Estimating Distributions of Endogenous and Exogenous Pb in Soils by Using Pb Isotopic Ratios

Abstract

Metal contamination of soils by diffuse atmospheric deposition is a worldwide phenomenon. The assessment of incorporation of exogenous metal contaminants in soils is of major environmental importance. Once entering in the soil's biogeochemical cycling, specific pedogenetic soil processes govern metal distribution patterns with depth. In this paper, we attempt to estimate the distribution of endogenous and exogenous Pb in two soils with contrasting pedogenesis, both representative of undisturbed ecosystems. Pb isotope analyses were performed using high-precision thermal ionization mass spectrometry. Endogenous and exogenous Pb concentrations and exogenous 206Pb/207Pb ratios of the samples were calculated using bulk Pb and Sc concentrations and bulk 206Pb/207Pb ratios. Endogenous Pb distribution was in agreementwith dominant soil characteristics, almost constant in the young Andosol and with a clear minimum and maximum in the eluvial and illuvial horizons of the Podzol. The distribution of exogenous Pb was closely related to that of organic C in both soils. Exogenous Pb was evidenced in significant amounts at depth. Using moderate dispersive particle-size fractionation allowed us to evidence the presence of exogenous Pb in functional soil compartments and to highlight preferential distributions of Pb, according to pedology.