Edinburgh School

Ben Leimkuhler University of Edinburgh School of Mathematics Edinburgh, United Kingdom... 

Formerly Reader in Agricultural Biochemistry, University of Edinburgh, and Head of the Department of Agricultural Biochemistry, Edinburgh School of Agriculture... 

Adapted from Mackenzie E J and Purves D 1967 Edinburgh School Agricultural Experimental Work, p. 23. 

An extended series of pot experiments in the greenhouse has been carried out at the Edinburgh School of Agriculture since 1964, with a view to providing information (i) on the relationship between the available levels of the elements, boron, copper, lead, zinc and cadmium in the soil and uptake of these elements by oats, clover, radishes and lettuces, and (ii) on the effects on yield of these plants of increasing soil concentrations of these elements. Since the levels of all these elements are markedly enhanced in urban and industrial areas, it has become important to determine the level of contamination above which plant growth is restricted, and the threshold toxicity levels above which no effective growth is possible. 

Recent work at the Edinburgh School of Agriculture with untreated pig slurry has shown that almost all the copper and zinc added to the soil will remain in the topsoil, with little leaching into the subsoil. Both copper and zinc levels in grass increase rapidly after the application of slurry to the soil. Single applications of over 5,000 gallons/acre of untreated copper-rich slurry are now known to increase the copper content of grass for a short period, to levels which may be considered a potential hazard to sheep (10-14 ppm copper in dry matter). 

Spectrochemistry Department Edinburgh School of Agriculture Edinburgh (Great Britian)... 

The Edinburgh Lead Study was set up in 1983 at the instigation of the Medical Research Council with support from the Scottish Home and Health Department. Its main aim was to investigate the association between blood lead levels and mental abilities in a population of Edinburgh school children, taking into account a wide range of other influences. 

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