Modelling lead bioaccessibility in urban topsoils based on data from Glasgow, London, Northampton and Swansea, UK

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 171; pp. 265 - 272
• Main Authors: Appleton, J.D., Cave, M.R., Wragg, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Air. Soil. Water. Waste. Feeding; Applied sciences; Bioaccessibility; Biological and medical sciences; Biological and physicochemical properties of pollutants. Interaction in the soil; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environment. Living conditions; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Environmental Pollution - statistics & numerical data; Exact sciences and technology; Lead; Lead - analysis; London; Medical sciences; Models, Chemical; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Risk Assessment; Soil - chemistry; Soil and sediments pollution; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Topsoil; United Kingdom; Urban; Wales; United Kingdom; Europe; Lead; Urban; Topsoil; Bioaccessibility; UK; Human; Linear regression; Exposure; Urban area; Bioavailability; Forecast model; Mutagen; Soil pollution; Modeling; Heavy metal; Ingestion; Statistical method; Trace element; Health and environment; Child; Public health
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2012.06.018

Predictive linear regression (LR) modelling between bioaccessible Pb and a range of total elemental compositions and soil properties was executed for the Glasgow, London, Northampton and Swansea urban areas in order to assess the potential for developing a national urban bioaccessible Pb dataset for the UK. LR indicates that total Pb is the only highly significant independent variable for estimating the bioaccessibility of Pb. Bootstrap resampling shows that the relationship between total Pb and bioaccessible Pb is broadly the same in the four urban areas. The median bioaccessible fraction ranges from 38% in Northampton to 68% in London and Swansea. Results of this study can be used as part of a lines of evidence approach to localised risk assessment but should not be used to replace bioaccessibility testing at individual sites where local conditions may vary considerably from the broad overview presented in this study.
► Total Pb is the only significant predictor for bioaccessible Pb in UK urban topsoils. ► Bootstrap resampling confirms relationship similar in four urban areas. ► Median bioaccessible fraction ranges from 38 to 68%. ► Results can be used for initial risk assessment in UK urban areas.
Total Pb is the only significant predictor for bioaccessible Pb in topsoils from four urban areas in the UK.