Abstract
Lead (Pb) isotopes and strontium (Sr) isotopes are good combined multiple geochemical tracers to differentiate lead pollution in soil and groundwater due to the characteristic “fingerprints” of Pb isotopes and fractionation of Sr isotopes. Soil, surface water, groundwater, and river sediment samples were investigated for Pb and Sr content and the isotopic ratio was used to determine the potential sources of Pb in soil and groundwater of the Hun River alluvial fan, Liaoning, China. Lead from anthropogenic sources was of high solubility and could translocate, and it was relatively stable after deposition in the soil. Therefore, lead speciation and the isotopic ratio of the acid extraction fraction and the residual fraction in the soil and river sediments were also measured to obtain more information regarding the anthropogenic pollution. The results indicate that most Pb in the soil was of geogenic origin, in particular, ore chemical weathering along the Hun River, while the topsoil was significantly affected by leaded gasoline and coal combustion, sewage irrigation, and other human activities. The geogenic origin of Pb in groundwater was from the carbonate rock aquifer and ore upstream. Shallow groundwater was affected by contaminated surface water through the interaction of groundwater and rivers. The influence of vehicle exhausts and coal combustion on groundwater from municipal wells can be ignored.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call