Identification of historical lead sources in roof dusts and recent lake sediments from an industrialized area: indications from lead isotopes (original) (raw)
Related papers
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 2006
Mining operations at Mårsätter in 1877-81 resulted in increased metal loading to a small lake, notably as sulphidic tailings. The event is taken as an opportunity to study the present environmental impact of a historical single major metal release. Lake water and four sediment cores were sampled and analysed for principal and trace elements in solid and aqueous phases as well as general hydrochemical conditions. Chronologies were determined from 206 Pb/ 207 Pb ratios and historical records.
Lead concentrations and isotopic compositions were determined on both bulk sediments deposited in the Thau lake in southern France during the last 200 years, and leachates derived from a series of sequential leachings of the sediments, making it possible to identify the sources, natural (i.e. indigenous lithologic) or anthropogenic, and to quantify the dierent inputs of Pb. Two distinct inputs of Pb could be distinguished. One of these corresponds to the terrigenous material entering the basin, representative of the local natural Pb `background'. Its supply remained steady most of the time with 206Pb/207Pb ratios of 1.200 2 0.003, except at the time of heavy storms producing voluminous and sudden depositions, such as that of September 1875. This Pb supply is mainly hosted by the detrital silicate fraction of the sediments. The second Pb input is a direct consequence of anthropogenic activities of various industrial and domestic emissions in the region, particularly due to the city of SeÁte and, to a lesser extent, to the villages in the watershed. The 206Pb/207Pb ratios of this input are of 1.142±1.162. The Pb added to gasoline could also be identi®ed in the uppermost sediments, because of its speci®c 206Pb/207Pb ratios of 1.069±1.094. The leaching experiments also showed that the anthropogenic Pb is mainly hosted by the oxi-hydroxides of the sediments and to a lesser extent by the carbonates. It may also be adsorbed on particle surfaces, while only limited amounts are bound to organic matter.
Journal of Paleolimnology, 2005
A simple binary mixing model is used to determine the isotopic ratios of lead (Pb) pollution sources to a lake located near a smelter closed because of excessive Pb aerosols (Horseshoe Lake Madison County, Illinois, USA). As a control, we also examine a relatively unpolluted lake in a rural area of Southern Illinois (Horseshoe Lake Alexander County). Sediment cores were taken from both lakes and analyzed for Pb and Pb isotopes by ICP-MS. The mixing model shows that Madison County Horseshoe Lake had 3 different sources of Pb in its history. The first source is sediment from the Mississippi River with an intermediate 206 Pb/ 207 Pb ratio (1.223 ± 0.009) which dominates inputs in pre-settlement times. From 1750 to 1933, the source of pollution Pb has the high 206 Pb/ 207 Pb ratio (1.256 ± 0.005) characteristic of ore from the southeast Missouri Pb mines. The most recently deposited pollution Pb comes from a source with a low 206 Pb/ 207 Pb ratio (1.202 ± 0.005). This source is similar in isotopic composition to pollution Pb found by several other investigators in the Eastern US and probably represents the mixture of ores used in modern industrial processes. It is unclear from the isotopic composition whether this source at Horseshoe Lake is the local Pb smelter or vehicle exhaust. The sediment core from Horseshoe Lake, Alexander County, shows a less variable isotopic composition. The binary mixing model showed a source composition of 1.225 ± 0.003 before 1850 and 1.231 ± 0.003 after this date. The change does not indicate a pollution source, but may be a shift in the sources of natural sediment with slightly different isotopic ratios to the lake. Our results show the value of simple binary mixing models to reconstruct the isotopic composition of Pb sources to lakes.
Saliba, B., Geraldes, M., 2018. Lead source assessment by isotopic and elementary composition in the transition from pristine to polluted condition of coastal sediments. Journal of Sedimentary Environments, 3 (1): 46-53. Abstract The source assessments of metal contaminants are critical for a consistent management of coastal zones. In this work, lead (Pb) concentration and isotopic composition were determined in sediments from Angra dos Reis coast (Brazil) to evaluate the potential influence of contamination sources on Pb distribution. Estimated Pb enrichment factor up to 1.64 suggested natural source predominance. Diagrams of 206 Pb/ 207 Pb ratio plotted against 208 Pb/ 206 Pb and 1/Pb ratios indicated a binary source mixing that was explained by marine and terrigenous influences. Only some specific sites fall close to anthropogenic Pb isotopes signatures (e.g., from urban effluents and gasoline). The lower Pb concentrations were associated with a marine carbonate dilution effect, as indicated by a negative relationship between Pb and Ca. Past dredging activities contributed to explain a diffuse occurrence of anthropogenic Pb isotopic signature. The overall results reveal the beginning of a transition from pristine to slightly-polluted condition.
Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 2019
Australia has a history of overlooking heavy metal contamination in towns and water bodies that can impact on human and environmental health. Airborne lead pollution in many regional Australian towns is often related to mining, smelting and transport of minerals. Recent studies in Townsville have shown inner city soil and playgrounds, creek and nearby offshore sediment to have heavy metal concentrations that exceed Australian standards; this contamination is suspected to originate from the port. To assess the port as a current source of lead dust, we evaluated one year of data in 2015-1026 on lead concentration in air from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection continuous metals monitoring station. The analysis shows that when the wind direction is from the port, and ships are present at the berth where the lead and zinc concentrates are loaded, there is a significant increase in lead concentration. This suggests that shipping activity at the port continues to be the source of lead-laden dust in inner Townsville and in estuarine and coastal marine sediments. The sediments have the highest concentration of lead in Ross Creek, south/west of the port. The geographical relationship between the port, metal analyser and the creek relative to the north/east winds, the latter being directly downwind, suggest that the Ross creek and metal monitoring station have the same source of lead contamination. Our results indicate lead testing in people and wildlife in the area may be warranted to directly assess risks, and that remedial action should continue to focus on reducing escape of lead dust from the port.
Lead isotopes in marine surface sediments reveal historical use of leaded fuel
Analyses of lead (Pb) isotopes have been performed in terrestrial and fresh water environments to estimate historical uses of leaded fuel, but so far this method has not been employed in studies of worldwide marine surface sediments. We analyzed Pb and its isotopes in 23 surface sediments from four continents collected during the Galathea 3 expedition in 2006–2007. To enhance the anthropogenic signal, a partial digestion using nitric acid was performed. The concentrations of Pb, Th, U and Al were determined with an ICP-Quadrupole MS, and Pb-isotope ratios with an ICP-multi-collector MS. The samples could be divided into three groups: Harbor areas in larger cities with concentrations of 150 to 265 mg kg À1 dry weight, smaller towns with concentrations between 20 and 40 mg kg À1 dry weight, and remotely located sites with concentrations below 15 mg kg À1 dry weight. Pb-isotope ratios were compared to literature values for gasoline and local or geological background values, and the contribution of leaded-gasoline to total concentrations was calculated for contaminated sites using both a one-dimensional and a novel two-dimensional (vector) method. The North American sites had Pb-isotope ratios corresponding to the US leaded gasoline, with 24–88% of the Pb from leaded gasoline. Samples from Oceania showed Pb-isotope ratios corresponding to Australian gasoline, with 60% attributed to leaded gasoline in Sydney and 21% in Christchurch. Outside Cape Town, 15 to 46% of Pb in sediments was from leaded gasoline.
Environmental Pollution, 2013
Lead (Pb) concentrations and isotopic compositions from soils, dusts and aerosols from public land and residential lots adjacent to the copper and Pb mine and smelter at Mount Isa, Australia, were examined to understand the sources and risks of environmental Pb exposure. Urban soil samples contain elevated Pb concentrations (mean 1560 mg/kg), of which 45e85% of the Pb is bioaccessible. The Pb isotopic composition of surface soils (0e2 cm), aerosols and dusts (206 Pb/ 207 Pb, 208 Pb/ 207 Pb range: 1.049, 2.322e1.069, 2.345) are dominated by Pb derived from the Mount Isa Pbezinc ore bodies. Underlying soil horizons (10 e20 cm) have distinctly different Pb isotopic compositions (206 Pb/ 207 Pb, 208 Pb/ 207 Pb range: 1.093, 2.354 e1.212, 2.495). Surface soil-, dust-and aerosol-Pb are derived predominantly from smelter emissions and fugitive mining sources and not from in situ weathered bedrock. Remediation strategies should target legacy and ongoing sources of environmental Pb to mitigate the problem of Pb exposure at Mount Isa.
Isotopic record of lead pollution in lake sediments from the northeastern United States
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 1995
Although it is common knowledge that Pb concentrations have increased in lake sediments in the northeastern United States over the last 150 years, the processes responsible have been the subject of debate. In this study, differences in lead isotopic compositions and concentrations in sediment from large lakes (Lake Erie, Ontario, and Michigan) and small ones (Deep Lake and Lake Andrus) are used to infer temporal changes in the source(s) of anthropogenic Pb in the Great Lakes region. A natural (background) component of Pb is present in sediment deposited prior to 1860 in Lake Erie and the other lakes as indicated from low Pb concentrations and uniform lead isotopic compositions. Changes in isotopic ratios of lake sediment reflect differing sources of anthropogenic Pb superimposed on the natural component such as regional deforestation from 1860-1890 followed by coal combustion and ore smelting through 1930. Combustion of leaded gasoline was the dominant anthropogenic Pb source to the atmosphere (and by inference to lake sediment) from 1930-1980. Temporal changes in lead isotopic compositions in lake sediment suggest that the source of the Pb used in gasoline additives gradually changed from 1930 to present. The best example is a distinct shift in lead isotopic ratios in lake sediment deposited after 1970 which corresponds to increased Pb production from the Viburnum Trend deposits in Missouri (present in all lakes except Ontario). However, the changes in lead isotopic compositions are much less variable than and do not parallel those calculated on the basis of annual United States mine production and imports. Rather, anthropogenic recycling of Pb as well as natural mixing processes during emission, transport, and deposition of Pb in lake sediment control most of the variation in lead isotope ratios. Differences in lead isotopic ratios in Lake Michigan, Erie, and Deep Lake sediment preserve regional differences in lead isotopic ratios from U.S. and Canadian sources first noted in aerosols by Sturges and Barrie (1987). More localized sources of Pb (such as point discharges) are needed to explain the results from Lake Ontario and Andrus. paper represents a portion of the dissertation of J. R. Graney at the University of Michigan. The inspiration to start this project was provided by K. C. Lohmann. C. DeWolf, R. Keller, and A. Lee provided training in methods to measure lead isotopes to JRG. "'Pb and 13'Cs measurements were made by N.