Trace element determinations of northwestern Ohio carbonates

Abstract

Trace elements in the environment are of two major sources: those inherent in the bedrock and those contributed by man and his activities. When certain of these trace elements become incorporated into a biologic unit in sufficient concentrations, serious threats to the health of the organism may arise. By a study of trace element concentrations in the bedrock of a certain area, one may then begin to gain an insight into what are the relative proportions of the contributions of trace elements into the environment by man or by the environment itself. Also by a study of this sort one may determine certain facts about the environment of formation of the bedrock being examined and a comparison between present environments and ancient ones may be made. Finally by a study of this sort new methods of stratigraphic correlation may be found.