Nickel and vanadium in the vicinity of an oil-fired power plant

Oil typically contains appreciable percentages of nickel and vanadium. When small amounts of fly ash are released from oil-fired, electric generating power plants, analysis for these metals contained in the ash in the vicinity of such facilities may serve as indicators of ash fallout. With prevailing winds toward the northeast, analysis of nickel and vanadium staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina L.) leaves sampled at increasing distances from the stacks in the vicinity of an oil-fired power plant showed consistently higher concentrations in all instances in foliage collected in an easterly direction versus that taken at the same distances west. Factors influencing the concentrations of nickel and vanadium in plants are discussed.