J. Phys. IV France 107 (2003) 487
DOI: 10.1051/jp4:20030347

An atmospheric lead source-areas apportionment study in Europe

P. Flament¹, K. Deboudt¹, M.-L. Bertho², A. Véron³ and E. Puskaric<sup>2

1</sup>  Laboratoire Biogéochimie et Environnement du Littoral (LABEL), Université du Littoral-Côte d'Opale, UMR 8013 du CNRS, ELICO, 32 avenue Foch, 62930 Wimereux, France
²  Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire en Sciences de l'Environnement (LISE), Université du Littoral-Côte d'Opale, UMR 8013 du CNRS, ELICO, 32 avenue Foch, 62930 Wimereux, France
³  Université d'Aix-Marseille III, Géosciences de l'Environnement, UMR 6536 du CNRS, CEREGE, BP. 80, 13545 Aix-en-Provence cedex 4, France

Abstract
Atmospheric particulate matter samples, for which the origin of aerosols was unambiguousty determined, has been collected ìn the Eastern Channel (Northem France). Associated lead concentrations are higher by a factor of about 7, when air masses are runnig from continental Europe, by comparison with marine air masses. We statistically evidence that air masses originating from continental Europe exhibit a more radiogenic composition (1.134 < ²⁰⁶Pb/ ²⁰⁷Pb <1.172) than air masses coming from British Islands (1.106 < ²⁰⁶Pb/ ²⁰⁷Pb <1.1243. Generally, lead isotopic compositions in aerosols are dearly distinct from the gasoline signatures in European countries, strongly suggesting that automotive lead is no more the major component of this metal in the air. Gasoline and industrial isotopic signatures could explain the origin of lead in our aerosol samples. A source apportionment based upon ²⁰⁶Pb/ ²⁰⁷Pb ratios suggests that thé difference between British ( ²⁰⁶Pb/ ²⁰⁷Pb = 1.122 0.038) and continental ( ²⁰⁶Pb/ ²⁰⁷Pb = 1.155 0.022) signatures may be explained by differenees iro the petrol leard content of aerosols (23 to 62% in Great Britain versus 10 to 36% in continental Europe).

© EDP Sciences 2003