Griffore, Melissa
(2017)
A 4,000 YEAR LAKE SEDIMENT RECORD OF ATMOSPHERIC LEAD
POLLUTION FROM NORTHWESTERN SPAIN.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
The Iberian Peninsula is rich in mineral resources that have been repeatedly exploited for hundreds, and sometimes thousands of years, leaving a legacy of metal pollution in the environment. This study presents a c. 4,000-year lake sediment record of atmospheric lead (Pb) deposition from Laguna Roya (42° 8'8.42"N, 6°47'38.95"E), a small glacial lake located in the Sierra Segundera of northwestern Spain. A chronological profile of Pb accumulation was reconstructed using the Pb concentration ([Pb]) and 206Pb/207Pb isotope ratios to elucidate the regional lead pollution history. Anthropogenic lead emissions are indicated after c. 500 BC, when 206Pb/207Pb ratios begin to decrease and [Pb] begins to increase. There is an abrupt maximum [Pb] peak (63 ppm), and minimum 206Pb/207Pb= 1.1760 that occurs c. 15 BC, prior to the Roman occupation of the region. After the Fall of Rome (c. 550 AD), [Pb] decreases to 15 ppm. The 206Pb/207Pb increases to c. 1.1858 and remains relatively constant until just prior to the Industrial Revolution (c. 1820 AD) when atmospheric Pb deposition begins to steadily increase again. The [Pb] reaches a maximum (39 ppm) in 1972 AD and 206Pb/207Pb reaches a minimum (1.1688) in 1995 AD.
Source attribution of the anthropogenic Pb was estimated and compared to published lead isotope values of ores associated with mining sites throughout the Iberian Peninsula. It was found that the sources of atmospheric lead pollution prior to 1700 AD are ore deposits from the northwest of the peninsula. From 1700 AD until the mid-20th century the primary Pb emission sources are ores from the southwestern Iberian Pyrite Belt and the south-central Linares-La
Carolina mining districts. After 1960, leaded gasoline became a primary lead pollution source. It is estimated, that in 1972, 29% of the atmospheric Pb deposited in Laguna Roya was from leaded gasoline and 52% was from the southwestern and south-central ore fields. The Pb pollution record in Laguna Roya sediments not only illustrates the persistence and pervasiveness of lead pollution throughout history, but it also demonstrates how Pb concentrations and isotopic signatures in sediment archives reflect changes in both industrial activities, and trade relations throughout history.
Share
| Citation/Export: |
|
| Social Networking: |
|
Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
|
| Date: |
21 September 2017 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
19 April 2017 |
| Approval Date: |
21 September 2017 |
| Submission Date: |
28 August 2017 |
| Access Restriction: |
5 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 5 years. |
| Number of Pages: |
71 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Geology and Environmental Science |
| Degree: |
MS - Master of Science |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Pb, legacy, metal, emissions, Roman, mining, Iberia, mining, geochemical, chemical, tracer, archive |
| Additional Information: |
This is the first corrected version |
| Date Deposited: |
21 Sep 2017 22:57 |
| Last Modified: |
21 Sep 2022 05:15 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/33162 |
Metrics
Monthly Views for the past 3 years
Plum Analytics
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
![[feed]](/images/feed-icon-32x32.png){kind=icon}