A Practical Procedure for Analysis of Lead Isotopes in Bivalve Shells Using Laser Ablation Multicollector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS). Issue 12 (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pessoa, Igor; Cunha, Bruno; Coelho, Marco; Romero, Luiz Felipe; Tavares, Armando Dias; Antonioli, Luzia; Moterani, Ana Carolina
• Is Part Of: Applied spectroscopy. Volume 76:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: 1440
• Page End: 1451
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Trace element uptake -- bivalve mollusk shells -- geochemical proxies -- metal contamination -- Ilha Grande Bay; Spectrum analysis -- Periodicals; 543.505
• DOI: 10.1177/00037028221120432
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-7028

Abstract

Lead, like other trace elements, is incorporated in the growing bands of bivalve shells. The chemicals stored into the shells can provide valuable information about seawater conditions during the period of shell formation. In this study, we present a practical approach to determine Pb isotopic signatures in bivalve shells as a tool for evaluating lead pollution in coastal waters. To demonstrate the applicability of the method, Pb isotopic fingerprinting in bivalve shell layers were investigated using laser ablation multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS). Lead isotope ratios ( 208 Pb/ 206 Pb and 206 Pb/ 207 Pb) were measured along distinct sections of the maximum growth axis of the shells. Calibration and quantification of Pb isotopes were performed using NIST 612 as reference material. Our results demonstrated that Pb isotope ratios in the shells ranged from 1.143 to 1.201 for 206 Pb/ 207 Pb and from 2.061 to 2.161 for 208 Pb/ 206 Pb. The isotopic signatures recorded in the sample shells correspond to similar ranges of Pb signatures reported for marine sediments from the same study area. In general, this work shows that LA-MC-ICP-MS is a suitable technique for determining spatially resolved lead isotopic signatures in bivalve shells and that it can be used to estimate the origin of Pb pollution in aquatic environments. Graphical Abstract