Isotopic characterisation of lead in contaminated soils from the vicinity of a non-ferrous metal smelter near Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Soil samples from the vicinity of a non-ferrous metal smelter near Plovdiv, Bulgaria contained very high concentrations of cadmium, lead and zinc (up to 140, 4900 and 5900 mg kg(-1), respectively). A roadside soil in a relatively uncontaminated area also contained high concentrations of the same metals (24, 1550 and 1870 mg kg(-1), respectively) indicating that the transport of ores could be a source of contamination. Even though the lead isotope ratios in all the samples fell within a very narrow range (for example, 1.186-1.195 for (206)Pb/(207)Pb), the samples could be differentiated into three distinct groups: ores ((206)Pb/(207)Pb and (208)Pb/(207)Pb ratios of 1.1874-1.1884 and 2.4755-2.4807, respectively), current deposition (1.1864 and 2.4704-2.4711, respectively) and local background (1.1927-1.1951 and 2.4772-2.4809, respectively). Although most of the current deposition has its origin in the ores used at the smelter, up to 12% could be from other sources such as petrol lead.
Bacon
Jeffrey R
JR
The Macaulay Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK. j.bacon@macaulay.ac.uk
Dinev
Nikolai S
NS
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D002031:Bulgaria; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D007554:Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D008372:Manure / Q000032:analysis; D008669:Metallurgy; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis; D006109:Poaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D012423:Rural Health; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D007554:Isotopes; D008372:Manure; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D007854:Lead