Characterization of soil contamination by lead around a former battery factory by applying an analytical hybrid method R. Urrutia-Goyes & A. Argyraki & N. Ornelas-Soto Received: 14 February 2018 /Accepted: 18 June 2018 # Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018 Abstract Former battery factories have created environ- mental and health problems for years and the exposure to lead in surface soils has been underestimated. Nonetheless, the identification of lead contamination and its spatial distribution is crucial. The determination of heavy metals in soils can be performed using induc- tively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). However, alternative techniques such as X-ray fluores- cence (XRF) have been used lately in environmental studies since measurements can be taken in the field in a prompt manner, despite its lower accuracy. In this study, a former battery factory site in Monterrey, Mexico, has been studied in order to detect lead contam- ination. Soil samples were assessed for contamination by using an analytical hybrid method that comprises both analytical techniques, namely, ICP-MS and XRF. Samples were taken in 215 locations and, after a simple homogenization process, they were analyzed by using a portable XRF device. Within those 215 sampling points, 25 samples were analyzed concurrently by using ICP- MS according to international sampling guidelines. Results obtained were adjusted in order to define an analytical hybrid method, which encompasses the ad- vantages of each technique. An improved characteriza- tion was achieved by using the proposed analytical hy- brid method since maps of lead distribution and calcu- lated areas of concern showed better predictability. The combination of spectroscopic techniques is of great ap- plicability for environmental agencies and decision makers. Keywords Soil contamination . Lead characterization . XRF . ICP-MS . Battery factory Introduction Contamination due to Pb occurrence is a topic of global interest since the element is part of the BTen Chemicals of Major Public Concern^ according to the World Health Organization; and it is also considered one of the major soil contaminants along with mineral oil, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hy- drocarbons (Safruk et al. 2017; Science Communication Unit 2013; WHO 2010). Pb is known to cause health and environmental problems. In the environment, Pb can be present in air, water, and particularly soil, due to natural or anthropogenic reasons. Nonetheless, the highest levels of Pb found in soils are attributed to Environ Monit Assess (2018) 190:429 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-018-6820-2 R. Urrutia-Goyes Departamento de Ciencias de la Energía y Mecánica, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, Av. Gral. Rumiñahui s/n, P.O. Box 171-5-231B, 171103 Sangolqui, Ecuador e-mail: erurrutia@espe.edu.ec R. Urrutia-Goyes : N. Ornelas-Soto (*) Laboratorio de Nanotecnología Ambiental, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, 64849 Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico e-mail: ornel@itesm.mx A. Argyraki Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 157 84 Athens, Greece e-mail: argyraki@geol.uoa.gr