Transfer of lead from shotgun pellets to humus and three plant species in a finnish shooting range

A study of lead transfer from shotgun pellets to humus and plants in a shooting range in Helsinki, Southern Finland, revealed that pellet lead is mobilized into the humus layer. Concentrations of total lead (shotgun pellets excluded) in the shooting range varied between 4,700 mg/kg and 54,000 mg/kg, whereas concentration in the reference area was 240 mg/kg. Of the total lead, 90% was in EDTA-extractable form. Concentration of lead in the humus layer did not correlate with the content of lead in leaves ofBetula pendula, Tussilago farfara andEquisetum sylvaticum. The content of plant leaves was approximately one thousandth of that in humus. Species, however, differed significantly in their content of lead. Lead in leaves ofBetula pendula was the highest (14–70 mg/kg (DW), mean 44 mg/kg), that ofEquisetum sylvaticum the lowest (12–31 mg/kg (DW), mean 20 mg/kg), whereas that ofTussilago farfara (29–50 mg/kg (DW), mean 38 mg/kg) was intermediate. Lingonberries of the area had a lead content of 0.3 mg/kg, and were inedible according to the Finnish food safety regulations.