Scholarly record
ASSESSING LEAD CONTAMINATION IN SNOWMELT: SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS IN JELGAVA
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution, particularly lead contamination, poses significant environmental and public health risks in urban areas. This study investigates the spatial distribution of lead in snowmelt within Jelgava, Latvia, to identify pollution sources, assess potential environmental impacts, and provide insights into urban pollution management. From 2020 to 2024, snow samples were collected from diverse urban locations, including highways, railway-adjacent zones, industrial districts, and residential areas. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis revealed the highest lead concentrations near highways (16.33 -g/L) and railway infrastructure (6.71 -g/L), followed by industrial zones (3.77 -g/L) and residential areas (0.89 -g/L). These results highlight the dominant role of traffic-related emissions and industrial activities in lead accumulation in urban snow. Compared to similar studies conducted in Finland and Russia, lead concentrations in Jelgava were notably higher, suggesting stronger local emission sources and less effective pollutant control. As temperatures rise, snowmelt facilitates the transport of lead into stormwater systems, posing risks to aquatic ecosystems and potentially affecting species sensitive to heavy metal exposure. The study contributes to existing knowledge by providing long-term, spatially detailed data from a Baltic urban environment-a region for which such datasets are still limited. Findings emphasize the need for targeted pollution mitigation strategies, including stricter traffic emission controls, improved stormwater filtration systems, and regular monitoring to prevent contaminant transfer to surface waters. Overall, this research supports policy development aimed at enhancing urban environmental resilience and safeguarding public health.
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References18
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