Isotopic characterisation of lead in contaminated soils from the vicinity of a non-ferrous metal smelter near Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Soil samples from the vicinity of a non-ferrous metal smelter near Plovdiv, Bulgaria contained very high concentrations of cadmium, lead and zinc (up to 140, 4900 and 5900 mg kg(-1), respectively). A roadside soil in a relatively uncontaminated area also contained high concentrations of the same metals (24, 1550 and 1870 mg kg(-1), respectively) indicating that the transport of ores could be a source of contamination. Even though the lead isotope ratios in all the samples fell within a very narrow range (for example, 1.186-1.195 for (206)Pb/(207)Pb), the samples could be differentiated into three distinct groups: ores ((206)Pb/(207)Pb and (208)Pb/(207)Pb ratios of 1.1874-1.1884 and 2.4755-2.4807, respectively), current deposition (1.1864 and 2.4704-2.4711, respectively) and local background (1.1927-1.1951 and 2.4772-2.4809, respectively). Although most of the current deposition has its origin in the ores used at the smelter, up to 12% could be from other sources such as petrol lead.     

Three-Dimensional Ground-Based Measurements of Urban Air Quality to Evaluate Satellite Derived Interpretations for Urban Air Pollution

Urban air quality and meteorological measurements were carried out in the region of Brescia (Italy) simultaneously to the acquisition of satellite data during winter and summer smog conditions in 1999. The main objectives of the campaigns were: delivery of data for the validation of air pollution interpretations based on satellite imagery, and determination of the aerosol optical thickness in spectral ranges similar to those used by satellites. During the winter campaign the ground-based network was complemented by local stations and by SODAR, DOAS, and FTIR remote sensing measurements. Size distributions of aerosol particles up to 4,000 m a.s.l. were measured by means of an ultra-light aircraft, which was also equipped with meteorological sensors and an ozone sensor. During the summer campaign an interference filter actinometer, an integrating nephelometer and an ozone LIDAR were operated additionally. The satellite images acquired and processed were taken from SPOT. Optical thickness retrieved from interference filter actinometer measurements were compared with the retrievals from the satellite imagery in the same spectral intervals. It is concluded that remaining aerosols in the reference image yield an off-set in the satellite retrieval data and that information about the vertical structure of the boundary layer is very important.