Assessment of trace metal pollution in roof dusts and soils near a large Zn smelter

Abstract The spatial extent of dust emissions from a Zn smelter was assessed based on metal concentrations in roof dust samples. In addition, the vertical mobility of metal loads in soils was assessed from metal concentrations and Pb isotopic compositions. Moreover, the source apportionment of metals in the roof dusts and soils was estimated using Pb isotopes. A total of 13 roof dust and 11 smelter dust samples were collected respectively from residential houses and smelter stacks. The vertical distribution in soils was assessed at 10 cm intervals in four sites along the predominant wind direction. High metal concentrations were found in the roof dusts, which were enriched in Zn, Pb, Cd, and Cu by a factor of 48–937, 13–169, 161–3400 and 10–135, respectively, compared to the regional background values of soils, depending on the distance from the smelter. Horizontal extents of the airborne metal transport were estimated to exceed the impact radius (