Impact of smelter re-development on spatial and temporal airborne Pb concentrations

Total suspended particulate (TSP) and PM10 filters collected from two ambient air monitoring stations in Port Pirie were analysed to determine the impact of a lead (Pb) smelter redevelopment on air quality parameters including total elemental concentration, Pb isotopic ratio, Pb bioaccessibility and Pb speciation. Filters from 2009 to 2020 were analysed with a focus on samples from 2017 (immediately prior to smelter redevelopment) and 2020 (post-smelter redevelopment). Lead concentration in 2009–2020 TSP was variable ranging up to 6.94 μg m−3 (mean = 0.57 μg m−3), however, no significant decrease in Pb concentration was observed at either Port Pirie West (p = 0.56, n = 34) or Oliver Street (p = 0.32, n = 28) monitoring stations when 2017 and 2020 TSP values were compared. Similarly, no significant difference (p = 0.42) in PM10 Pb concentration was observed in 2017 (mean = 0.80 μg m−3) and 2020 (0.60 μg m−3) Oliver Street filters. Although no change in percentage Pb bioaccessibility was observed when 2017 and 2020 Port Pirie West TSP samples were compared (mean of 88.7% versus 88.0%), Pb bioaccessibility was lower (p