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Lead isotope ratios in lichen samples evaluated by ICP-ToF-MS to assess possible atmospheric pollution sources in Havana, Cuba

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Abstract

Epiphytic lichens, collected from 119 sampling sites grown over “Roistonea Royal Palm” trees, were used to assess the spatial distribution pattern of lead (Pb) and identify possible pollution sources in Havana (Cuba). Lead concentrations in lichens and topsoils were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectrometry, respectively, while Pb in crude oils and gasoline samples were measured by ICP-time of flight mass spectrometry (ICP-ToF-MS). Lead isotopic ratios measurements for lichens, soils, and crude oils were obtained by ICP-ToF-MS. We found that enrichment factors (EF) reflected a moderate contamination for 71% of the samples (EF > 10). The 206Pb/207Pb ratio values for lichens ranged from 1.17 to 1.20 and were a mixture of natural radiogenic and industrial activities (e.g., crude oils and fire plants). The low concentration of Pb found in gasoline (<7.0 μg L−1) confirms the official statement that leaded gasoline is no longer used in Cuba.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the International Atomic Energy Agency Technical Cooperation Project CUB 5018 for providing financial support for this study. We also thank GBC Scientific Equipment Pty Ltd. from Australia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Technological Applications and Nuclear Development, Calle 30 N° 502, Miramar, Playa, Havana, Cuba

    Alfredo Montero Alvarez & Juan R. Estévez Alvarez

  2. Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Dom Manuel de Medeiros S/N, Recife, Brazil

    Clístenes Williams Araújo do Nascimento

  3. High Institute of Technologies and Applied Sciences, Ave. Salvador Allende, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana, Cuba

    Iván Pupo González, Oscar Díaz Rizo, Lázaro Lima Carzola & Roberto Ayllón Torres

  4. Oil Research Center, Havana, Cuba

    Jorge Gómez Pascual

Authors
  1. Alfredo Montero Alvarez
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  2. Juan R. Estévez Alvarez
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  3. Clístenes Williams Araújo do Nascimento
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  4. Iván Pupo González
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  5. Oscar Díaz Rizo
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  6. Lázaro Lima Carzola
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  8. Jorge Gómez Pascual
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Correspondence to Clístenes Williams Araújo do Nascimento.

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Alvarez, A.M., Estévez Alvarez, J.R., do Nascimento, C.W.A. et al. Lead isotope ratios in lichen samples evaluated by ICP-ToF-MS to assess possible atmospheric pollution sources in Havana, Cuba. Environ Monit Assess 189, 28 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5739-8

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