Yang, H;
Appleby, PG;
(2016)
Use of lead-210 as a novel tracer for lead (Pb) sources in plants.
Scientific Reports
, 6
, Article 21707. 10.1038/srep21707.
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Yang_1478214_srep21707.pdf - Published Version Download (827kB) |
Abstract
Lead (Pb) released from anthropogenic sources and stored in environmental repositories can be a potential source for secondary pollution. Here we develop a novel approach for tracking Pb from atmospheric deposition and other sources in the environment using fallout 210Pb as a tracer, and apply the method to samples collected from Richmond Park, London, the UK. The mean ratio of 210Pb to total Pb in atmospheric depositions collected from a site adjacent to the park during August–October 2012 was 96 Bq mg−1, while the ratio in surface soils from the park was typically an order of magnitude lower. The difference between these values made it possible to trace the source of Pb in the plants. The 210Pb/Pb ratios in plants varied from 0 to 34 Bq mg−1 indicating different levels of Pb absorption from the atmosphere. The ratio in mosses had an average value of 22 Bq mg−1. This suggests that only around 20% of the Pb they contain was from direct atmospheric deposition, revealing possible limitations in the use of terrestrial mosses for monitoring atmospheric pollution. As well as tracking sources, variations in the 210Pb/Pb ratio can also reveal ways in which Pb is transferred within plants.
Type: | Article |
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Title: | Use of lead-210 as a novel tracer for lead (Pb) sources in plants |
Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
DOI: | 10.1038/srep21707 |
Publisher version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep21707 |
Language: | English |
Additional information: | This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if the material is not included under the Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission from the license holder to reproduce the material. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS > Dept of Geography |
URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1478214 |
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