Bioavailability of lead from vitrified slagged aggregate

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the leachability of lead (Pb) from a vitrified slagged aggregate (VSA) into water, as well as the bioaccumulation of lead into specified tissues of sunfish (Lepomis megalotis) maintained in aquaria containing VSA over a period of 100 days. The experiments consisted of solubility studies comparing the leaching or release of lead from 600 and 1200 g of VSA into aquaria. Over the course of the study, results indicate that relative to controls there occurred no leaching of lead from the VSA into the water. In addition, there was no apparent contribution of lead from the VSA with respect to bioaccumulation in the specified tissues of fish (gills, skeleton, skin and scales, muscle, and viscera). There was, however, a significant dose-dependent bioaccumulation of lead in fish housed in aquaria containing a soluble salt of lead (50 and 100 ppb lead as lead nitrate). These studies indicate that bioaccessibility is an important component in determining the ultimate bioavailability of lead.