Multi-metal contamination of a calcic cambisol by fallout from a lead-recycling plant

Abstract

The present study deals with the impact of a lead-recycling plant on metal accumulation in soils, evaluated by a global pedological analysis. This general approach can be used on various contaminated sites to evaluate impact of an anthropogenic activity and inform on metal origin and behavior. A soil profile collected in the vicinity of a lead-recycling plant in operation for 40 years was studied. Correlations between major and trace elements highlighted different patterns of metals according to their origins. Two groups of metals were identified: (i) Pb, Sb, Sn, As, Cu and Zn of anthropogenic origin and (ii) Ni and Cr of natural origin. The results showed that Pb, Sb and Sn presented the highest relative contamination followed by Cu, As and Zn. Moreover, Pb and Sb migrated most along the profile at an estimated rate of 1.5 cm y−1, followed by Sn, then Zn, Cu and finally As. Sequential extractions showed that all metals were mainly solubilized by reduction and therefore estimated to be bound to iron oxides, except lead which was rather in the acid-soluble fraction in the contaminated horizons. Furthermore, high levels of lead were found in water-soluble and exchangeable fractions (4.2 mg kg−1) suggesting the occurrence of lead transfer towards the trophic chain.