Abstract
A continuous record of atmospheric lead since 12,370 carbon-14 years before the present (14C yr BP) is preserved in a Swiss peat bog. Enhanced fluxes caused by climate changes reached their maxima 10,590 14C yr BP (Younger Dryas) and 8230 14 C yr BP. Soil erosion caused by forest clearing and agricultural tillage increased lead deposition after 5320 14C yr BP. Increasing lead/scandium and decreasing lead-206/lead-207 beginning 3000 14C yr BP indicate the beginning of lead pollution from mining and smelting, and anthropogenic sources have dominated lead emissions ever since. The greatest lead flux (15.7 milligrams per square meter per year in A.D. 1979) was 1570 times the natural, background value (0.01 milligram per square meter per year from 8030 to 5320 14C yr BP).
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1635-1640 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Science |
Volume | 281 |
Issue number | 5383 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 11 Sept 1998 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Multidisciplinary