Evaluation of a Multi-Isotope Approach as a Complement to Concentration Data within Environmental Forensics

Simon Pontér,Anna Mäki,Cora Paulukat,Katerina Rodushkina,Ilia Rodushkin,Stacy Sutliff-Johansson,Anders Widerlund,Emma Engström

doi:10.3390/min11010037

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination was identified in groundwater monitoring wells surrounding a waste deposit facility at the Rönnskär Cu–Pb–Zn smelter in Skellefteå, Northern Sweden, as well as in brackish water and sediments from the nearby harbor. Following an investigative study of the surrounding area, brackish water from the Baltic Sea and sediments from a nearby harbor were also determined to be contaminated. This study investigated the ranges of isotopic compositions of four elements (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in smelter materials (ores, products, and waste) and polluted groundwater sediments of the affected area. The study’s objective was to evaluate the variability of the polluting source and identify possible isotope fractionation. This study further assesses the viability of using isotopic information to identify the source of the pollutant. These data were used in combination with multi-element screening analysis and multivariate statistical techniques. Expanding the number of elements utilized in isotope tracing empowers our abilities to decipher the source(s) and the extent of environmental exposure from contamination events related to mining and refining operations.

Highlights

Environmental Forensics is a scientific methodology developed for identifying sources, the timing of release, and transport pathways for potentially hazardous environmental contaminants
The field has gained significant attention in the last few decades as the need to identify contaminant sources and dispersal pathways in our environment continues to grow. Such understanding is essential to mitigate the potentially harmful effects on ecosystems and on human health as well as to optimize remediation strategies [1,2,3,4,5]. Industrial activities such as mining and refining operations discharge a wide range of contaminants, but the most significant metalloids and trace metals are As, Cu, Cd, Hg, Pb, Sb, and Zn [2]
In a preceding study at the same site [3], severe heavy metal contamination was identified in groundwater monitoring wells surrounding a waste deposit facility at the Rönnskär Cu–Pb–Zn smelter in Northern Sweden

Summary

Introduction

Environmental Forensics is a scientific methodology developed for identifying sources, the timing of release, and transport pathways for potentially hazardous environmental contaminants. The field has gained significant attention in the last few decades as the need to identify contaminant sources and dispersal pathways in our environment continues to grow. Such understanding is essential to mitigate the potentially harmful effects on ecosystems and on human health as well as to optimize remediation strategies [1,2,3,4,5]. Aridus/Apex desolvating systems, self-aspirating microconcentric PFA nebulizer, X-type skimmer cone Low Zn/Cu

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Conclusion