Anthropogenic lead concentrations and sources in Baltic Sea sediments based on lead isotopic composition

Abstract

The Gulf of Gdańsk is influenced by heavy metals of anthropogenic origin. In this study, temporal concentration changes of Pb, Zn, Cd, and Cu were studied in six, 50cm long sediment cores. The main aim of the study was to concentrate on the history of Pb fluxes and Pb isotopic composition (206Pb/207Pb and 208Pb/206Pb) to trace Pb sources. The lowest Pb concentrations (19μgg−1) were measured in sediments deposited circa 1860, while the highest Pb concentrations (63–147μgg−1) were measured in sediments deposited between 1960s and 70s. Pre-industrial Pb fluxes were 7Pbm2year−1, while after WWII they reached 199Pbm2year−1. Highest 206Pb/207Pb ratios (∼1.22) were measured in the oldest sediment layers, and the lowest 206Pb/207Pb ratios (∼1.165) were measured in the sediments deposited in 1970s–90s. During the period of highest Pb contamination, the anthropogenic Pb fraction reached up to 93%. A general discussion of the Pb sources, emissions, and loads for Poland is included.