Soil-plant interactions and the uptake of Pb at abandoned mining sites in the Rookhope catchment of the N. Pennines, UK - A Pb isotope study

► The spatial distribution of Pb isotopes in soil and plants is affected by altitude and wind direction. ► Grass uptake of Pb was largely through the root system and predicted using a model based on the free ion activity model. ► Historically deposited 'petrol type' Pb resides in soil/peat reservoirs close to the surface. ► The source of 'petrol type lead' found in plants originates from the historical Pb reservoir. ► Pb from different sources is mixed throughout the labile and non-labile pools.