Heavy metal contamination was identified in groundwater monitoring wells surrounding a waste deposit facility at the Rönnskär Cu–Pb–Zn smelter in Skellefteå, Northern Sweden, as well as in brackish water and sediments from the nearby harbor. Following an investigative study of the surrounding area, brackish water from the Baltic Sea and sediments from a nearby harbor were also determined to be contaminated. This study investigated the ranges of isotopic compositions of four elements (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in smelter materials (ores, products, and waste) and polluted groundwater sediments of the affected area. The study’s objective was to evaluate the variability of the polluting source and identify possible isotope fractionation. This study further assesses the viability of using isotopic information to identify the source of the pollutant. These data were used in combination with multi-element screening analysis and multivariate statistical techniques. Expanding the number of elements utilized in isotope tracing empowers our abilities to decipher the source(s) and the extent of environmental exposure from contamination events related to mining and refining operations.

中文翻译：

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评价多同位素方法作为环境取证中浓度数据的补充

在瑞典北部Skellefteå的RönnskärCu-Pb-Zn冶炼厂的废物沉积设施周围的地下水监测井以及附近港口的咸淡水和沉积物中发现了重金属污染。在对周围地区进行调查研究之后，波罗的海的咸淡水和附近港口的沉积物也被确定受到污染。这项研究调查了受影响地区的冶炼材料（矿石，产品和废物）和受污染的地下水沉积物中四种元素（镉，铜，铅和锌）的同位素组成范围。该研究的目的是评估污染源的变异性，并确定可能的同位素分级分离。这项研究进一步评估了使用同位素信息识别污染物来源的可行性。这些数据与多元素筛选分析和多变量统计技术结合使用。扩大同位素示踪中所用元素的数量，使我们有能力从与采矿和精炼操作有关的污染事件中辨别污染源和环境暴露程度。