Lead Isotopic Compositions of Selected Coals, Pb/Zn Ores and Fuels in China and the Application for Source Tracing

Abstract

Lead (Pb) pollution emission from China is becoming a potential worldwide threat. Pb isotopic composition analysis is a useful tool to accurately trace the Pb sources of aerosols in atmosphere. In this study, a comprehensive data set of Pb isotopes for coals, Pb/Zn ores, and fuels from China was presented. The ratios of Pb/Pb and Pb/Pb in the coals were in the range of 1.114-1.383 and 1.791-2.317, similar to those from Europe, Oceania, and South Asia, but different from those from America (p < 0.01). The Pb/Zn ores had Pb/Pb and Pb/Pb in 1.020-1.183 and 2.088-2.309, less radiogenic than the coals. Leaded gasolines showed similar Pb isotopic compositions to Pb/Zn ores, with unleaded gasolines and diesels being mixed sources. The average Pb isotopic ratios of gasolines and diesels were significantly different (p < 0.01) from those of coals in China, leading to the possibility to discriminate Pb in fuels from in coals. Urban aerosols demonstrated similar Pb isotopic compositions to coals, Pb/Zn ores, and fuels in China. After removing the leaded gasoline, the Pb in aerosols is more radiogenic, supporting the heavy contribution of coal combustion to the atmospheric Pb pollution.

Evaluating Spatiotemporal Resolution of Trace Element Concentrations and Pb Isotopic Compositions of Honeybees and Hive Products as Biomonitors for Urban Metal Distribution

“…These include modern traffic emissions (unleaded gasoline still contains measurable amounts of Pb, e.g., Chrastný et al, 2018;Shiel et al, 2012), shipping emissions, and legacy sources ( Figures 5 and 6) (Smith et al, 2019). Most ships (>70%) arriving at Port of Vancouver originate from Asian ports (Fraser River Port Authority, 2017), where they have taken on bunkering fuel, perhaps derived from Asian geologic endmembers, which generally contain Pb that is distinctly less radiogenic than North American endmembers (e.g., Bi et al, 2017;Mukai et al, 2001). Additionally, since leaded paint and gasoline were used for much of the 20th century in North America, and Vancouver's Downtown East Side contains brownfields (former commercial or industrial land, currently unused) (Oka et al, 2014), there is likely more legacy Pb in the environment closer to the city center where traffic and historic buildings are most concentrated.…”

CO2 and SO2 emission characteristics of the whole process industry chain of coal processing and utilization in China

“…China is the largest producer and consumer of coal in the world (Bi et al 2017;Yin et al 2014). The total coal resources forecasted has reached 5.9 trillion tons.…”

Determination of Lead Elemental Concentration and Isotopic Ratios in Coal Ash and Coal Fly Ash Reference Materials Using Isotope Dilution Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry

“…Especially for lead, often known as a “chemical time bomb” due to its known toxicity, lead contamination can cause adverse effects on nervous, hemopoietic, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems in the human body [2]. In ecosystems, lead is one of the most common anthropogenic contaminants, which is primarily generated by combustion of coal, vehicle emissions, and smelting of nonferrous metals [3]. As one of the classical fossil fuels in industrialization and urbanization history, coal has been the foundation of energy generation since the industrial revolution in the late 18th century.…”

“…As the world’s largest producer and consumer of coal [3,7], China accounted for 50.2% [7] of the world coal consumption in 2012 and therefore is seriously contributing to atmospheric Pb pollution due to the large emission of Pb (~46,300 tons during the period of 1990–2009) from coal combustion [8]. As one of the most hazardous elements in coal, Pb can be released into the environment during coal mining, processing, and utilization.…”

“…During coal combustion or pyrolysis, Pb is partly emitted into the atmosphere and partly partitioned into solid residues as CCW. The accumulation of large amounts of ash from coal combustion for electric power plant generation may cause serious contamination of Pb and other heavy metals [9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16] (such as As, Hg, Ni, Cd, and Cr) in groundwater, soil, and air, thus becoming a major environmental concern in China [2,3,8]. Hence, identification and tracing of the source of Pb contamination [2,3,8], the timing of its release, and its pollutant transport pathway and distribution into the environment are crucial issues in investigation of CA and CFA pollution.…”