Lead  

Geological information

Abundances

In this table values are given in units of ppb (parts per billion; 1 billion = 10⁹), both in terms of weight and in terms of numbers of atoms. Values for abundances are difficult to determine with much certainty, so all values should be treated with some caution, especially so for the less common elements. Local concentrations of any element can vary from those given here by orders of magnitude.

View graphs	Abundance	ppb by weight	ppb by atoms
	Universe	10	0.06
	Sun	10	0.07
	Meteorite (carbonaceous)	1400	100
	Crustal rocks	10000	1000
	Sea water	0.03	0.00090
	Stream	3	0.01
	Human	1700	50

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Notes

Elemental lead is found in nature sparingly. Lead is present in ores such as galena (lead sulphide, PbS), anglesite (lead sulphate, PbSO₄), minim (a form of lead oxide with formula Pb₃O₄), cerussite (lead carbonate, PbCO₃) and other minerals. Galena is the most important source.