Abstract
© 2018 Ceramic fragments and fractionated (<2 mm) sediment have been sampled from two beaches in southwest England, along with sediment from a control beach where ceramic waste was lacking. Analysis of the glazed ceramic surfaces by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry returned concentrations of Pb up to 729,000 mg kg−1, while XRF analysis of sediment samples revealed high but heterogeneous concentrations of Pb at the two sites impacted by ceramic waste (median = 292 and 737 mg kg−1) compared with the control beach (median ~ 20 mg kg−1). These observations are attributed to the disposal of contemporary and historical ceramic products, and the subsequent attrition of material and contamination of local sediment. Extraction of a milled ceramic composite (Pb = 2780 mg kg−1) by 1 M HCl, revealed a high (34%) environmental mobility and availability of Pb; extraction in a solution of protein, however, suggested a low (0.1%) bioaccessibility to sediment-ingesting invertebrates.
DOI
10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.11.013
Publication Date
2018-11-08
Publication Title
Marine Pollution Bulletin
Volume
138
First Page
171
Last Page
176
ISSN
0025-326X
Embargo Period
2019-11-23
Organisational Unit
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Recommended Citation
Turner, A. (2018) 'Lead pollution of coastal sediments by ceramic waste', Marine Pollution Bulletin, 138, pp. 171-176. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.11.013
