Tracking lead contamination sources of sediments in Lake Andong using lead isotopes

The objective of this study was to identify Pb pollution sources of sediments in Lake Andong. We analysed Pb isotopes in sediments from Lake Andong, soils and mining tails from the watershed as well as sludges and wastewater from zinc smelting facilities which exists in upper stream of Lake Andong. The Pb isotope ratios (Pb-207/Pb-206 and Pb-208/Pb-206) for sediments are 0.827 +/- 0.004 and 2.041 +/- 0.015, which showed similar values with those of mining tails, 0.815 +/- 0.002 and 2.016 +/- 0.006, respectively. The isotopic ratio values of soils existed in the range of 0.756 similar to 0.881 and 1.872 similar to 2.187. In imported zinc ores, the isotopic ratio values existed in the range of 0.816 similar to 0.956 (mean 0.832) and 2.029 similar to 2.219 (mean 2.059). These values were similar to those in zinc and lead concentrate originated from Canada and South America. Additionally, isotopic ratio values for sludge and wastewater were 17.515 +/- 0.155, 15.537 +/- 0.018, and 37.357 +/- 0.173, respectively. The Pb isotopic ratio of sediments showed binary combination patterns with soil and mining tails, which were similar to those for Korean Pb ore.