Lead isotope ratios in lichen samples evaluated by ICP-ToF-MS to assess possible atmospheric pollution sources in Havana, Cuba

Abstract

Epiphytic lichens, collected from 119 sampling sites grown over "Roistonea Royal Palm" trees, were used to assess the spatial distribution pattern of lead (Pb) and identify possible pollution sources in Havana (Cuba). Lead concentrations in lichens and topsoils were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectrometry, respectively, while Pb in crude oils and gasoline samples were measured by ICP-time of flight mass spectrometry (ICP-ToF-MS). Lead isotopic ratios measurements for lichens, soils, and crude oils were obtained by ICP-ToF-MS. We found that enrichment factors (EF) reflected a moderate contamination for 71% of the samples (EF > 10). The Pb/Pb ratio values for lichens ranged from 1.17 to 1.20 and were a mixture of natural radiogenic and industrial activities (e.g., crude oils and fire plants). The low concentration of Pb found in gasoline (<7.0 μg L) confirms the official statement that leaded gasoline is no longer used in Cuba.

Performance of second generation ICP-TOFMS for (multi-)isotope ratio analysis: a case study on B, Sr and Pb and their isotope fractionation behavior during the measurements

“…Nevertheless, the reported isotope ratio precision of Sr is comparable to the previously reported precision of Cu and Ag isotopes measured by second generation ICP-TOFMS. 27,33 In case of Pb, the isotope ratio precision reported here is better than reported in most previously studies using first and second generation ICP-TOFMS 24,27,39,42,59 except for one study using first generation ICP-TOFMS that reported comparable results 18 (see Table S1 in ESI†). A previous study using second generation ICP-TOFMS investigated the relationship between integration time and isotope ratio precision and showed that the isotope ratio precision can be as good as 0.02% when extended integration times of 100 s are used.…”

“…, 205 Tl/ 203 Tl for Pb. 35,39 This IIF correction factor f is subsequently applied to the isotopic system of interest assuming a constant IIF for both elements. 37 The internal inter-elemental IIF correction model can correct for mass dependent IIF but not for any mass independent IIF.…”

Heavy Metal Content and Health Risk Assessment of Urban Road Dust from the Historical Center of Havana, Cuba

“…The highest value of EFZn=61.6 was determined at station 24 as expected due to his high Zn concentration at this station close to the former car bodyshop, punchbowls and constructions. In Cuba, leaded fuels are not used since the end of the 90s (Montero et al 2017).…”

Methanol-based extraction protocol for insoluble and moderately water-soluble nanoparticles in plants to enable characterization by single particle ICP-MS

“…Further, to the authors' knowledge, this is the first application of the unique full-spectra capabilities single particle ICP-TOF-MS analysis to detect and characterize NP in plant tissues. Older generations of ICP-TOF-MS technologies (without single particle capabilities) have been used to quantify co-occurrence of analytes in samples, including plant tissue-based samples [75][76][77], and this type of analysis is extended here. While ICP-TOF-MS was useful for the evaluation of the method, the lack of association of plant material with the NP indicates that TOF-MS is not essential to characterize the single-metal NP types tested here.…”