Lead Pollution: Records in Southern California Coastal Sediments

1973156 citationsJournal Article

Authors

Tsaihwa J. Chow · Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Kenneth W. Bruland · Scripps Institution of Oceanography

K.K. Bertine · Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Andrew Soutar · Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Minoru Koide · University of California, San Diego

Edward D. Goldberg · University of California, San Diego

Abstract

The present anthropogenic lead fluxes into sediments from the Santa Monica, San Pedro, and Santa Barbara basins of Southern California are, respectively, 0.9, 1.7, and 2.1 micrograms of lead per square centimeter of sea bottom per year; the natural (prepollution) rates for these three basins were, respectively, 0.24, 0.26, and 1.0 microgram of lead per square centimeter per year. Studies of isotopic composition indicate that lead pollutants in coastal sediments are derived mainly from the combustion of lead additives in gasoline.

Topics & Keywords

Groundwater and Isotope Geochemistry Heavy metals in environment Water Quality and Resources Studies

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Life below water

Publication Details

Published in: Science

Volume 181, Issue 4099, pp. 551-552

DOI: 10.1126/science.181.4099.551

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 18.70