Historical lead isotope record of a sediment core from the Derwent River (Tasmania, Australia): A multiple source environment

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 424; pp. 153 - 161
• Main Authors: Townsend, Ashley T., Seen, Andrew J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 01.05.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: 210Pb dating; Applied sciences; Cadmium; Copper; Derwent River; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental Monitoring; Exact sciences and technology; Geologic Sediments - analysis; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Iron; Isotope ratios; Isotopes - analysis; Lead (metal); Lead - analysis; Lead Radioisotopes - analysis; Metallurgy; Metals; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Pb isotope ratios; Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; Pollution, environment geology; Rivers; Rivers - chemistry; Sediment core; Sediments; Soil and sediments pollution; Spectrophotometry, Atomic; Tasmania; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Zinc; Zinc refinery; Australia; Tasmania; Oceania; Australia, Tasmania, Derwent R; Australia, Tasmania, Hellyer; British Isles, England, Tamar R; Pb isotope ratios; Derwent River; Sediment core; Zinc refinery; 210Pb dating; Metals; Isotopic analysis; Historical aspects; Lead isotopes; Lead 210; Metallurgical industry; Radioisotope; Isotope dating; Sediments; Heavy metal; Trace element; Pb dating; Pollution source; Stream; Anthropogenic factor
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.02.011

A 105cm sediment core from the Derwent River (Tasmania, Australia) was collected in 2004 and was characterised considering both physical (loss on ignition at 550°C and grain size) and chemical (Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb concentrations, Pb isotope ratios and 210Pb dating) properties. The core was analysed to (i) investigate the historical profiles of some important elements associated with the Risdon zinc refinery adjacent to the Derwent River, (ii) determine Pb isotopic signatures of sediment samples, and (iii) assess the veracity of Pb isotope ratios as indicators of contaminant Pb input. Extractable metal concentrations were (all values as mgkg−1, non-normalised for grain size) Fe: 20,000–35,000, Zn: 42–4500, Pb: 5–1090, Cu: 13–141, and Cd: 1–31; with a close correlation between Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb. Metal enrichment factors (normalised to Al) were Pb: 0.9–144, Zn: 0.8–93, Cd: 0.8–30, Cu: 0.8–8.9 and Fe: 0.9–1.3, confirming anthropogenic contributions of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd to the sediments. The onset of metal contamination above background levels occurred at a depth between 43 and 49cm, with maximum concentrations noted near 20cm for Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb. Lead isotope ratios were determined in sediments using sector field ICP-MS, and were found to be 36.5–38.8, 16.5–18.7 and 1.07–1.20 for 208Pb/204Pb, 206Pb/204Pb and 206Pb/207Pb ratios, respectively. Major Australian ores processed at the refinery over the previous ~90years include those from Broken Hill, Rosebery, Mt Isa, Elura, Hellyer and Century deposits. Anthropogenic impact by Pb with Broken Hill type isotopic ratio was initially evident in the core at 43–49cm. The introduction of Rosebery and Elura ores to the refinery was also clearly noted. Pb isotope ratios further highlight that the Derwent River has been exposed to a greater impact by anthropogenic Pb in comparison to other major Tasmanian rivers, namely the Huon and Tamar. ►Chemical and physical properties of a Derwent River sediment core were measured. ►Metal concentrations were Zn: 42–4500, Pb: 5–1090, Cu: 13–141, and Cd: 1–31mgkg−1. ►Enrichment factors were Pb: 0.9–144, Zn: 0.8–93, Cd: 0.8–30, Cu: 0.8–8.9. ►Pb isotope ratios reflected ores processed by the local zinc refinery.