Mercury (Hg) Transport in a High Arctic River in Northeast Greenland

In a warming climate, mercury (Hg) pathways in the Arctic can be expected to be affected. The Hg transport from the high arctic Zackenberg River Basin was assessed in 2009 in order to describe and estimate the mercury transported from land to the marine environment. A total of 95 water samples were acquired and filtered (0.4 ??m pore size), and Hg concentrations were determined in both the filtered water and in the sediment. A range of other elements were also measured in the water samples. Hg concentrations in the filtered water were in general highest in the beginning of the season when the water came mainly from melted snow. THg concentrations in the sediment were in general relatively constant or slightly decreasing until mid-August, where after the concentrations increased. A principal component analysis separated the samples into spring, summer and autumn samples indicating seasonal characteristics of the patterns of element concentrations. The total amount of Hg in the sediment transported was estimated to 2.6 kg. Approximately 60% of the sediment-transported Hg occurred during a 24-h flood in the beginning of August caused by a glacial lake outburst flood. The total amount of transported dissolved Hg was estimated to 46 g, and 13% of this transport occurred during the 24-h flood. If it is assumed that the Hg transport by Zackenberg River is representative for the general glacial rivers in East Greenland, the total Hg transport into the North Atlantic from Greenland alone is approximately 4.6 tons year^?1 with an estimated annual freshwater discharge of ??440 km³.     

Impact of anthropogenic activity on the Hg concentrations in the Piracicaba river basin (São Paulo State, Brazil)

A sampling and analysis program has been completed between 1995 and 1998 in order to determine mercury concentrations in water, sediments, soils and fish in the Piracicaba river basin, one of the most populated and industrialized regions in Brazil. In sediment, the average Hg concentrations varied between 33 ± 17 ng g^?1 and 106 ± 78 ng g^?1, in samples collected during the rainy and dry season, respectively. The same averages were also found for soil samples (35 ± 14 and 109 ± 61 ng g^?1). In water, the total Hg concentration varied between < 1.1 and 24.0 ng L^?1. In piscivore fish, up to 943 μ g Hg kg^?1 was found. Our results show that all compartments undergo Hg contamination, in view of the levels found in pristine environments. Water contamination seems to be due mainly to diffuse processes of soil erosion and suspension of river bed sediment during the rainy season. Also untreated wastewaters generated by industrial activities and from domestic sewage appear to be potential non-point sources in the most industrialized and populated part of the basin. On the other hand, atmospheric transport of mercury originating from the Campinas Metropolitan Region could be another source of mercury contamination, especially in the basin headwaters.     

Chrom und Quecksilber in einem seit 80 Jahren mit städtischem Abwasser berieselten Boden

Chromium and mercury in a soil after 80 years of treatment with urban sewage water . A soil (tab. 1) which is since 80 years under irrigation with sewage water contains 112 ppm Cr and 1.5 ppm Hg (Fig. 1). The sewage water presently contains 0.07 ppm chromium and 0.002 ppm mercury. In order to study the migration and leaching of chromium in the soil experiments were carried out with ⁵¹Cr as CrO₄^2- under aerobic and ⁵¹Cr als Cr³⁺ under anaerobic conditions in undisturbed soil columns. In all cases chromium was adsorbed in the layer 0–5 cm (Fig. 2 and 3). Similar experiments with ²⁰³Hg as HgCl₂ (Fig. 4) showed that mercury ist adsorbed near the surface. These experiments confirmed our results of ground water analyses, neither chromium nor mercury contaminated the ground water.     

Mercury species in potable ground water in southern New Jersey

Water samples from 78 private potable wells in southern New Jersey were collected for mercury analysis in 1991–1992. Analyses were performed for the quantification of reactive, volatile and methyl mercury species. Relationships of mercury with other water quality parameters were evaluated also. Total mercury concentrations varied from <1 ng L^?1 to over 36 Μg L^?1. The dominant forms in which mercury occurred in the wells sampled were Hg? and HgCl₂?, although methyl mercury was present in some wells and comprised up to 8% of the total mercury in the ground water samples.     

Estimating Gaseous Mercury Emissions from Contaminated Floodplain Soils to the Atmosphere with Simple Field Measurement Techniques

The atmospheric emission of mercury (Hg) from a contaminatedwetlands system was studied in the floodplains along the riverElbe (Northern Germany). Results suggest that wetlands can beimportant transformation and phase transfer regions, linking theterrestrial, aquatic and atmospheric compartments of regionalbiogeochemical Hg cycles. Fluxes determined by flux chambermeasurements averaged 43 ± 5 ng m^-2 h^-1. Additionally,soil gas probe sampling was introduced to determine mercuryconcentrations in soil air. This technique shows some promise fordetecting and confining mercury contamination in soils. We alsopropose that measurements of total gaseous mercury (TGM) in soilair and the near-surface atmosphere, in combination with simplesoil physical parameters, may be suitable for calculatingsemiquantitative estimates of Hg evaporation from contaminatedsoils, based on laminar diffusion considerations. The results arecompared to other Hg flux measurements, and the advantages anddisadvantages of different approaches to quantify Hg emissionsfrom soils are discussed, especially with regard to possiblesystematic bias.     

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.     

An update of the mercury inventory and atmospheric mercury fluxes to and from Finland

Finland, the northern-most agricultural/industrial country in the world, has been for some time steadily improving environmental mercury (Hg) research. This paper focuses upon Hg recovery during zinc production, uses of Hg, updating of information on Hg emissions and atmospheric transport of Hg to and from Finland. The recovery of Hg as a by-product of zinc production began in 1970. The highest amount of recovered Hg was noted to be 160 t in 1989. Total uses of Hg in different sectors were about 7.4 t in 1992, which had decreased by 50% since the year 1987. In 1992, the estimated Hg emission to air was 2 t yr^?1, whereas to water and land the emission was about 0.20 and 3.67 t yr^?1, respectively. Natural Hg emission in Finland was estimated to be about 0.4 t yr^?1 (range: 0.3 to 0.5 t yr^?1). In addition, an initial attempt was made to estimate the atmospheric Hg flux to and from Finland; these values were noted to be 2.7 and 2.1 t yr^?1, respectively.     

Mercury Cycling in Lake Gordon and Lake Pedder,Tasmania (Australia). I: In-lake Processes

The processes affecting the concentrations of total mercury (total Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in a freshwater system comprising two connected reservoirs in southwest Tasmania were investigated. Surface concentrations of total mercury (total Hg)were temporally and spatially uniform in both Lake Gordon (2.3±0.4 ng L^-1, n = 27) and Lake Pedder (2.3±0.3 ng L^-1, n = 11). The surface concentrations of MeHg in Lake Gordon (0.35±0.39 ng L^-1, n = 25) were more variable than total Hg and MeHg typically comprised 10–20% of total Hg. The relatively high amount of total mercury present as MeHg in Lake Gordon was attributed to the high proportion of wetlandsin the upper catchment (50% of total area) and in-lake contributions (ca. 40% of total MeHg). Despite the close proximity of the two lakes, MeHg concentrations in Lake Pedder were consistently lower than in Lake Gordon. This phenomenon canbe explained in part by the greater contribution of direct rainfall to Lake Pedder leading to the dilution of MeHg. Water column MeHg concentrations were higher in warmer months in bothlakes, reflecting increased net methylation of inorganic mercury.Unlike previous studies of seasonally anoxic lakes, depth profiles of total mercury and MeHg in Lake Gordon were uniform and were not affected by water column stratification occurringin the summer months, and oxygen depletion with depth. This suggests that redox cycling and accumulation of MeHg in the hypolimnion following seasonally-induced anoxia is not a significant part of the mercury cycle in Lake Gordon. The primary location of MeHg production within the lake's water column is not conspicuous. Mercury speciation measurements made above and below the lake system over a period of 19 months indicates that after 20 yr of impoundment, the reservoirs are not significantly affecting MeHg concentrations in the downstreamriverine environment.     

Mercury accumulation trends in Florida Everglades and Savannas Marsh flooded soils

Global and regional increases in atmospheric mercury (Hg) concentrations have previously been identified as the cause of increased mercury accumulation rates in north temperate lakes in Sweden, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Atmospheric deposition can often account for elevated Hg concentrations in fish from these systems. Mercury levels in sportfish collected from some areas of the Florida Everglades and Savannas Marsh exceed limits that are acceptable for human consumption. Forty five soil cores and soil grab samples were retrieved from the Everglades and Savannas Marsh wetlands. Eighteen sediment cores were dated radiochemically with²¹⁰Pb and¹³⁷Cs using γ-ray spectroscopy to determine modern and historic mercury accumulation rates for these subtropical wetland systems. Recent (“post-1985”) Hg accumulation rates averaged 53 μg m^?2 y^?1 (23 to 141, n=18) corresponding to an average rate increase of 4.9 times (1.6 to 19.1) over those observed around the turn of the century. This accumulation seems to result more from either global or regional atmospheric deposition rather than from lateral transport via overlying surface water. The trends for mercury accumulation match those reported for lakes in Sweden and the northern United States, even though these systems are distinctly different in their climate, vegetational composition, and location. We provide the first data on accumulation of mercury in subtropical wetland systems, and demonstrate the feasibility of radiochemical dating of wetland sediment.     

EFFECTS OF HUMIC ACID ON TRANSPORT AND TRANSFORMATION OF MERCURY IN SOIL-PLANT SYSTEMS

The influence of humic acid (HA) on the transport and transformation of mercury (Hg) in soil was studied. No available Hg could be detected (<2.5 μg kg^-1) in alluvial soil when the content of HA-carbon (HA-C) was higher than 0.2 g kg^-1 although a large amount of Hg (8 μg kg^-1) was applied to the soil. The available Hg decreased with the increase of HA in purple soil (r=0.735). There are significant correlations between HA concentration and organic Hg in the tested soils (r=0.974 for the purple soil and r=0.979 for the alluvial soil). The increase of HA results in decrease of Hg absorbed by plant from the soil. A loss of Hg from soil caused by microbes was observed.     

Translocation of 203Hg labelled HgCl2 and CH3HgCl in an iron-humus podzol studied by radio-analytical techniques

Since increased Hg-concentrations in fish in lakes and rivers in northern Europe, northern parts of the U.S.A. and Canada were found, environmental Hg research has focused intensively on the factors determining leaching of mercury from soil into water systems. This article presents the results of a leaching experiment with undisturbed soil columns treated with HgCI₂ and CH₃HgCl using radio-analytical techniques. The columns were irrigated with rain of different acidity, rain volumes and irrigation intensities. The leaching of mercury was traced by detecting the vertical distribution of ²⁰³Hg in the soil profiles. Advantages and disadvantages of radioanalytical scanning techniques are discussed. The results of Hg leaching in the soil columns indicate a considerably stronger leaching of monomethyl mercury compared to inorganic mercury. Leaching of the two Hg-species is ruled by competition of H⁺ induced soil-Hg desorption with DOM-Hg complex formation; both being affected by rain acidity. Rain intensity had no visible effect on leaching of Hg²⁺ and CH₃Hg⁺. An extended rain duration increased the leaching of CH₃Hg⁺.     

Quantitative Evaluation of Atmospheric Deposition Flux of Mercury in Sediments within the City of Juarez,Mexico

The city of Juarez is located in the northernpart of Mexico at the border with the United States. This reportinvestigates the mercury (Hg) contribution from atmosphericsources and its accumulation in the Juarez area estimated bymeasuring the concentration of total Hg in sediments of a smallartificial pond located within the urban area of the Juarez-ElPaso metroplex. The pond is intermittently fed by Hg-free(concentration below detection levels) groundwater from a privatewell, with sporadic input of storm overflow from a nearby watertreatment facility. Total Hg concentrations in the sedimentsvaried between 20 (detection level value) and 454 μg kg^-1 dry wt, with an average value of 202.8±153.9 μg kg^-1. Physicalcharacteristics of the sediments varied among samples, althoughnot as drastically as their Hg content did. Among the sedimentparameters, the organic matter content correlated best with theHg content. A simplified balance of total mercury supply in theaquatic system revealed a sediment Hg flux of 336.0 μg m^-2 yr^-1 and a maximum Hg atmospheric flux of 119 mg m^-2 yr^-1.Our unexpected finding of significant concentrations of Hg in thetreated wastewater and in the water column stresses the need ofcareful consideration of all possible sources in determiningmercury atmospheric deposition flux.     

Mercury Cycling in Lake Gordon and Lake Pedder,Tasmania (Australia). II: Catchment Processes

The sources and concentrations of total mercury (total Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in the upper catchment of the Lake Gordon/Lake Pedder system in Tasmania, Australia were investigated. The catchment area, which contains over 50% wetlands, is located in a temperate region with no obvious point sources of mercury. Surface waters in the region had concentrations of total Hg ranging from 1.2 to 14.4 ng L^-1 and MeHg from < 0.04 to 1.4 ng L^-1. MeHg concentrations were seasonally dependent, with the highest concentrations occurring in summer. Sediments/soils in the catchment had concentrations of total Hg ranging from 4.0 to 194 ng g^-1 and MeHg from <0.02 to 20.1 ng g^-1. The low concentrations of total Hg confirmed that this region is pristine as regards mercury and has no geological enrichment of total Hg. The highest total Hg and MeHg concentrations in both sediment/soils and waters were found in bogs whereas the lowest concentrations typically occurred on the wetlandplains. MeHg concentrations, in bog and swamp sediments were correlatedwith the organic matter content (r = 0.942, P < 0.001). Acid volatile sulfide (AVS) measurements indicate that in most sediments AVS was greater than total Hg. Given the high reactivity of inorganic mercury and sulfide, this suggests that most of the particulate mercury in sediments is present as mercuric sulfide. The yield of MeHg from the catchment was estimated to be 3.2 mg ha^-1 yr^-1 and is higher than published rates measured in non-contaminated temperate catchments in the northern hemisphere. The higher yield was attributed to the generally warmer climatic conditions that favour net methylation and the relatively high rainfall (2–3 m yr^-1) of the region, which supplies reactive inorganic mercury to the active zones ofmercury methylation and also flushes MeHg from the catchment.     

Assessment of Mercury in Water, Sediments and Biota of a Southern European Estuary (Sado Estuary, Portugal)

The aim if this study was to assess the distribution of mercury in water, suspended particulate matter, surface sediments and biota from the Sado estuary, which, for the most part, is classified as a natural reserve, so as to evaluate its environmental quality status in terms of mercury contamination. Besides the diffuse sources of mercury coming into the Sado estuary, there are also additional contributions from the northern industrial zone and from the urban areas within the system. Applying national and international guidelines to different environmental matrices, the results obtained show that the system does not seem to be under environmental risk as far as mercury contamination is concerned. These quality guidelines can be used to rank and prioritise sites of concern. Hence, the area at the northern industrialised area deserves particular attention. The concentration of mercury in sediments of this area (0.54?mg kg^?1) simultaneously succeeded the European Union Water Framework Directive (EU-WFD) reference value, the OSPAR Convention Ecotoxicological Assessment Criteria (EACs) and is classified as class 2 in degree of contamination by the National legislation, which implies some legal restrictive rules. Considering the stations close to urbanised areas, one exceeded the OSPAR EACs for dissolved mercury, whilst the other exceeded the EU-WFD reference value for mercury concentrations in sediments. No statistical significant relations were found between mercury concentrations in biota (Ulva sp, Hediste diversicolor, Scrobicularia plana, Cerstoderma edule and Carcinus maenas) and in the abiotic matrices (sediment and water column, including mercury in its dissolved form and associated to suspended particulate matter). This paper provides an overview of the guidelines for Hg proposed for a considerable number of coastal systems of the northern hemisphere and highlights the complex interactions of Hg in the different environmental compartments in low contaminated systems.     

Determination of mercury methylation rates using A 203-HG radiotracer technique

A radiotracer method for the determination of mercury (Hg) methylation rates in bulk water and water overlying intact sediment cores has been developed. A sediment core with overlying water is collected in a core tube, the overlying water is spiked with high specific activity 203-Hg radiotracer, and the core is incubated at ambient temperature. Aliquots of the overlying water are removed, the Hg is extracted from the sample, and the activity in the extract is measured. A 10–25 fold sample preconcentration is achieved using a dithizone-chloroform extraction technique and a sodium nitrite back extraction step to separate inorganic Hg(II) from monomethylmercury (MMHg). The use of this technique, in conjunction with high specific activity 203-Hg, has allowed for spiking concentrations in the overlying water of approximately 1 ng Hg/L. This spiking level is about the same concentration as the ambient water overlying the core, thus not significantly perturbing the system. Our technique is a significant improvement over previous methodologies which used 203-Hg spike additions of 1 μg Hg/L or higher. The technique was used to measure Hg methylation rates at the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) in Ontario, Canada during August of 1993 and at an extensively studied estuarine site in Gulf Breeze, Florida, USA during September, 1993 and June, 1994. Multiple cores were collected and spiked with a range of 1 to 11,800 ng Hg (as 203-Hg) into the overlying water. MMHg production at the ELA site indicated rates of 0.25 to 3.7 pg/cm²/day (0.08 to 2.5 % methylation/day). Results from Gulf Breeze were significantly higher at 1.5 to 425 pg/cm²/day or 0.06 to 18 % methylation/day. These rates are one to three orders of magnitude greater than previously measured “specific rates” in bulk water samples and sediments. A direct comparison of rates with previous sediment methylation assay techniques is not possible, however, because of the significant differences between our methodology and previous assay protocols.     

Method development and sample processing of water,soil, and tissue for the analysis of total and organic mercury by cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry

Atomic Fluorescence-based methods have been developed for measuring ultratrace levels of mercury (Hg) in environmental (water, soil) and biological (fish tissue) samples. In addition, methods for preparation of water, soil, and tissue samples have been developed. For the analysis of total Hg in soil, sediment and fish the samples are digested with concentrated nitric acid in sealed glass ampules, and subsequently autoclaved. Water samples are digested using standard brominating procedures. A Merlin Plus, PS Analytical atomic fluorescence spectrometer (AFS) system equipped with an autosampler, vapor generator, fluorescence detector and a PC based integrator package is used in the determination of total Hg. The determination of Hg mercury species in water, without pre-derivatization, involves adsorbent pre-concentration of the organomercurials onto sulfydryl-cotton fibers. The organic Hg compounds are eluted with a small volume of acidic KBr and CuSO₄ and extracted into dichloromethane. Sediment, soil and tissue samples are homogenized and the organomercurials first released from the sample by the combined action of acidic KBr and CuSO₄ and extracted into dichloromethane. The initial extracts are subjected to thiosulfate clean-up and the organomercury species are isolated as their chloride derivatives by cupric chloride addition and subsequent extraction into a small volume of dichloromethane. Analysis of organic Hg compounds is accomplished by capillary column chromatography coupled with atomic fluorescence detection.     

Particulate mercury in the atmosphere: Its significance,transport, transformation and sources

The importance of participate mercury (Hg(p)) in the transport, chemistry and deposition of this toxic metal has long been underestimated and largely ignored. While it was once believed to constitute a small percentage of total atmospheric mercury, Hg(p) may contribute a significant portion of the deposition of this metal to adjacent natural waters. Recent measurements of Hg(p) in several urban/industrial areas have documented that Hg can be associated with large particles (>2.5 μm) and in concentrations similar to those of the vapor phase Hg (ng/m³). As part of ongoing effort to diagnose the sources, transport and deposition of Hg to the Great Lakes and other Great Waters, the University of Michigan Air Quality Laboratory (UMAQL) has investigated the physical and chemical properties of particulate-phase Hg in both urban and rural locations. It appears that particulate Hg may be the one of the most difficult of the Hg measurements to perform, and perhaps the one of the most important for deposition and source apportionment studies. Particulate Hg concentrations measured in rural areas of the Great Lakes Region and Vermont ranged from 1 to 86 pg/m³ whereas Hg(p) levels in urban/industrialized areas were in the range 15 pg/m³ to 1.2 ng/m³.     

Half a Century of Mercury Contamination in Lake Vänern (Sweden)

Lake Vänern is Sweden's largest freshwater reservoir. It has been significantly affected by mercury contamination during the latter half of the 20th century. The aim of this study was to analyse the spatial and vertical mercury distribution, whereas 46 sediment cores were sampled in 2001 and analysed for total mercury. Several of these cores were dated presenting sediment accumulation rates varying from 6–8 mm yr^?1 outside major rivers to ～2 mm yr^?1 in the deeper areas. This was made using ¹³⁷ Cs, which was verified by ²¹⁰ Pb dating. Cluster analysis was used to identify five areas with similar accumulation and mercury concentration regimes. In areas far from shore, surface concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 0.5 ppm Hg, while the deeper layers in contaminated areas held concentrations up to 11 ppm Hg. In total, ～50 tonnes of mercury accumulated in the lake's sediment between ～1940–2001; almost 80% (or 37 tonnes) originate from before the mid 70's when the recovery period began, and at least 30 tonnes can be attributed to the former point source – a chlor-alkali industry.     

Soil and Foliar Mercury Emission as a Function of Soil Concentration

The goal of this study was to investigate net mercury flux associated with seedlings of two species (Populus tremuloides and Pinus ponderosa) grown in three soil exposure concentrations (0.010 ± 0.001, 6.15 ± 0.86, and 25.56 ± 2.10 µg Hg g^-1) and to determine if mercury flux from vegetation was directly correlated with mercury concentration in the soil. Net mercury flux was measured using a gas exchange system. Mercury emission from foliage was not influenced by mercury concentration in the soil. Experiments were also done to assess the significance of mercury emission from vegetation relative to that occurring from associated soils. Mean soil mercury emissions were 1 to 3 orders of magnitude higher than that from plants grown in similar soil mercury concentrations. Light and the addition of water were found to significantly increase mercury emission from soils, and the magnitude of the flux response to watering was correlated with soil mercury concentration.