Chemical and lead isotope constraints on sources of metal pollution in street sediment and lichens in southwest Ohio

► Urban pollution study in a neighborhood adjacent to a coal-fired power plant. ► Pb isotopic compositions determined in street sediment and lichen samples. ► Geochemistry is consistent with Pb contamination from yellow road paint containing PbCrO4. Lead isotopic compositions were determined in street sediment and lichen samples to constrain the sources of metal pollution near a coal-fired power plant in SW Ohio. Previous studies of the street sediment found elevated levels of Cr, Cu and Ni, and extremely high levels of Pb and Zn. Although initial investigations suggested the presence of coal-derived pollution, Pb isotopes were employed to investigate the importance of additional sources. Highly variable concentrations of Pb in sieved (