The contribution of isotopes to the understanding of atmospheric pollution phenomena: an example from the Rouyn-Noranda region and the rest of the world

The presentation focuses on the use of isotopes to identify air pollution emission sources. Three research projects using lead isotope analysis are presented to demonstrate the application of this biomonitoring technique, namely the analysis of 1) the lichen Cladonia rangiferina around the Horne smelter in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, 2) aerosols in Beijing and 3) urban spider webs in Bogotá. Each project made it possible to quantitatively estimate the share of the various emission sources present and thus to specify the influence of different activities, such as industry, coal combustion, automobile traffic and even the presence of terrigenous lead.

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