ISOTOPIC EVALUATION OF Pb OCCURRENCES IN THE RIVERINE ECOSYSTEMS OF THE KANKAKEE WATERSHED, ILLINOIS‐INDIANA¹

Abstract

Environmental background levels of Pb were measured in ponds, river waters, sediments, suspended sediments, rocks, and air particulates within the Kankakee watershed during the period of 1995 to 1999. Stable isotopic Pb distinguished airborne Pb and its incorporation into riverine wetland sediments from geogenic Pb measured in river sediments. The provenance of the naturally‐occurring Pb is from carbonate bedrock and contributes comparable concentrations in riverbank sediments (25.9–30.4 mg kg−1) as Pb found in wetland sediments (18.6–24.8 mg kg−1). Estimates of anthropogenic Pb contributions from airfall into the Kankakee wetlands were found to be near 0.43–0.71 Bq cm−2 yr−1 during 1995 to 1999. While leachable Pb data suggests the uppermost layers of pond sediments were disturbed, 210Pb analyses from undisturbed sedimentation suggests Pb‐bearing sediments accumulate approximately 0.46–0.51 cm yr−1 in the ponds within the riparian zones. Transboundary Pb pollution from aerosols of industrial Pb across the Great Lakes occurs, but Pb isotopy indicates that the Pb concentrations are comparable to natural concentrations of Pb in both waters and sediments within the Kankakee watershed.

Impact of submersible pumps on Pb constituents in residential wells

“…Field and collection protocols are described in Sidle et al (2001) and Sidle (2006). All samples were analyzed at the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) isotope hydrology laboratory for dissolved Pb via isotope dilution and also processed for stable isotope analyses.…”

Pb isotopes in drinking water: A new strategy for source detection of low Pb sources

“…Analytical advances (Sokolov et al in press) and sampling protocols (Sidle et al 2001) for thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS), which utilises magnetic sector technology, now permits precise and accurate Pb isotope determination of trace Pb quantities in all matrixes. Pb isotope analyses utilise mass spectrometry to separate the stable 204 Pb, 206 Pb, 207 Pb and 208 Pb mass ranges.…”

Deciphering Naturally Occurring Pb Contamination Impacting Drinking Water Wells: Shaker Village Catchment, Maine

“…Additional Pb isotope sampling was conducted on 10 boreholes with access to multiple screened intervals at depth. To ensure low-blank Pb analyses, the sampling protocol (Sidle et al, 2001) includes the use of polypropylene collection bottles (500 mL) that are decontaminated by soaking in 2 M HCl for 3 weeks after acetone rinsing in a controlled clean room equipped with a class-10 fume hood. Bottles are stored prior to use in a 0.5 M HNO 3 covered bath.…”