三垟湿地沉积物-间隙水-上覆水界面磷形态研究

沉积物与上覆水间营养物质交换,成为导致水体发生富营养化的首要化学变迁过程.分别在三垟湿地的柑橘林(S1)、景观用地(S2)和生活用地(S3)取样,研究了沉积物-间隙水-上覆水界面磷形态以及相互关系.结果表明:(1)沉积物TP增加时,间隙水PO3-4和可溶性总磷(TDP)也增加.要削减磷在上覆水中的含量,控制间隙水PO3-4或TDP是一良策.(2)随着沉积物铁磷、铝磷的增加,间隙水PO3-4也增加.在三垟湿地沉积物中,铁磷和铝磷含量都可作为间隙水PO34-含量的指示.(3)S1、S2和S3的沉积物活性磷、间隙水TDP和上覆水TDP存在明显的浓度梯度,沉积物活性磷＞间隙水TDP＞上覆水TDP.说明在三垟湿地中,沉积物活性磷是磷释放的关键因子,而沉积物-间隙水界面则是磷释放的关键界面.     

Distribution and diagenesis of organic and inorganic phosphorus in sediments of the Baltic proper.

Measurements of the distribution of organic and inorganic phosphorus in the sediment have been performed at 10 sites, in the central-northern Baltic proper. Variations in deposition environment and environmental properties, such as redox chemistry and bottom water dynamics, apparently affect the distribution by altering the supply and diagenesis of organic and inorganic phosphorus constituents. The C/P and the N/P ratios of the sediment are highly divergent (higher) from the average Redfield ratio for marine living organisms at all examined sites. This indicates preferential autolytic organic phosphorus degradation and/or (deeper down in the sediment) altered input of terrestrial organic matter. The redox condition seems to affect the degradation efficiency of the organic matter since higher concentrations of C(org) occur at anoxic conditions than at oxic. At two sites significant amounts of C(inorg) have been detected indicating authigenic precipitation of carbonates. Further, authigenic precipitation of phosphate minerals also seems to occur at certain environmental conditions.     

巢湖入湖河流沉积物中有机磷的形态分级研究

为识别巢湖流域污染物的特征、来源及其沉积物有机磷各形态分布与富营养化的关系，测定了7条巢湖入湖河流沉积物中有机磷各形态的含量，分析不同污染类型人湖河流沉积物中有机磷各形态分布的差异及与其他因素间的相关性。研究发现，不同污染类型人湖河流沉积物中水土保持控制型河流沉积物中有机磷各组分的相对含量顺序为残渣态Po〉富里酸-Po〉HCl-Po〉胡敏酸-Po〉NaHCO3-Po，平均的相对比例为7．5：3．1：1．9：1．5：1．0，而城市污染控制型和面源污染控制型河流沉积物中有机磷各组分的相对含量顺序恰好相同，面源污染控制型河流沉积物Po各形态含量低于城市污染控制型和水土保持控制型河流。中活性P。和OM、TP、Pi、Po、TN、NaHCO3-Pi、NaOH—Pi呈正相关，非活性Po与Po、NaOH-Pi呈显著正相关关系，反映了中活性Po很容易转化为生物可利用磷和非活性Po，且非活性Po仍然具有潜在的生物活性。     

红枫湖底泥磷负荷释放

为了研究高原湖泊底泥沉积物中磷的释放负荷,对贵州红枫湖区10个地区的沉积物进行了磷形态分析。选取10个采样点中5个典型区域,研究结果表明,底泥中各形态磷占总磷比例Org-P为58.6%,NaOH-P为29.91%,Ca-P为11.48%,底泥中主要的磷形态为有机磷。上覆水溶解性总磷酸盐(TSP)与底泥中各形态磷的相关性研究表明,底泥中的Ca-P与上覆水中的TSP几乎没有相关性,NaOH-P与Org-P与上覆水的TSP有较高的相关性(R2>0.94),而底泥中的总磷(TP)与上覆水中的TSP相关性最高(R2>0.98),底泥中这种形态的结构有利于抑制底泥的释放。研究表明,在10点位样品中,间隙水中TP和SRP(溶解性正磷酸)浓度远大于上覆水体中相应磷形态的浓度,间隙水中TP平均浓度为0.37 mg/L,SRP平均浓度为0.18 mg/L,上覆水体中TP平均浓度为0.10 mg/L,SRP平均浓度为0.02 mg/L,间隙水中TP、SRP与上覆水中TP、SRP存在了一种浓度梯度。     

Total mercury concentrations in an industrialized catchment,the Thur River basin (north-eastern France): geochemical background level and contamination factors

River bottom sediments and soils were collected from the industrialized Thur River basin (north-eastern France) to assess mercury contamination. The regional geochemical background level of total mercury was evaluated to calculate mercury contamination factors (Fc) in soils and river bottom sediments. Our estimate of the mean background mercury levels in river sediments and soils, not affected by human activities, was 232 ng x g(-1) (range: 27-406 ng x g(-1)). Sediments contaminated by the effluent from a chlor-alkali plant yielded the highest contamination factors (Fc=1784). Contamination factors of surficial soils within 1 km of the industrial site range from 6.3 to 43.6. This contamination is attributed to diffuse atmospheric deposition from this local plant. However, even upstream from this industrial area elevated contamination factors were recorded for river bottom sediments (Fc=3.2 to 26.4) and for one alluvial soil profile (Fc=10). This is possibly due to past pollution resulting from waste water discharges. Mercury contamination in the different horizons of alluvial soils is not correlated with soil organic carbon content, but may be the result of occasional accidental pollution arising from the introduction of contaminated suspended particulate matter by the Thur River during periods of flooding.     

Dynamics of suspended sediment exchange and transport in a degraded mangrove creek in Kenya

This study focuses on sediment exchange dynamics in Mwache Creek, a shallow tidal mangrove wetland in Kenya. The surface area of the creek is 17 km2 at high water spring. The creek experiences semidiurnal tides with tidal ranges of 3.2 m and 1.4 m during spring and neap tides, respectively. The creek is ebb dominant in the frontwater zone main channel and is flood dominant in the backwater zone main channel. During rainy season, the creek receives freshwater and terrigenous sediments from the seasonal Mwache River. Heavy supply of terrigenous sediments during the El Ni?o of 1997-1998 led to the huge deposition of sediments (10(60 tonnes) in the wetland that caused massive destruction of the mangrove forest in the upper region. In this study, sea level, tidal discharges, tidal current velocities, salinity, total suspended sediment concentrations (TSSC) and particulate organic sediment concentrations (POSC) measured in stations established within the main channel and also within the mangrove forests, were used to determine the dynamics of sediment exchange between the frontwater and backwater zones of the main channel including also the exchange with mangrove forests. The results showed that during wet seasons, the high suspended sediment concentration associated with river discharge and tidal resuspension of fine channel-bed sediment accounts for the inflow of highly turbid water into the degraded mangrove forest. Despite the degradation of the mangrove forest, sediment outflow from the mangrove forest was considerably less than the inflow. This caused a net trapping of sediment in the wetland. The net import of the sediment dominated in spring tide during both wet and dry season and during neap tide in the wet season. However, as compared to heavily vegetated mangrove wetlands, the generally degraded Mwache Creek mangrove wetland sediment trapping efficiency is low as the average is about 30% for the highly degraded backwater zone mangrove forest and 65% in the moderately degraded frontwater zone mangrove forest.     

巢湖入湖河流沉积物中有机磷的形态分级研究简

为识别巢湖流域污染物的特征、来源及其沉积物有机磷各形态分布与富营养化的关系，测定了7条巢湖入湖河流沉积物中有机磷各形态的含量，分析不同污染类型入湖河流沉积物中有机磷各形态分布的差异及与其他因素间的相关性。研究发现，不同污染类型入湖河流沉积物中水土保持控制型河流沉积物中有机磷各组分的相对含量顺序为残渣态P_o >富里酸-P_o >HCl-P_o >胡敏酸-P_o >NaHCO₃-P_o，平均的相对比例为7.5：3.1：1.9：1.5：1.0，而城市污染控制型和面源污染控制型河流沉积物中有机磷各组分的相对含量顺序恰好相同，面源污染控制型河流沉积物P_o各形态含量低于城市污染控制型和水土保持控制型河流。中活性P_o和OM、TP、P_i、P_o、TN、NaHCO₃-P_i、NaOH-P_i呈正相关，非活性P_o与P_o、NaOH-P_i呈显著正相关关系，反映了中活性P_o很容易转化为生物可利用磷和非活性P_o，且非活性P_o仍然具有潜在的生物活性。     

Sediment characteristics,phosphorus types and phosphorus release rates between river and lake sediments

The Han river is 469.7 km long with 26219-km2 area watershed, and is the primary drinking water source for the 20 million people that live in Seoul, Kangwon-Do and Kyunggi-Do, Korea. Phosphorus release from sediments impacts water quality, and is endangering the beneficial use of the river. This research measures phosphorus release and predicts future releases from bottom sediments of two tributary areas (Chungpyung Lake (CPL) and Jamsil submerged dam (JSD) area in the Han river). Sediment samples were taken over a 4-year period from four points in the Jamsil dam area and from 92 points in CPL. The sediments were analyzed for total phosphorus, the form of the phosphorus and release rates under different conditions to the water column. Sediment phosphorus distribution from CPL was 3-5% adsorbed-P (Ads-P), 15-20% non-apatite-P (NAI-P), 25-30% apatite-P (A-P) and 45-57% residual-P (R-P). In the JSD area, the phosphorus distribution ranges were 1-3% Ads-P, 22-39% NAI-P, 26-40% A-P and 30-39% R-P. Laboratory experiments showed that phosphorus release rates from 60 to 80 mg/m2 week in JSD area and ranged from 25 to 40 mg/m2 week in CPL sediments.     

赤泥投加控制河道底泥磷释放的影响因素

通过对不同赤泥投加比例下河道底泥磷释放作用的研究,发现底泥中铁铝磷与钙磷的比值(Fe/Al-P∶Ca-P)、铁磷比(Fe∶TP)及有机质含量(OM)是赤泥能否应用于河道底泥磷释放控制中的决定性因素。实验结果表明,只有当河道底泥中Fe/Al-P∶Ca-P小于0.88,Fe∶TP小于16.1,且有机质含量低于1.87%时,投加适量赤泥才能起到抑制河道底泥内源磷释放的作用;反之,赤泥的投加则有可能促进底泥内源磷的释放。在实际工程应用中,推荐赤泥与底泥的接触时间不低于7d,从而使赤泥的效能发挥到最佳状态。     

Application of principal component analysis for the estimation of source of heavy metal contamination in surface sediments from the Rybnik Reservoir

The concentrations of metals, loss of ignition and nutrient (N, P) were determined in the bottom sediments of the Rybnik Reservoir (southern Poland). The mean concentrations of the metals in the bottom sediments were: Cd 25.8 microgram/g, Cu 451.7 microgram/g, Zn 1583.4 microgram/g, Ni 71.1 microgram/g, Pb 118.6 microgram/g, Cr 129.8 microgram/g, Fe 38782 microgram/g and Mn 2018.7 microgram/g. The bottom sediments are very heavily loaded with zinc, manganese, copper, nickel, phosphorus and lead (percentage enrichment factor), and cadmium, phosphorus and zinc (index of geoaccumulation). The increase of cadmium, lead, nickel and zinc concentrations was connected with the inflow of the contaminated water of the river Ruda and long-range transport. The contamination of the reservoir with copper and manganese resulted mainly from atmospheric precipitation. The variability of the bottom sediment loading with metals during the investigations was affected in the first place by changes in the concentration of iron, but also those elements whose concentrations in the bottom sediment were elevated compared to the concentrations in shale--cadmium, nickel and lead.     

Seasonal variation of the distribution of PCBs in sediments and biota in a PCB-contaminated estuary

To elucidate the effects of seasonal variation of precipitation on the distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in estuarine sediments and benthic feeders, PCB concentrations of river surface sediments and mullet fish (Liza macrolepis) were investigated in the estuary of Er-Jen River near former PCB contamination sites before and after each wet season from 2002 to 2004. Analyses of grain size distribution and organic matter revealed that the pre-existing surface sediments were covered by and mixed with the soil particulates brought by surface runoff after each wet season. Obvious increment of PCB content and significantly elevated fraction (p < 0.005) of light PCBs of the river mouth’s sediments after each wet season indicated that the invading particles were rich in unweathered PCBs. PCBs previously buried in the surface soil of heavily contaminated sites were flushed into this estuary through surface runoff. The precipitation altered the PCB patterns in sediment organic matter, the dietary source of mullet, and consequently changed that of mullets accordingly, which all possessed significant greater fraction of light PCBs. In this study, it was demonstrated that seasonal summer precipitation affected the distribution of PCBs on surface sediments and the mullets of this estuary. PCB residuals retained in this region still pose potential threats to biota resided here.     

Seasonal variations in phosphorus species in the surface sediments of the Gulf of Riga, Baltic Sea.

The redox-dependent variations in concentrations of phosphorus at two different accumulation bottom areas were investigated in the Gulf of Riga (Baltic Sea) between December 1993 and January 1995. The sediment samples from nine sampling occasions were analyzed for phosphorus forms and redox potential. The average concentrations of total phosphorus measured in 0-1 cm (65 and 89 micromol P g(-1) for sites G5 and T3, respectively) were among the highest reported from the entire Baltic Sea. Redox-dependent "mobile" phosphorus (MP) contributed more than 50% of total in the uppermost-oxidized centimeter, whereas in reduced layers it was 16-18% throughout the year. The significant differences (ANOVA, P<0.01) among months of inorganic phosphorus (IP) concentration at 0-1 cm were observed at site G5 due to temporary accumulation of mobile phosphorus mediated by redox-dependent bacteria activity during summer. On the contrary no accumulation was observed at T3 probably as a result of low redox potential caused by high accumulation rates and low bioturbation. Although the water column above sediments remained oxic throughout the investigation period, the redox potential at site T3 was close to the redoxcline (i.e., +230 mV) during summer. Further increase of eutrophication might lead to development of anoxic conditions at sediment-water interface and that in turn will result in rapid release of redox-dependent phosphorus stored in surface sediments. The availability of excess phosphorus will further enhance eutrophication in partly phosphorus-limited Gulf of Riga.     

合肥市南淝河不同排口表层沉积物磷形态分布特征

对合肥市南淝河不同排口处表层沉积物进行了采样,并采用修正后的标准测试程序SMT和钼锑抗紫外分光光度法测定了其中的总磷(TP)、无机磷(IP)、有机磷(OP)、铁/铝磷(Fe/Al-P)和钙磷(Ca-P),同时分析了各形态磷之间以及与沉积物有机质之间的相关性。结果表明,由于各排口附近不同的水动力条件,污染状况以及沉积环境,各排口表层沉积物总磷(TP)的质量分数存在显著差异,其值在771.23~3 065.36 mg/kg之间,除二里河排口(S15)沉积物磷以钙磷(CaP)为主外,其他采样点表层沉积物磷均以铁/铝磷(Fe/Al-P)为主,各形态P的最低值均在位于南淝河上游的S4点,TP、IP、Fe/Al-P的最大值均出现在位于望塘污水厂排口下游60 m处的S6点,潜在释放磷比例最大值在南淝河上游受农业面源污染影响较大的S3点。沉积物各形态磷之间存在着不同程度的相关性,各形态磷与有机质存在着显著的正相关。以上结果表明,南淝河沉积物磷形态分布特征受排口类型影响显著,其中城市污水处理厂尾水可能是受纳水体沉积物重要的磷源。     

Spatial and temporal organic and heavy metal pollution at Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve,Hong Kong

An intensive monthly sampling of water and sediments from 12 sites over 8 months covering wet and dry seasons at Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve was conducted during June 1997-February 1998. Major organic (C, N and P) and heavy metal pollutants (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) water and sediment samples were examined. The results showed that Mai Po Marshes were severely polluted by organic matter and heavy metals, and the water from Deep Bay appeared to be the source of pollution. Up to 13-55% chance that the sediments of Mai Po Marshes were classified as moderately to seriously metal contaminated materials, according to the guideline set by Hong Kong Government. Empirical models describing organic matter and heavy metal spatial and seasonal dynamics in the water and sediments were formulated, based on data analysis. During wet season (June-October), more than 58% variations of total P can be explained by ortho-P in water, while ammonia-N explained up to 90% variations of total Kjeldahl nitrogen in water. Throughout the whole sampling period (June-February), there were significant correlations (p<0.01) between total organic C in water. pH in the sediments and salinity in water appeared to be important factors determining heavy metal mobility in sediments, while potential metal release from the sediments is a concern when any oxidizing processes such as flooding or dredging are imposed on sediments.     

Organic pollutants in the Odra river ecosystem

The paper presents the results of the analysis of water and bottom sediment samples from different locations along the Odra river, collected during eight campaigns in the years 1997-2000. All the basic organic pollutants were determined. Pollution of water with PCBs was negligible while with PAHs was not critical. Concentrations of volatile organochlorine compounds in water were the highest in Brzeg Dolny and its surroundings. Concentrations of tetrachloroethene were exceptionally high in the Szczecin Lagoon. The Odra sediments were non-polluted or only slightly polluted with PCBs, pesticides and different classes of volatile organic pollutants. However, PAHs were present in rather large concentrations, especially in the upper course of the Odra river. The data obtained contributed to the evaluation of pollutants discharges to the Baltic sea via Szczecin Lagoon as well as to the characterization of pollution sources (point sources and area sources) in the Odra catchment area.     

Sense or no-sense of the sum parameter for water soluble "adsorbable organic halogens" (AOX) and "absorbed organic halogens" (AOX-S18) for the assessment of organohalogens in sludges and sediments

"AOX" is the abbreviation of the sum parameter for water soluble "adsorbable organic halogens" in which 'A' stands for adsorbable, 'O' for organic and 'X' for the halogens chlorine, bromine and iodine.After the introduction of the AOX in 1976, this parameter has been correctly used for "real" AOX constituents (DDT and its metabolites, PCBs, etc.) but also misused for non-adsorbable adsorbed OX-compounds, mostly high molecular organohalogens in plants and even to inorganic compounds being neither organic nor adsorbable.The question of natural "Adsorbable Organic Halogens" (AOX) formed by living organisms and/or during natural abiogenic processes has been definitively solved by the known existence of already more than 3650 organohalogen compounds, amongst them the highly reactive, cancerogenic vinyl chloride (VC).The extension of the AOX to AOX-S18 for Sludges and Sediments, in which A stands for adsorbed (not for adsorbable) is questionable. It includes the most important water insoluble technical organochlorine product: polyvinyl chloride, PVC.In addition to organic halogens it also includes inorganic, mineralogenic halides, incorporated mainly in the crystal lattice of fine grained phyllosilicates, the typical clay minerals (kaolinite, montmorillonite, illite and chlorite) which are main constituents of sediments and sedimentary rocks representing the major part of the sedimentary cover of the earth.Other phyllosilicates, biotite and muscovite, major constituents of granites and many metamorphic rocks (gneiss and mica schist) will also contribute to the AOX-S18 especially in soils as result of weathering processes.Since chlorine is incorporated into the mineral structure and, as a consequence, not soluble by the nitric acid analytical step (pH 0.5) of the S18 determination, it will account to the AOX-S18 in the final charcoal combustion step at temperatures >950 degrees C.After heavy rainfalls sewage sludge composition is strongly influenced by mineralogenic components derived from the erosion of fine grained sediments or soils. Assuming 50% geogenic particles with a mean Cl concentration of 103 mg/kg (as in shales and clays) the mineralogenic Cl-content could add about 50 mg/kg to the organic AOX in sewage sludge.The occurrence of insoluble and non-adsorbable PVC in sewage sludge exhibits the same problems as the mineralogenic constituents: a detection as AOX-S18 is possible when the final high temperature analytical step is applied.Plants as major sources of organohalogens have never been doubted.Only recently [Science 295 (2002) 985] based on the determination of the form of Cl with near-edge X-ray adsorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy and extended X-ray adsorption showed the variations in the inorganic Cl(-) and organo-Cl compounds with increasing humification of plant leaves from "fresh leaves--senescent leaves on plants--senescent leaves on soil--powdered top soil--isolated soil humus". His finding of exclusively inorganic Cl(-) in the starting material (fresh leaves) is controverse to our earlier results indicating the presence of ionic inorganic Cl together with water insoluble absorbed organohalogens (AOX-S18) in eight different macrophytes of both terrestrial and marine environments.Our research on AOX in interstitial water of anaerobic limnic sediments has led to the role of bromine playing in the diagenesis of the organic matter of sediments. In sediments of Lake Constance Br(-) concentrations in lake water at the sediment water interface increased from <0.01 to 0.25 mg/l in the pore water at 77 cm sediment depth.In the Neckar River a Br concentrations of 0.02 mg/l at the water/sediment interface increasing to 0.74 mg/l in pore water in 85 cm depth was found. Here a parallel development could be found with ammonium concentration and alkalinity. The very high positive correlation ammonium:bromide and bromide:alkalinity leads to the conclusion, that bromine, originally a high molecular constituent of the organic matter, is released as bromide during an early dehalogenation stage of diagenesis.The mlusion, that bromine, originally a high molecular constituent of the organic matter, is released as bromide during an early dehalogenation stage of diagenesis.The main general reason to discard the AOX sum parameter as a whole lies in the fact, that adsorbable halogenated substances cannot a priori be categorized as natural/anthropogenic, biotic/abiotic, harmful/harmless. If applied to sludges and sediments, adsorbed organohalogens are not water soluble and therefore not adsorbable, and mineralogenic halogens (X) are neither organic nor adsorbable, and therefore by definition no AOX.     

气动絮凝强化处理城镇污染河水

为减轻水体污染,缓解环境压力,对典型城镇污染河水进行气动絮凝实验研究。在设定的实验条件下,以某大学中水站格栅后生活污水稀释配制的水样来模拟典型城镇污染河水并作为实验研究对象,以无机高分子聚合物聚合氯化铁铝(PFAC)为絮凝剂,有机高分子聚合物聚丙烯酰胺(PAM)为助凝剂。在此基础上,以浊度、COD、总磷和溶解氧为测定指标,采用连续流的方式进行一系列实验研究。实验结果显示:采用微孔曝气头进行曝气,当混合阶段充气量及絮凝池第一格、第二格充气量分别为1.778 m3空气/m3处理污水量、1.444 m3空气/m3处理污水量和0.622 m3空气/m3处理污水量时,城镇污染河水中污染物的去除效果最佳。其浊度、COD、TP的去除率可分别达93.6%、68.6%和73.5%。此外,在处理效果良好的前提下,沉淀池出水口出水溶解氧含量均能保持在2.29 mg/L左右。     

第二松花江(哈达湾-松花江村段)沉积物中有机物污染研究

本文所研究江段的有机污染物主要来自两岸工业排放的废水、生活污水、工业废弃物及生活垃圾。污染源主要位于右岸,上游右岸沉积物中有机污染物的总浓度高于左岸,下游两岸沉积物中有机污染物的总浓度趋于一致。两岸沉积物中污染物总浓度随距离的变化规律如下: 右岸:C=92.044S~(-0.3028) R=-0.962 左岸:C=9.231e~(-0.0058) R=0.946 在该江段沉积物中共检出51种有机污染物。其中致癌、可疑致癌、致突变化合物25种,占检出化合物的49％。淤泥质沉积物中有机污染物的存在量60.67吨,岸边滩及心滩土壤中存在量138.2吨。     

Evaluation of phosphorus bioavailability in sediments of three contrasting lakes in China and the UK

The bioavailability of phosphorus (P) in sediments from West Lake and Lake Tai (China) and Lough Erne (Northern Ireland) was evaluated using total P (TP), water soluble P (WSP), readily desorbable P (RDP), algal available P (AAP) and Olsen-P. The results indicated that the TP content, the amounts of phosphorus extracted by each method and their proportions to TP varied widely between sediments of the three lakes. TP and chemical extractable phosphorus in the sediments of Lough Erne were considerably higher than those of the two lakes in China. Although TP in the West Lake sediments was similar to that of Lake Tai, the extractable phosphorus data suggested that the bioavailability of P in West Lake sediments was higher than that in sediments from Lake Tai. Nevertheless, the rank order of extraction efficiency was the same in all lakes and the amount extracted was in the sequence AAP > Olsen-P > WSP > RDP. There was a good correlation between extracted and TP in all the methods examined.     

Horizontal and vertical variabilities of mercury concentration and speciation in sediments of the Gdansk Basin,Southern Baltic Sea

The mercury compounds introduced to the environment because of anthropogenic activity are accumulated, mainly, in marine sediments. Both distribution of mercury in the Baltic Sea and factors affecting it are remain largely unknown. Due to its complex chemistry and variable conditions in the Baltic Sea bottom sediments, mercury may be reemitted to the overlaying water, and thus to the environment.The aim of this study was twofold. Total mercury contents were measured in sediments of the Gdansk Basin along a Vistula mouth (main source)--Gdansk Deep (deposition area) transect in order to assess spatial distribution of the element. Soft and sandy bottom sediment cores were collected and cut into slices. The mercury measurements consisted of acid digestion followed by CV-AAS determination. A five-step sequential extraction procedure involving measurements of mercury species water soluble, bound to humic substances and insoluble, was employed in order to investigate mercury speciation. On the basis of speciation results stability and remobilisation potential was assessed. The second aim was demonstrating that mercury gradients in vertical profiles of the investigated sediment cores exist.Total mercury contents varied in range from 28 ng/g x dw to 844 ng/g. Mercury associated with organic matter and sulphides, (respectively 39% and 49%) were the dominant species of the element. The results indicated that the river run-off is a source of mercury in the area. Vertical gradients of both total content and speciation of mercury in the soft sediments were attributed to both remobilisation from sediments, and decreasing trend in the anthropogenic load of the element deposited to sediments.