Multi-isotope signatures (Cu, Zn, Pb) of different particle sizes in road-deposited sediments: a case study from industrial area

Abstract

Road-deposited sediments (RDS) are major sources of heavy metal contamination in urban areas and adversely affect surrounding environments and human health. Multi-isotope combinations (Cu, Zn, and Pb), which serve as environmental tracers, enable the identification and management of metal contaminants in RDS. Here, we present Cu, Zn, and Pb isotopic data for the first time in size-fractionated RDS samples collected from industrial areas to describe the relationship between the RDS and total suspended solids (TSS) in runoff, and to explore the feasibility of using multi-isotopes to identify sources of metal contamination. RDS in the industrial study areas had high concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Pb, and their δ65CuAE647, δ66ZnIRMM3702, and 206Pb/207Pb values ranged from − 0.33 to + 0.73‰, − 0.36 to + 0.01‰, and 1.1418 to 1.1616, respectively. The variation in δ65CuAE647 (δ65Cumax-min) was larger than that of δ66ZnIRMM3702 (i.e., δ66Znmax-min), and the isotope values of Zn and Pb (206Pb/207Pb) tended to increase with the concentrations of these elements. Meanwhile, the fine RDS particles (< 63 µm) had similar Cu, Zn, and Pb isotopic compositions to those of TSS. Hierarchical cluster analyses revealed that the < 63 µm RDS fractions were associated with the TSS. Our results also showed that a combination of Pb and either Cu or Zn could be used to distinguish between RDS and non-exhaust emissions (e.g., brake pads, tires, etc.). Multi-isotope approaches utilizing Cu, Zn, and Pb and more robust isotopic data on individual sources of metal contamination could be useful for identifying pollution sources and understanding their environmental impacts.

Characteristics of Potentially Toxic Elements, Risk Assessments, and Isotopic Compositions (Cu-Zn-Pb) in the PM10 Fraction of Road Dust in Busan, South Korea

“…On the other hand, the average 206 Pb/ 207 Pb ratio of this study had a lower value than industrial areas [109]. In the plots of concentration and isotopic composition for Cu and Pb, the urban area (this study) can be clearly distinguished from the industrial area (Figure S2) [109]. This industrial area provided a clear signal, as it was heavily contaminated with Cu and Pb compared to Zn.…”

“…The enrichment factors showed extremely polluted level in terms of Sb, Cd, Zn, and Pb, and strongly polluted levels for Cu. Based on average EF value, the PTEs can be ranked as follows: Sb > Cd > Zn > Pb > Cu > As > Cr > Ni > Hg > Co. Ecological risk assessment indicated that the The average δ 65 Cu AE647 and δ 66 Zn IRMM3702 values of this study are slightly higher than those of heavily industrialized areas [109]. On the other hand, the average 206 Pb/ 207 Pb ratio of this study had a lower value than industrial areas [109].…”

“…Based on average EF value, the PTEs can be ranked as follows: Sb > Cd > Zn > Pb > Cu > As > Cr > Ni > Hg > Co. Ecological risk assessment indicated that the The average δ 65 Cu AE647 and δ 66 Zn IRMM3702 values of this study are slightly higher than those of heavily industrialized areas [109]. On the other hand, the average 206 Pb/ 207 Pb ratio of this study had a lower value than industrial areas [109]. In the plots of concentration and isotopic composition for Cu and Pb, the urban area (this study) can be clearly distinguished from the industrial area (Figure S2) [109].…”

Toxic metal concentrations and Cu–Zn–Pb isotopic compositions in tires

“…They are also closely related to environmental problems in the atmosphere and marine environments because particles derived from tire wear are easily resuspended by wind and transported by runoff without any treatment Page 2 of 10 Jeong Journal of Analytical Science and Technology (2022) 13:2 (Wagner et al 2018;Baensch-Baltruschat et al 2020;Jeong et al 2020a;Tamis et al 2021). In particular, particles from tire wear are an important contaminant that causes heavy metal pollution, especially Zn (Councell et al 2004;Adamiec 2017;Klöckner et al 2019;Jeong and Ra 2021b;Leifheit et al 2021). Road dust polluted by non-exhaust traffic emission increases the concentration of toxic metals as the particle size decreases.…”

Heavy Metal Contamination and Ecological Risk Assessments in Urban Mangrove Sediments in Zhanjiang Bay, South China

“…Group II may represent heavy metals from anthropogenic sources, such as domestic sewage and automobile exhaust emission. On the one hand, because the study area is located both in the densely populated residential and commercial areas in the central business district that are adjacent to high traffic roads, those heavy metals of Cu, Cd, and Pb may have been originated from traffic pollution such as automobile exhaust emission, tire wear, and ship pollution. ,− Additionally, the sewage outlet sampling site exhibited the highest pollution degree followed by the surrounding area of the sewage outlet sampling site. Group I represented natural sources of heavy metals originating from weathering and diagenetic processes because Co, V, Pb, Ni, and As exhibited unpolluted contents.…”