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High-precision Pb isotopic measurements of teeth and environmental samples from Sofia (Bulgaria): insights for regional lead sources and possible pathways to the human body

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

High-precision Pb isotopic measurements on teeth and possible sources in a given area can provide important insights for the lead (Pb) sources and pathways in the human body. Pb isotopic analyses on soils from the area of Sofia, Bulgaria show that Pb is contributed by three end-members represented by two natural sources and leaded gasoline. Sequential leaching experiments reveal that the alumosilicate fraction of the soils is mainly controlled by natural Pb derived from two mountain massifs bordering the city. Around 1/3 to a half of the Pb in the soil leachates, however, can be explained by contamination from leaded gasoline. Contemporary teeth from Sofia residents show very similar Pb isotopic compositions to the soil leachates, also indicating that around 1/3 to a half of the Pb can be explained by derivation from leaded gasoline. The remarkable isotopic similarities between the teeth and the most labile fractions of the local soils suggest that the lead can be derived from the latter. Pb incorporation in the human body via soil-plant–human or soil–plant–animal–human chains is unlikely due to the fact that no significant farming occurs in the city area. The isotopic compositions of the local soil labile fractions can be used as approximation of the bioaccessible lead for humans. Considering all possible scenarios it appears that soil and/or soil-born dust inhalation and/or ingestion is the most probable pathway for incorporation of local soil lead in the local population. The high-precision Pb isotope data presented in this work indicate that apparently the local soil is what plays major role in the human Pb exposure.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to E. Popov and V. Dekov for providing samples from the Sofia area. This study would not be possible without the teeth samples donated by Drs Borisov and Veleva. G. Kamenov was supported by University of Florida Alumni Fellowship and NSF EAR-0418905 grant during the course of this work. L. Sigg provided constructive comments on an early version of the manuscript. The original text was improved following constructive suggestions by two anonymous reviewers.

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  1. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    George D. Kamenov

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Correspondence to George D. Kamenov.

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Kamenov, G.D. High-precision Pb isotopic measurements of teeth and environmental samples from Sofia (Bulgaria): insights for regional lead sources and possible pathways to the human body. Environ Geol 55, 669–680 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-1017-y

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