Lead distribution in soils impacted by a secondary lead smelter: Experimental and modelling approaches

•Lead behavior was studied in smelter impacted soils.•A combination of experimental methods and modelling was employed.•Pb was mainly associated with organic matter and to a lesser degree with Mn oxides.•Pb was redistributed in soils after smelter particle deposition.

Smelting activities are one of the most common sources of trace elements in the environment. The aim of this study was to determine the lead distribution in upper horizons (0-5 and 5-10 cm) of acidic soils in the vicinity of a lead-acid battery recycling plant in northern France. The combination of chemical methods (sequential extractions), physical methods (Raman microspectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with an energy dispersive spectrometer) and multi-surface complexation modelling enabled an assessment of the behaviour of Pb. Regardless of the studied soil, none of the Pb-bearing phases commonly identified in similarly polluted environments (e.g., anglesite) were observed. Lead was mainly associated with organic matter and manganese oxides. The association of Pb with these soil constituents can be interpreted as evidence of Pb redistribution in the studied soils following smelter particle deposition.

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