Successful application of lead isotopes in source apportionment, legal proceedings, remediation and monitoring

Gulson, Brian L.; Korsch, Michael; Winchester, W.; Devenish, M.; Hobbs, Thad; Main, Cleve; Smith, G. M.; Rosman, K.J.R.; Howearth, Lynette; Burn-Nunes, Laurie J.; Seow, Jimmy; Oxford, Cameron; Yun, Gracie; Gillam, Lindsay; Crisp, Michelle

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2011.08.007

Cited by 26 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…In late 2006, the seaside community in Esperance Western Australia was alerted to thousands of native bird species dying [ 34 , 35 ]. The source of the lead (Pb) was thought to derive from the handling of Pb carbonate concentrate (Magellan mine) through the port, begun in July 2005.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concerns about Quadrupole ICP-MS Lead Isotopic Data and Interpretations in the Environment and Health Fields

Gulson

Kamenov

Manton

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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There has been a massive increase in recent years of the use of lead (Pb) isotopes in attempts to better understand sources and pathways of Pb in the environment and in man or experimental animals. Unfortunately, there have been many cases where the quality of the isotopic data, especially that obtained by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Q-ICP-MS), are questionable, resulting in questionable identification of potential sources, which, in turn, impacts study interpretation and conclusions. We present several cases where the isotopic data have compromised interpretation because of the use of only the major isotopes 208Pb/206Pb and 207Pb/206Pb, or their graphing in other combinations. We also present some examples comparing high precision data from thermal ionization (TIMS) or multi-collector plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) to illustrate the deficiency in the Q-ICP-MS data. In addition, we present cases where Pb isotopic ratios measured on Q-ICP-MS are virtually impossible for terrestrial samples. We also evaluate the Pb isotopic data for rat studies, which had concluded that Pb isotopic fractionation occurs between different organs and suggest that this notion of biological fractionation of Pb as an explanation for isotopic differences is not valid. Overall, the brief review of these case studies shows that Q-ICP-MS as commonly practiced is not a suitable technique for precise and accurate Pb isotopic analysis in the environment and health fields.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concerns about Quadrupole ICP-MS Lead Isotopic Data and Interpretations in the Environment and Health Fields

Gulson

Kamenov

Manton

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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“…Therefore, lead content and its isotope composition provide an ideal tool for identifying the sources and pathways of pollution (Ault et al, 1970;Graney et al, 1995). Gulson (2008) and Gulson et al (2012) have summarized the applications of lead isotopes in environmental health, such as source apportionment, pathways of lead in diverse environments from urban to mining communities, as well as various applications associated with pregnancy, the contribution of bone lead to blood lead in different periods, which confirm the successful applications of LIRs with emphasis on human investigation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Isotopic ratio based source apportionment of children's blood lead around coking plant area

Cao

Duan

Zhao

et al. 2014

Environment International

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Lead exposure in the environment is a major hazard affecting human health, particularly for children. The blood lead levels in the local children living around the largest coking area in China were measured, and the source of blood lead and the main pathways of lead exposure were investigated based on lead isotopic ratios ( 207 Pb/ 206 Pb and 208 Pb/ 206 Pb) in blood and in a variety of media, including food, airborne particulate matter, soil, dust and drinking water. The children's blood lead level was 5.25 (1.59 to 34.36 as range) μg dL −1 , lower than the threshold in the current criteria of China defined by the US Centers for Disease Control (10 μg dL −1 ). The isotopic ratios in the blood were 2.111 ± 0.018 for 208 Pb/ 206 Pb and 0.864 ± 0.005 for 207 Pb/ 206 Pb, similar to those of vegetables, wheat, drinking water, airborne particulate matter, but different from those of vehicle emission and soil/dust, suggesting that the formers were the main pathway of lead exposure among the children. The exposure pathway analysis based on the isotopic ratios and the human health risk assessment showed that dietary intake of food and drinking water contributed 93.67% of total exposed lead. The study further indicated that the coal used in the coking plant is the dominant pollution source of lead in children's blood.

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“…Apart from some soil and water samples, the proportion of contaminating Pb was >95% in the environmental samples. Lead isotopes were critical in resolving legal proceedings, were used in the remediation of premises, and in monitoring of workers involved in the decontamination of the storage facility [ 4 , 5 ]. Roof and gutter samplings were undertaken in the early stages of the cleanup in Esperance but because of the absence of a guideline Pb value for such wipes, variable results, and no strong link between gutter sludge, rainwater tank and roof surface results, such sampling was discontinued (Matt Devenish, personal communication, 2015).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ore processing and handling facilities are commonly located in harbours where potential exposure of urban neighbourhoods can occur. Some examples where contamination arising from bulk mineral rail transport and port unloading and loading has taken place include Callao Peru [ 1 ], Alaska [ 2 ], Russia [ 3 ], Esperance in Western Australia [ 4 , 5 ] and Townsville Queensland Australia [ 6 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Dust from Ore Processing Facilities on Rain Water Collection Tanks in a Tropical Environment—The Obvious Source “Ain’t Necessarily So”

Gulson

Korsch

Bradshaw

2016

IJERPH

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Concerns have been expressed that dust from the minerals processing facilities at Karumba Queensland Australia have resulted in elevated lead (Pb) concentrations in rain water tanks. The ores derived from the Century mine some 304 km from the port. High precision Pb isotopic measurements on environmental samples have been undertaken to evaluate the source of Pb in rainwaters and acid digests from roof wipes and gutter wipes. There does not appear to be any relationship between sample location and the processing facility but samples from the area subject to the prevailing winds show the highest contribution of Century Pb. All gutter wipes (82 to 1270 µg Pb/wipe) have contributions of Century ore ranging from 87% to 96%. The contribution of Century ore to five roof wipes (22 to 88 µg Pb/wipe) ranges from 89% to 97% and in the other two samples there is a mix of Century and Broken Hill Pb. Three of the seven rainwater have contributions of Century ore Pb ranging from 33% to 75%. Two of the other four rainwater samples have the highest water Pb concentrations of 88 and 100 µg/L and their isotopic data show Broken Hill Pb contributions ranging from 77% to 80%. The source of the Broken Hill Pb is probably from the galvanized roofing material and/or brass fittings in the rainwater tanks. The discrimination between various sources is only detectable using high precision 204Pb-based isotopic ratios and not the now common inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS ) data presentations of the higher abundance isotopes 208Pb, 207Pb and 206Pb. Isotopic results for the waters demonstrate that apportioning blame where there is an obvious point source may not always be the correct conclusion. Nevertheless the isotopic data for the gutter wipes indicates that there was widespread contamination from the processing facilities throughout the town.

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Successful application of lead isotopes in source apportionment, legal proceedings, remediation and monitoring

Cited by 26 publications

References 13 publications

Concerns about Quadrupole ICP-MS Lead Isotopic Data and Interpretations in the Environment and Health Fields

Concerns about Quadrupole ICP-MS Lead Isotopic Data and Interpretations in the Environment and Health Fields

Isotopic ratio based source apportionment of children's blood lead around coking plant area

Impact of Dust from Ore Processing Facilities on Rain Water Collection Tanks in a Tropical Environment—The Obvious Source “Ain’t Necessarily So”

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