Abstract
Samples of suspended particulate matter (SPM) were collected from the north eastern Irish Sea, under different tidal conditions. The SPM was extracted with 1M HCl and concentrations of Pb and stable isotopic ratios of Pb (206/207Pb) determined using atomic absorption spectrometry and ICP-MS. Lead concentrations were found to be in the range 49 to 115 μg g−1 for spring tides and 72 to 148 μg g−1 for neap tides. The206/207Pb ratios, which were between 1.140 and 1.194, were used to establish possible sources of SPM during the tidal cycle. Samples of surface sediments from along the coastline showed evidence of anthropogenic Pb contamination in the vicinity of Liverpool Bay, with low206/207Pb ratios of about 1.144, which increased northwards away from the estuary. The results are discussed in terms of the tidally-induced transport of SPM in the coastal boundary zone of the Irish Sea.
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Williams, M.R., Millward, G.E., Hill, S.J. et al. 206/207PB isotopic ratios applied to particulate transport processes-North eastern Irish Sea. Netherlands Journal of Aquatic Ecology 28, 353–358 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02334204
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02334204