Abstract
The isotopic composition of lead pollution in the environment provides information as to the source of emission. The 206Pb/207Pb ratio for Canadian industrial emissions (1.153±0.005) is significantly less than U.S. industrial emissions (1.213±0.008) making it possible to determine the relative contributions of emissions from both countries within Eastern North America by means of a simple isotopic mixing model. Profundal sediments in lakes chronicle contaminant inputs and are therefore useful monitors of environmental pollution. Surface sediment from 32 sediment cores across Quebec and Ontario, Canada were analyzed for 206Pb/207Pb to ascertain the relative proportions of Pb emission from Canada and the U.S.A. Data show that U.S. contributions to the total lead burden in surficial sediments across much of southern Quebec and Ontario are often in excess of 50%. Local sources were particularly important in the Eastern Township region of Quebec which lies 200 km south east of the city of Montreal. The results are discussed in relation to the major sources of industrial lead emissions in North America.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Benoit, G. and Hemond, H. F.: 1990, Environ. Sci. Technol. 24, 1224.
Blais, J. M. and Kalff, J.: 1993, Biogeochemistry 23, 1.
Blais, J. M., Kalff, J., Cornett, R. J. and Evans, R. D.: 1995, J. Paleolimnol. 13, 169.
Charles, D. F., Binford, M. W., Furlong, E. T., Hites, R. A. and others: 1990, J. Paleolimnol. 3, 195.
Date, A. R. and Ying Cheung, Y.: 1987, Analyst 112, 1531.
Dillon, P. J., Lusis, M., Reid, R. and Yap, D.: 1988, Atmospheric Environment 22, 901.
Dillon, P. J. and Evans, R. D.: 1982, Hydrobiologia 91, 121.
Edgington, D. N. and Robbins, J. A.: 1976, Environ. Sci. Technol. 10, 266.
Environment Canada: 1985, Natural Inventory of Sources and Releases of Lead (1982), Report EPS 5/HA/3. Environment Canada p. 39.
Evans, R. D. and Rigler, F. H.: 1985, Water, Air, and Soil Pollut. 24: 141.
Flegal, A. R., Nriagu, J. O., Niemeyer, S. and Coale, K. H.: 1989, Nature 339, 455.
Hopper, J. F. and Barrie L. A.: 1988, Tellus 40B, 446.
Hopper, J. F., Ross, H. B., Sturges W. T. and Barrie, L. A.: 1991, Tellus 43B, 45.
Lavergne, C.: 1985, Gites minéraux à tonnage évaluée et production minérale du Quebec. Gouvernement du Québec. Ministère de I'Energie et des résources. DV 85-08
Lowenthal, D. H. and Rahn, K. A.: 1985, Atmospheric Environment 19, 2011.
Rosman, K. J. R., Chrisholm, W., Boutron, C. F., Candelone, J. P. and Gorlach, U.: 1993, Nature 362, 333.
Schut, P. H.], Evans, R. D. and Scheider, W. A.: 1986, Water, Air, and Soil Pollut. 28, 225.
Statistics Canada: 1910–1990, Canada Year Book, Department of Agriculture, Statistics Canada.
Sturges, W. T. and Barrie, L. A.: 1987, Nature 329, 144.
Sturges, W. T. and Barrie, L. A.: 1989, Atmospheric Environment 23, 1645.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Blais, J.M. Using isotopic tracers in lake sediments to assess atmospheric transport of lead in Eastern Canada. Water Air Soil Pollut 92, 329–342 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00283566
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00283566