Investigations of Pb and Cu isotope signatures to trace contamination sources in the industrial area of Korea

Abstract

Many studies have been carried out to identify pollutants in environments, but it is difficult to pricisely investigate metal pollution sources by measuing metal concentrations. Recently, the application of metallic stable isotopes has become an effective technique for identifying and tracking anthropogenic sources. The Pb and Cu isotopes analysis in stream sediments were conducted to identifying the metal pollution soureces from industrial area of Korea. Mean of Pb and Cu concentration in stream sediments were 361.1 mg/kg (40.2-2,260 mg/kg) and 1,225 mg/kg (42.8-11,080 mg/kg), respectively. Pb and Cu concentration were highly vairable at sampling site. The results of enrichment factor showed that the stream sediments were severe contaminated with Pb and Cu. 208Pb/206Pb varied from 2.0983 to 2.1990 with average of 2.1331. The relationships between 207Pb/206Pb and 208Pb/206Pb ratios showed different regression lines for each stream. But, in the case of E and F streams, the differences between the sites affected by F stream and not affected were clearly distinguished. Pb isotope ratio (208Pb/206Pb) tend to decrease with increasing Pb concentrations. δ65Cu in stream sediments showed a large variation ranging between -0.16 ‰ and 0.64 ‰. The Cu isotopic variation at low concentration is much larger than that at high concentration. The average of δ65Cu isotopes from A to E streams were similar (0.08-0.13 ‰). Shingil me an effective technique for identifying and tracking anthropogenic sources. The Pb and Cu isotopes analysis in stream sediments were conducted to identifying the metal pollution soureces from industrial area of Korea. Mean of Pb and Cu concentration in stream sediments were 361.1 mg/kg (40.2-2,260 mg/kg) and 1,225 mg/kg (42.8-11,080 mg/kg), respectively. Pb and Cu concentration were highly vairable at sampling site. The results of enrichment factor showed that the stream sediments were severe contaminated with Pb and Cu. 208Pb/206Pb varied from 2.0983 to 2.1990 with average of 2.1331. The relationships between 207Pb/206Pb and 208Pb/206Pb ratios showed different regression lines for each stream. But, in the case of E and F streams, the differences between the sites affected by F stream and not affected were clearly distinguished. Pb isotope ratio (208Pb/206Pb) tend to decrease with increasing Pb concentrations. δ65Cu in stream sediments showed a large variation ranging between -0.16 ‰ and 0.64 ‰. The Cu isotopic variation at low concentration is much larger than that at high concentration. The average of δ65Cu isotopes from A to E streams were similar (0.08-0.13 ‰). Shingil