near-surface soil pellets. Results show elevated levels of Fe, Pb, Mn, Cr, Cu, Zn and Ca in both necrosols when compared with background values. Element concentration anomalies remained consistently higher than background samples down to 2 m, but reduced with distance away from church buildings. Element concentration anomalies are higher in the clay-rich necrosol than in sandy necrosol. Study result implications suggest that long-used necrosols are likely to be more contaminated with heavy metal elements than similar soil outside graveyards with implications for burial grounds management, adjacent populations and where burial grounds have been deconsecrated and turned to residential dwellings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Madden
- School of Geography, Geology and Environment, Keele University, Keele, ST5 5BG, Staffs, UK
| | - Jamie K Pringle
- School of Geography, Geology and Environment, Keele University, Keele, ST5 5BG, Staffs, UK.
| | - Adam J Jeffery
- School of Geography, Geology and Environment, Keele University, Keele, ST5 5BG, Staffs, UK
- The Keele Institute for Innovation and Teaching Excellence, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK
| | | | - Vivienne Heaton
- School of Physical & Chemical Sciences, Keele University, Keele, ST5 5BG, Staffs, UK
| | - Ian W Oliver
- School of Geography, Geology and Environment, Keele University, Keele, ST5 5BG, Staffs, UK
| | - Helen Glanville
- School of Geography, Geology and Environment, Keele University, Keele, ST5 5BG, Staffs, UK
| | - Ian G Stimpson
- School of Geography, Geology and Environment, Keele University, Keele, ST5 5BG, Staffs, UK
| | - Henry C Dick
- School of Geography, Geology and Environment, Keele University, Keele, ST5 5BG, Staffs, UK
- Met Consultancy Group, Southgate House, Pontefract Road, Leeds, LS10 1SW, UK
| | - Madeleine Eeley
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottinghamshire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Jonathan Goodwin
- Stoke-On-Trent Archaeology Service, Civic Centre, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, UK
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Advances in Flipped Classrooms for Teaching and Learning Forensic Geology. EDUCATION SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/educsci12060403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
One of the most famous criminal investigations involved the use of forensic geology to assist law enforcement agencies in the homicide case of the Italian honorable Aldo Moro. Notwithstanding this important tribute to forensic geology, in Italy, the role and value of using geological and soil materials (known as earth materials) to support law enforcement agencies in solving criminal investigations remain uncommon. This absence may be due to few educational courses for geology undergraduates/graduates devoted to laboratory and field training in forensic geology. The flipped classroom model may encourage a modern educational approach for teaching and learning forensic geology. The designed flipped classroom model applies theoretical concepts for forensic geology, which is learned by the attendees at home, whereas the class activities are devoted to laboratory and field experiences assisted by teaching staff. The laboratory activities involve techniques for collecting geological trace evidence and comparing color/sedimentological/mineralogical/microfossil features, whereas the field experiences consist of sampling strategies, search activities for burials, and field surveying. This approach has been trialed by the Messina University since 2014 and represents a successful tool for multitasking teaching and learning aimed to further develop forensic geology, encourage the inclusion of forensic geologists within the police enforcement in Italy, and improve the knowledge of law experts such as prosecutors and defense lawyers.
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Cheshire K, Morgan R, Holmes J. The potential for geochemical discrimination of single- and mixed-source soil samples from close proximity urban parkland locations. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2016.1144789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K. Cheshire
- Department of Security and Crime Science, UCL, London, UK
- Centre for Forensic Sciences, UCL, London, UK
- Department of Geography, UCL, London, UK
| | - R.M. Morgan
- Department of Security and Crime Science, UCL, London, UK
- Centre for Forensic Sciences, UCL, London, UK
| | - J. Holmes
- Department of Geography, UCL, London, UK
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