Mercury pollution of fishes in Minamata Bay and surrounding water: Analysis of pathway of mercury

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - In 1973, the Environment Agency of Japan made an intensive survey of Hg pollution in Minamata Bay and its surrounding water. About 200 sediment samples and 1600...     

Mercury Distribution and Speciation in Soils Affected by Historic Mercury Mining

In this paper a novel methodology for estimating the parameters for an extended biokinetic model (Peev, Schönerklee, and De Wever, Water Science and Technology, 2004) of micropollutant removal in wastewater treatment is presented. In particular, the work concentrates on parameter estimation of the micropollutant degradation sub-model by specialised microorganisms in the case when only substrate measurement data are available. We have proven the structural identifiability of the model and have developed a new approach allowing practical identifiability on the basis of multiple substrate degradation curves with different initial concentrations. Experimental and related numerical methods for unambiguous parameter estimation have been developed. Finally, by means of simulated pseudo-experiments we have found convincing indications that the proposed algorithm is stable and yields appropriate parameter estimates even in unfavourable regimes.     

Speciation and Concentrations of Mercury in Certain Coastal Marine Sediments

Concentrations of total mercury (Hg), methyl Hg and Hg(II) were determined in coastal marine sediments collected from the Baltic, South China and the Bering Seas. Methyl Hg concentrations in sediments were between 0.01 and 2 ng g-¹ on a dry weight basis, accounting for only <1% of the total Hg concentrations. The percentage of Hg(II) (i.e. available Hg) in total Hg was between 5 and 13 suggesting that most of the Hg in sediments was bound as HgS and/or Hg-humic complexes. Relatively larger proportion of methyl Hg was found in less polluted freshwater sediments than in marine sediments. Methyl Hg concentrations in marine sediments were not found to be correlated with total Hg and/or Hg (II) concentrations.     

Evaluating Relative Contribution of Atmospheric Mercury Species to Mercury Dry Deposition in Japan

In this study, we evaluated the relative contribution of atmospheric particulate mercury (Hg(p)) and divalent reactive gaseous mercury (RGM) to mercury dry deposition in Japan. The dry deposition fluxes (on a water surface sampler) and atmospheric PM concentrations of Hg, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and V, which were measured concurrently from April 2004 to March 2006 at 10 sites across the nation, were used in this evaluation. We considered that Hg(p) and RGM, but not Hg⁰, are deposited on the water surface, and that our method of sampling Hg(p) without the use of KCl-coated annular denuders enables the exclusion of a significant amount of RGM artifact. The monthly average dry deposition velocities (= deposition flux/atmospheric PM concentration) of Cd and Pb were found to be similar to each other (Cd/Pb deposition velocities?=?1.06?±?0.58). It was assumed that the deposition velocity of Hg(p) is identical to the mean deposition velocity of Cd and Pb, because the particle size distribution of Hg(p) is likely similar to those of both elements. Using this deposition velocity, the monthly dry deposition flux of Hg(p) was calculated. The average contribution (±1σ) of Hg(p) to the annual deposition flux at ten sites was 26?±?15%. The mercury dry deposition flux increased generally from spring to early summer, which was attributed mostly to the deposition of RGM. This seasonal change correlated to that in photochemical oxidant (primarily O₃) concentration in air at most sites. These suggest that mercury dry deposition in Japan is predominantly deposition of RGM, which was formed via oxidation of Hg⁰ by O₃ in the atmosphere.     

Mercury distribution in tephra soil layers in Hokkaido,Japan, with reference to 34,000-year stratification

Abstract

Tephra from volcanic eruptions contains only small amounts of mercury (Hg) right after the eruption because the high temperature at eruption evaporates Hg in volcanic ash. Thus, accumulation of Hg in tephra soil layers during the dormant periods of the volcano may reflect Hg deposition while the layer was exposed to the atmosphere. To estimate sequential changes in Hg deposition, we measured the Hg content and accumulation in tephra layers from 6 sites in Hokkaido known to have many tephra layers derived from volcanic eruptions over a 34,000-year period. Mercury content and accumulation rate in the soil profiles varied widely depending on the tephra. In each tephra layer, the Hg content and accumulation rates increased principally at the upper soil horizons and decreased at the lower depths. The Hg deposition rates calculated from the amount of Hg accumulated in the tephra layers were similar within the same tephra. These characteristics of Hg distribution indicate that Hg deposition accumulated on the surface of each tephra layer during the period the tephra layer was exposed to the atmosphere. Although physicochemical processes such as leaching out, wind erosion, and volatilization might lead to over- and/or underestimation of the deposition rates, our estimated amounts of Hg were markedly higher in the tephra soils after 1,600?year?BP than before that time. The results of this study suggest that tephra layers in Hokkaido offer important implications for understanding of the historical changes in atmospheric Hg deposition.     

Mercury distribution in tephra soil layers in Hokkaido, Japan, with reference to 34,000-year stratification

Tephra from volcanic eruptions contains only small amounts of mercury (Hg) right after the eruption because the high temperature at eruption evaporates Hg in volcanic ash. Thus, accumulation of Hg in tephra soil layers during the dormant periods of the volcano may reflect Hg deposition while the layer was exposed to the atmosphere. To estimate sequential changes in Hg deposition, we measured the Hg content and accumulation in tephra layers from 6 sites in Hokkaido known to have many tephra layers derived from volcanic eruptions over a 34,000-year period. Mercury content and accumulation rate in the soil profiles varied widely depending on the tephra. In each tephra layer, the Hg content and accumulation rates increased principally at the upper soil horizons and decreased at the lower depths. The Hg deposition rates calculated from the amount of Hg accumulated in the tephra layers were similar within the same tephra. These characteristics of Hg distribution indicate that Hg deposition accumulated on the surface of each tephra layer during the period the tephra layer was exposed to the atmosphere. Although physicochemical processes such as leaching out, wind erosion, and volatilization might lead to over- and/or underestimation of the deposition rates, our estimated amounts of Hg were markedly higher in the tephra soils after 1,600 year BP than before that time. The results of this study suggest that tephra layers in Hokkaido offer important implications for understanding of the historical changes in atmospheric Hg deposition.     

Bioaccumulation of PCDD/Fs and Co-PCBs in Lower-Trophic-Level Organisms in Sendai Bay,Japan

In Sendai Bay, Japan, the total PCDD, PCDF, and Co-PCB (dioxins) concentrations in phytoplankton were equivalent to 150, 12, and 51 pg/g wet weight (ww), respectively. The average concentrations in seaweed were 3, 0.095, and 2.1 pg/g ww, respectively. The total concentrations in phytoplankton were much higher than those in seaweed, even though both groups are algae. The concentrations in zooplankton were 11, 1.1, and 110 pg/g ww, respectively. The total PCDD/F concentrations in zooplankton (primary consumers and lower-trophic-level invertebrates) were lower than in phytoplankton (primary producers), but the total Co-PCB concentration in zooplankton was higher than that in phytoplankton. The concentrations in mysids (secondary consumers and higher-trophic-level invertebrates) were 190, 18, and 290 pg/g ww, respectively. The average concentrations in shrimp (secondary consumers and higher-trophic-level invertebrates) were 120, 17, and 410 pg/g ww, respectively. The concentrations in higher-tropic-level invertebrates were higher than those in lower-trophic-level invertebrates. The average concentrations in sand lance were 4.5, 1.7, and 550 pg/g ww, respectively. The total PCDD concentration in sand lance was lower than that in zooplankton (prey of sand lance), but the total Co-PCB concentration in sand lance was higher than that in zooplankton. The bioaccumulation of PCDD congeners in sand lance differed from that of Co-PCB congeners. The bioaccumulation of PCDD/Fs from lower- to higher-trophic-level invertebrates through the food web differed from that from lower-trophic-level invertebrates to fish.     

Chemical Characteristics of Fog Water at Mt. Tateyama, Near the Coast of the Japan Sea in Central Japan

Measurements of the chemical composition of fog water at Murododaira (altitude, 2,450 m), on the western slope of Mt. Tateyama near the coast of the Japan Sea, were performed each autumn from 2004 through 2007. Strong acidic fogs (pH?<?4) containing high concentrations of nssSO ₄ ^2? were frequently observed in the autumn of 2005, when the air mass at Mt. Tateyama originated mainly from the polluted regions of Asia. The ratio of NO ₃ ^? /nssSO ₄ ^2? in fog water was relatively high in 2004 and 2007. High concentrations of nssCa²⁺ derived from dust particles were detected in 2006. Background Kosa particles might have been predominant in the free troposphere and could have neutralized acidic fogs in the autumn of 2006. High concentrations of sea-salt components were also observed in October 2005. The sea-salt particles might have been transported from the Pacific Ocean by a strong typhoon, and significant Mg²⁺ loss was observed. Peroxides higher than 100 μM, which are seriously harmful to vegetation were sometimes detected.     

Chemistry of the Urauchi River Water in Iriomote Island National Park, Okinawa, Japan

The chemical characteristics of the Urauchi River water in Iriomote Island National park, Okinawa, Japan have been studied. Concentrations of PO₄ ^3?, NO₂ ^?, and NH₄ ⁺ were barely detectable. We compared the concentration ratios of Mg²⁺/Na⁺, HCO₃ ^?/Na⁺, and Ca²⁺/Na⁺ in the Urauchi River to those of 60 large rivers in the world and indicated that the chemical composition of the river is most likely formed by the binary mixing of sea salt components and silicate rock weathering components. Although rock weathering in the catchments area is driven by both H₂CO₃ and H₂SO₄, the role of H₂CO₃ is dominant. The percentages of the concentration of each cation in the river water are almost the same as those of other rivers with drainage areas consisting of silicate rock and sandstone. Thus, the Urauchi River shows the typical chemical characteristics of a river in a silicate rock area that includes sandstone.     

A Study of Surface Water Quality in Macedonia,Greece: Speciation of Nitrogen and Phosphorus

A 2-yr (1997–1998) survey aiming at the establishment of national data bases concerning the quality of surface waters has been conducted in the major river systems of Macedonia, N. Greece. This paper presents the physicochemical parameters(pH, conductivity, total suspended solids, temperature and DO),the organic pollution parameters (BOD₅, COD) and the major N and P species (NO₃ ^-, NO₂ ^-,NH₄ ⁺,organic N, orthophosphates and total P) determined at 25 sampling sites located on main rivers, tributaries, streams andditches that drain the major rural, agricultural, urban and industrial areas of N. Greece. Use of multivariate statistics is also made to identify the principal factors which influencethe chemistry of the water in individual river systems.The eutrophication status of the examined systems was evaluatedby means of N/P ratios. Mean N/P ratios showed large variationsamong sampling sites ranging from potential N- to P-limitationconditions. N/P ratios at particular sampling sites showed also great temporal variability thus suggesting temporary states of N- or P- limitation. Most frequently, highest ratio values wereobserved during winter and early spring. Comparisons are made between data from this study region and literature on rivers elsewhere.     

Substance Flow Analysis of Mercury Affecting Water Quality in the European Union

Knowledge concerning the main flows of priority substances (PSs) and the production systems and consumption structures in the society causing these flows is a prerequisite for any attempt to predict and understand their environmental fate as well as to efficiently minimize future environmental burdens. In this paper, a simple SFA diagram on mercury, including the main European Union (EU-27) source categories, flows and environmental endpoints which in turn affect the mercury concentrations in the EU-27 waters are illustrated. From trend analysis and future projections, it becomes obvious that emissions of mercury as a trace contaminant in fuels and minerals (primary anthropogenic emission sources) are becoming increasingly important to the environmental concentrations compared to emissions from mercury used intentionally (secondary anthropogenic sources). Additional future control strategies should therefore be targeted industrial sources and safe treatment of mercury-containing wastes, wastewater effluents, as well as residues collected from various combustion processes. It was found that knowledge on flows and emission sources on a large geographical scale is limited due to a lack of information on emission factors from various industrial processes and waste systems, especially for the mercury being discharges to water and land.     

River Water Metal Speciation in a Mining Region – The Influence of Wetlands,Liming, Tributaries,and Groundwater

Changes in metal speciation occurring along the river Vormbäckenhave been investigated, and the potential for using such changes to reduce metal transport to areas further downstream has been evaluated.Vormbäcken is situated in a mining region in northern Sweden. Catchment area features likely to influence metal speciation include wetlands situated along the river, addition of treated (liming) effluent water from a mine area, and addition of other surface waters and groundwater. Surface water samples were collected from seven stations along the river on six occasions, representing different flow regimes. The total As, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn concentrations in the samples were partitioned into particulate (>0.4 μm and 0.2–0.4 μm, or only >0.2 μm) and dissolved (<0.2 μm, either associated with organiccarbon, or as free metal ions and inorganic complexes) fractions by means of filtration and an ion-exchange technique. The most important finding is that, with the exception of Ca, the fraction of particulate bound metals increased with increasing concentrations of particulate Fe. This Fe has its origin in surface waters and groundwater that join the river on its way through the catchment area. It is suggested that adsorption to, or co-precipitation with, such Fe-containing particles may have potential to be used as the initial step in a treatment method based on natural attenuation processes. Furthermore, the fraction of particulate bound metals decreased dramatically upon passing the lake Vormträsket, suggesting that some of these metals may be removed from the river system, at least temporally.     

Assessment of Water Quality in Association with Land use in the Tillamook Bay Watershed, Oregon, USA

The water quality in tributaries to Tillamook Bay, Oregon, frequently exceeds standards for fecal coliform bacteria (FCB) and temperature. FCB inputs to the bay have forced periodic closure of the oyster shellfish industry. In addition, impaired water quality may be contributing to reduced salmonid populations in the bay and its tributaries through reduction in the quality of the habitat. Because of these concerns, the Tillamook Bay National Estuary Project (TBNEP) conducted several characterization studies and a long-term water quality monitoring program for the tributary rivers. This paper summarizes data collected to date within these efforts, including storm-based data on FCB and total suspended solids (TSS), and bimonthly data on nutrient concentrations in selected rivers. Monitoring data from 1996 to 2002 are summarized. Results for FCB and TSS are reported by storm, which are classified according to season and precipitation patterns in order to minimize intra-annual variability. There are not indications of large changes in water quality throughout the period of record, but it is too early in the program for trends analysis. Storms that exhibited the highest FCB concentrations tended to be those that occurred during fall and/or those that were preceded by relatively dry conditions and included high rainfall intensity. Implementation of storm-based monitoring and classification of storms according to season effectively reduces the large variability inherent in the FCB monitoring data, thereby facilitating future trends analysis. Continued storm-based monitoring of FCB and TSS, and also continued collection of rainfall and river discharge data, will provide the database that will be needed to determine to what extent on-the-ground remediation actions and best management practices (BMPs) within the Tillamook Basin are having their desired effects.     

Impact of nutrient enrichment in a waterchestnut ecosystem at Takahama-iri Bay of Lake Kasumigaura,Japan

The waterchestnut ecosystem of Lake Kasumigaura is at the climax stage of eutrophication. Organic debris in the ecosystem showed highly dynamic fluctuations throughout the year. This was chiefly attributed to high viable fractions of organic matter in the hypereutrophic water. The stability of steady-state equilibrium of organic debris was found to be maintained even in such a dynamic ecosystem, likely due to the precedence of heterotrophic processes over autotrophic processes. Using a mathematical model approximated by in situ data, the turnover time of organic solutes was analyzed to be between four and six months through these active heterotrophic processes.     

Mercury Flux Measurements over Air and Water in Kejimkujik National Park,Nova Scotia

Mercury flux measurements were conducted at two lakes and three soil sites in Kejimkujik National Park, located in the eastern Canadian province of Nova Scotia. One of the lakes had high levels of both mercury and Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC). Two of the soil sites were located under the forestcanopy, while the other was in a small clearing surrounded by forest. Flux measurements were performed using the dynamic chamber method. Mercury concentrations in the air were measured with a TEKRAN mercury analyzer. Mercury fluxes over the two lakes were most strongly correlated with solar radiation, although the flux was also significantly correlated with water temperature, air temperature, and negatively correlated with relative humidity. The flux from the high DOC lake (Big Dam West) was especially high when the conditions were both sunny and windy (wind speed greater than 1.3 m s^-1) and the average flux measured was 5.4 ng m^-2 h^-1. The mercury flux from this lake was wellparameterized in terms of a simple expression involving solar radiation and a nonlinear dependence on wind speed. The flux measured from the low DOC lake (North Cranberry) tended to be lower than from the high DOC lake. The averageflux measured was 1.1 ng m^-2 h^-1, but was again strongly correlated with solar radiation. The flux was low during windy conditions in the absence of sunlight, suggesting that wind enhances mercury evasion from lakes only in the presence of solar radiation. Mercury fluxes measured over the soil sites tended to be smaller than those over water (a range of –1.4–4.3 ng m^-2 h^-1). At one of the forest sites, mercury flux was very strongly correlated with 0.5 cm soil temperature, and this dependence was well described by an Arrhenius-typeexpression with an activation energy of 14.6 kcal^-1 mole, quite close to the heat of vaporization of mercury (14.5 kcal^-1 mol^-1 at 20 °C). At the clearing, where there was direct exposure to the sun, the mercury flux was most strongly correlated with solar radiation.     

Impact of nutrient enrichment in a waterchestnut ecosystem at Takahama-Iri Bay of Lake Kasumigaura,Japan

The heaviest algal bloom that can be expected in an aquatic system was formed in a waterchestnut ecosystem in Lake Kasumigaura during the summer in 1978 when the water temperature was greater than 30°C, caused by the nutrient discharges from the River Koise and the River Sanno. The heavy bloom not only threatens the steady-state equilibrium of the eutrophic system of the Lake but also must accelerate the Lake transformation into a low moor by forming ooze on the lake bottom with the precipitation of a large amount of dead blue-green algae.     

Relative Contribution of Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals to the Estrogenic Potency of Marine Sediments of Osaka Bay,Japan

Water, Air, &; Soil Pollution - Karst systems harbor large groundwater resources for human consumption and represent an important habitat for rare and unprotected specialized animals, the...     

Impact of nutrient enrichment in a waterchestnut ecosystem at Takahama-iri Bay of Lake Kasumigaura,Japan

Waterchestnut was shown to be one of the most efficient agents to yield photosynthetic products among aquatic plants in littoral vegetation. Though the plant can be an agent to remove nutrient in agricultural and domestic wastes directly through its waterroots to some extent, waterchestnut plays a great role in removing nutrients through its roots from lake sediments to watercolumn of the lake. Waterchestnut can be choked to death when its leaves are covered completely by the heavy blue-green algal bloom typical in hypereutophic lakes.     

Nitro-PAHs and PAHs in Atmospheric Particulate Matters and Sea Sediments in Hiroshima Bay Area, Japan

Atmospheric and sea sediment concentrations were measured for eight nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs) and three unsubstituted PAHs in a suburban area and sea sediments in the Hiroshima Bay watershed area, Japan, from July to December, 2006 (atmospheric particulate matter) and in September and November, 2004 (sea sediments). Atmospheric concentration was higher in winter than summer for both nitro-PAHs and PAHs. Concentrations in sea sediments were less than 10%, and pattern was similar to those of atmospheric particles. Several combustion emission sources were also measured, and the 1-NP/Pyr ratio was compared to environmental values. The ratio of atmospheric and sea sediments were significantly lower than diesel particulate matters. Further, the vehicle emission loading and sea sedimentation loading was evaluated in this watershed area, and from the comparison, the existence of other important sources PAHs were suggested.     

水浴消解-原子荧光法同时测定土壤中的汞、砷、硒、锑

对一次消解样品、添加抗干扰试剂、同时测定土壤中汞、砷、硒、锑元素含量的原子荧光法进行了实验研究。实验结果表明:(1)加入3%浓度的酒石酸溶液可以改善汞、硒的测定结果,使汞、硒含量控制在标准值范围内;(2)铁盐的加入可以改善锑含量测定结果偏低的情况;(3)砷含量测定结果不受酒石酸和铁盐添加的影响;(4)水浴消解-原子荧光法测定准确,灵敏度高,适合土壤中多种重金属元素快速定量分析。