Potential Management-Induced Changes In Level, Distribution and Environmental Fate Of Heavy Metals In Turf Soils In The Southern High Plains.

Various management options have been employed in combating the drought challenges in the Southern High Plains. Among these, the use of treated wastewater has often been cited. Although this is a viable water conservation measure, but the potential short and long-term impacts of this practice on soil chemistry has not been properly documented on the calcium-rich soils of the Texas High Plains. A preliminary investigation indicated significant differences in soil electrical conductivity (soluble salts), organic matter distribution, pH and exchangeable cations (magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium) between managed and non-managed soils of golf courses. In this study, soil samples were collected from 7 golf courses located in different parts of Lubbock, Texas. Samples were collected at 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm depths from irrigated (managed) and non-irrigated sites at each golf course.  Heavy metal (copper, zinc, lead, nickel and cadmium) levels and distribution within the profile will be evaluated on the managed and non-managed sites of the golf courses. Fractionation will be conducted on selected samples to determine the distribution of the metals into soluble/exchangeable, carbonate, iron/manganese, and organic bound phases and the possible linkages to management practices examined.