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Quantifying Diffuse Contamination: Method and Application to Pb in Soil.

Karl Fabian1, Clemens Reimann1, Patrice de Caritat2

  • 1Geological Survey of Norway (NGU) , P.O. Box 6315 Sluppen, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

A new method uses cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) to detect diffuse contamination. This approach analyzes geochemical data to quantify widespread pollution across regional scales.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Geochemistry
  • Geochemical Prospecting

Background:

  • Diffuse contamination poses a significant environmental challenge at continental and regional scales.
  • Existing methods may lack the precision for quantifying widespread, low-level pollution.
  • Understanding elemental distribution patterns is crucial for environmental monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce a novel method for detecting and quantifying diffuse contamination using cumulative distribution functions (CDFs).
  • To establish a robust approach for analyzing large, spatially representative geochemical datasets.
  • To provide quantitative estimates of diffuse lead (Pb) contamination in various global regions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) and cumulative probability (CP) plots for geochemical data.
  • Utilizing datasets with preferably >1000 determinations for robust statistical analysis.
  • Comparing elemental distributions: (1) contaminating element vs. geochemically similar non-contaminating element (e.g., Pb vs. Rb), and (2) topsoil vs. subsoil elemental distributions.

Main Results:

  • Diffuse contamination is identified by a distinct shift in the low-concentration end of an element's CP plot.
  • The method successfully detected and quantified diffuse Pb contamination in soil datasets from Europe, Australia, and the USA.
  • Estimated diffuse Pb contamination levels: <0.5 mg/kg (Australia), 1-3 mg/kg (Europe), 1-2 mg/kg or <5 mg/kg (USA).

Conclusions:

  • The CDF-based method is effective for detecting and quantifying diffuse contamination at continental to regional scales.
  • This approach allows for the recognition of local contamination sources alongside widespread pollution.
  • The method provides a valuable tool for efficient monitoring of diffuse environmental contamination.