Extraordinary trace-element accumulations in roadside cedars near Centerville, Missouri

Unusually high concentrations of lead, copper, zinc, and cadmium were found in samples of cedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) collected on the roadside of State Highway 21-72 about 4 miles northeast of Centerville, Mo. For 15 samples, geometric mean concentrations for these elements in cedar ash were, in parts per million: Pb, 5,800; Cu, 190; An, 940; and Cd, 12. The high concentrations are thought to reflect vehicular transport of lead-bearing ores from mine to smelter, rather than mineralized rock at depth.