Interactions of Pb(II)/Pb(IV) solid phases with chlorine and their effects on lead release.

This study examined changes of colloidal properties and lead release from representative solid phases of lead (IV) (PbO2) and lead (II) (hydrocerussite, cerussite) and during the oxidation of the lead (II) solids by chlorine. Chlorine is determined to cause the zeta-potential of lead (II) solids to undergo significant changes apparently associated with the generation of Pb(lll) intermediates that are formed before the PbO2 phase becomes abundant enough to be morphologically distinct. Simultaneouslywith the changes of the zeta-potential, a pronounced decrease of lead release from hydrocerussite takes place. In contrast with that, lead release from cerussite undergoes a transient increase during the oxidation of that solid by chlorine. The existence of differences in processes governing lead release from these Pb(ll) solids is supported by SEM data showing different patterns of morphological changes of the cerussite and hydrocerussite crystal surfaces.