Data on the particulate <----> dissolved speciation of total Pb (Sigma Pb)
in 175 rainwater samples from a variety of coastal marine environments have
been used to construct a composite 'pH-% Pb solubility' plot which covers
the pH range found in natural rainwaters, The % Sigma Pb solubility values
of the samples display large variations, ranging from > 90 to < 10%. The 'p
H-% Sigma Pb solubility' relationship is constrained by a relatively sharp
classical pH-edge, extending from pH similar to 5.0 at the high solubility
end to pH similar to 5.8 at the low solubility end. At pH values greater th
an that of this 'limiting' pH-edge, the % Sigma Pb solubility is < similar
to 10% at any solution pH. The composite plot therefore confirms that pH-me
diated adsorption/desorption reactions play a dominant role in controlling
the solubility of the Sigma Pb in precipitation. However, the plot shows a
wide range of Sigma Pb solubilities at pH values to the more acidic side of
the 'limiting' pH-edge. Lead in the dissolved state has the most significa
nt effect on aquatic systems, and the major environmental consequence of th
e variation in Sigma Pb solubilities at pH values less than that of the 'li
miting' pH-edge is that even in urban regions, where the scavenged aerosol
has relatively high concentrations of Pb in a potentially soluble form, the
actual % Sigma Pb solubility in rainwater can have large variations (< sim
ilar to 10 to > similar to 90% of the Sigma Pb) over a narrow pH range. (C)
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