Periglacial transport distance of Pb derived from small-scale ore veins in the Rhenish Slate Mountains

Abstract The spatial extent of metal contamination caused by small-scale ore veins is increased by periglacial solifluction. Our objectives were (1) to examine the spatial distribution of Pb in cover beds that migrated over Pb ore veins, (2) to calculate the transport distance of ore-derived Pb, and (3) to determine controls on the transport distance. We examined six transects (320–775 m long) in the Rhenish Slate Mountains in West Germany. The transects included four west-exposed and two east-exposed slopes with inclinations between 2–20°. All transects were forest-covered and located at 280–450 m above sea level. Soils were Dystric Cambisols and Stagnic Luvisols. Samples of 120 B horizons…