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Air Quality Criteria for Lead Volume II of II - (NEPIS)(EPA) - US ...

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solution phase, complexation with chelating agents (e.g., EDTA), and changing redox conditions<br />

(Gao et al., 2003). Changes in water chemistry (e.g., reduced pH or ionic composition) can<br />

cause sediment Pb to become remobilized and potentially bioavailable to aquatic organisms<br />

(Weber, 1993).<br />

Biotrans<strong>for</strong>mation<br />

Methylation may result in Pb remobilization and reintroduction into the aqueous<br />

environment compartment and its subsequent release into the atmosphere (Syracuse Research<br />

Corporation., 1999). However, methylation is not a significant environmental pathway<br />

controlling the fate <strong>of</strong> Pb in the aquatic environment. The microbial methylation <strong>of</strong> Pb in aquatic<br />

systems has been demonstrated experimentally, but evidence <strong>for</strong> natural occurrence is limited<br />

(Beijer and Jernelov, 1984; DeJonghe and Adams, 1986). Reisinger et al. (1981) examined the<br />

methylation <strong>of</strong> Pb in the presence <strong>of</strong> numerous bacteria known to alkylate metals and did not find<br />

evidence <strong>of</strong> Pb methylation under any test condition. Tetramethyl-Pb may be <strong>for</strong>med by the<br />

methylation <strong>of</strong> Pb-nitrate or Pb-chloride in sediments (Bodek et al., 1988). However,<br />

tetramethyl-Pb is unstable and may degrade in aerobic environments after being released from<br />

sediments (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1986b). Methylated species <strong>of</strong> Pb may also<br />

be <strong>for</strong>med by the decomposition <strong>of</strong> tetralkyl-Pb compounds (Radojevic and Harrison, 1987;<br />

Rhue et al., 1992). Sadiq (1992) reviewed the methylation <strong>of</strong> Pb compounds and suggested that<br />

chemical methylation <strong>of</strong> Pb is the dominant process and that biomethylation is <strong>of</strong> secondary<br />

importance.<br />

AX7.2.2.2 Spatial Distribution <strong>of</strong> <strong>Lead</strong> in Aquatic Ecosystems<br />

National Water <strong>Quality</strong> Assessment (NAWQA)<br />

The 1986 <strong>Lead</strong> AQCD (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1986b) did not describe<br />

the distribution and concentration <strong>of</strong> Pb throughout aquatic ecosystems <strong>of</strong> the United States.<br />

Consequently, an analysis <strong>of</strong> readily available data on Pb concentrations was conducted to<br />

determine the distribution <strong>of</strong> Pb in the aquatic environment. Data from the United States<br />

Geological Survey (<strong>US</strong>GS) National Water-<strong>Quality</strong> Assessment (NAWQA) program were<br />

queried and retrieved. NAWQA contains data on Pb concentrations in surface water, bed<br />

sediment, and animal tissue <strong>for</strong> more than 50 river basins and aquifers throughout the country,<br />

AX7-122

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