To investigate the potential of the metal isotopes on the environmental forensics, we first develop a series of isotopic techniques, including Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes, and further evaluate the method for purifying Fe, Cu, Zn and Cd for environmental materials. We used one international rock standard - BHVO2, and two types (i.e., oxidative ad reductive slags) of slag samples for testing the digestion method, column chemistry, and the isotopic techniques. Our results show that chemical yields for Sr, Nd and Pb are better than 80%, and the isotope techniques for Sr, Nd and Pb are successfully developed in this study. Recoveries of Fe、Cu、Zn and Cd are all better than 80%. By combining the Sr-Nd-Pb isotope systems, the studied slags from three steel smelting plants show distinct 87Sr/86Sr, εNd and Pb isotopic ratios, strongly indicating the utility of using the Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic signatures in slags as a powerful tracer for environmental forensics.

Metal stable isotopes, Environmental forensics, Wastes