Evaluation of a Multi-Isotope Approach as a Complement to Concentration Data within Environmental Forensics

• Published in: Minerals
• Main Authors: Simon Pontér, Stacy Sutliff-Johansson, Emma Engström, Anders Widerlund, Anna Mäki, Katerina Rodushkina, Cora Paulukat, Ilia Rodushkin
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020
• Subjects: isotope ratios; smelter; natural variability; fractionation groundwater contamination; heavy metals; Mineralogy; QE351-399.2; Northern Sweden
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/min11010037; https://doaj.org/article/dee58316e86e4da781d91a99e29fc531

Heavy metal contamination was identified in groundwater monitoring wells surrounding a waste deposit facility at the Rönnskär Cu–Pb–Zn smelter in Skellefteå, Northern Sweden, as well as in brackish water and sediments from the nearby harbor. Following an investigative study of the surrounding area, brackish water from the Baltic Sea and sediments from a nearby harbor were also determined to be contaminated. This study investigated the ranges of isotopic compositions of four elements (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in smelter materials (ores, products, and waste) and polluted groundwater sediments of the affected area. The study’s objective was to evaluate the variability of the polluting source and identify possible isotope fractionation. This study further assesses the viability of using isotopic information to identify the source of the pollutant. These data were used in combination with multi-element screening analysis and multivariate statistical techniques. Expanding the number of elements utilized in isotope tracing empowers our abilities to decipher the source(s) and the extent of environmental exposure from contamination events related to mining and refining operations.