Laboratory studies on the accumulation of inorganic mercury and methylmercury by the mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam) in relation to the presence of sediment

A comparative study on the accumulation of inorganic mercury and methylmercury by the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis was based on nine days of exposure to 25 µg L^?1 HgCl₂ or to 2.5 µg L^?1 methylmercury in laboratory microcosms. Mercury (Hg) content was evaluated in the gills, digestive gland, and mantle. A higher accumulation occurred in the gills than in other tissues. The effect of the sediment on the bioaccumulation of the Hg species was evaluated. The results showed that the sediment accumulated the inorganic Hg more efficiently than the methylmercury. In both cases, the bioaccumulation in the tissues was reduced. The observed differences emphasized the need for caution when field results are compared with the results of laboratory experiments. The fate of either inorganic or organic Hg was depicted considering the absolute total amount given and the amount found in all the matrices (organism, sediment, and seawater).     

上海市吴泾工业区周边土壤和树叶中汞污染调查

对上海市吴泾工业区热电厂、氯碱厂、焦化厂周边土壤和树叶中汞及甲基汞的含量作了调查.结果显示,三个厂区周边土壤中总汞含量在几十到几百ng·g-1,而甲基汞的含量则很低.树叶中总汞浓度约为十几到几十ng·g-1.三个厂中以热电厂周边土壤和树叶中的总汞含量最高,氯碱厂甲基汞含量比较大.三个厂区周边土壤和植物部分受到了汞污染.     

蓟运河水中甲基汞形态分布研究

以受汞污染的蓟运河水为对象,用化学平衡模拟方法研究了甲基汞不同形态的分布规律,运用IECWDI计算水体系化学平衡程序,收集蓟运河水九种金属离子、十种配体数据,考虑了72种络合物物种,25种可能生成的固体和两个氧化还原体系,计算中需用的甲基汞与黄腐酸络合物常数,建立了溶剂萃取法进行测定。最后计算了盐度、pH、pE等对形态分布的影响。     

Response of Mercury Contamination in Fish to Decreased Aqueous Concentrations and Loading of Inorganic Mercury in a Small Stream

Approximately 250 000 kg of mercury was lost towater and soils at the U.S. Dept. of Energy Y-12 Plantin Oak Ridge, Tennessee in the 1950s and early 1960s. A creek originating within the plant receivedcontinuous inputs of waterborne mercury, predominantlyas dissolved inorganic mercury, from groundwater,streambed contamination, and sump and process waterdischarges to the contaminated storm sewer network.These produce aqueous total mercury concentrations of1–2 g L^-1 in the upper reaches of the stream,decreasing to about 0.1–0.2 g L^-1 in its lowerreaches. A program to reduce mercury concentrationsin the creek identified specific sources (buildingsumps, contaminated springwater seeps, foundationdrains, and contaminated piping) and rerouted wateraround contaminated portions of the drain system orcollected and treated mercury-contaminated waterbefore discharging it. As a result, waterbornemercury concentrations in the creek and total mercuryloading were reduced from 1.8 g L^-1 to0.6 g L^-1 and 100 to 20 g d^-1, respectively, in the last 5 yr.Mean mercury concentrations in fish nearest sourceareas in the creek headwaters decreased at roughly thesame rate as waterborne total mercury concentrationsover the past five years, but at the facility boundarydownstream the decline in mercury bioaccumulation wasmuch less. At sites 5–15 km farther downstream, nodecrease was evident. Dissolved methylmercury tendedto increase with distance downstream in a patterninverse to that noted for its dissolved inorganicmercury precursor.Improvements in water quality and modification ofweirs to allow the passage of fish have resulted inthe establishment of large populations of fish inmercury-contaminated headwater areas previously devoidof fish. It may be that the accumulation, retention,and eventual downstream transport of this reservoir ofbiologically incorporated methylmercury has acted tobuffer against expected reductions in mercury in fishat downstream sites.     

MERCURY IN WATER AND SEDIMENT OF STEAMBOAT CREEK,NEVADA: IMPLICATIONS FOR STREAM RESTORATION1

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to characterize the sources, concentrations, and distribution of total and methylmer‐cury in water, and channel and bank sediments of Steamboat Creek, Nevada. This information was needed to begin to assess the potential impacts of stream restoration on mercury pollution in this tributary to the Truckee River. The Truckee River flows into Pyramid Lake, a terminal water body home to one endangered and one threatened fish species, where stable pollutants will accumulate over time. Mercury in Steamboat Creek was originally derived from its headwaters, Washoe Lake, where several gold and silver mills that utilized mercury were located. In the 100 plus years since ore processing occurred, mercury‐laden alluvium has been deposited in the stream channel and on streambanks where it is available for remobilization. Total mercury concentrations measured in unfiltered water from the creek ranged from 82 to 419 ng/L, with greater than 90 percent of this mercury being particle‐bound (> 0.45 (m). Mercury in sediments ranged from 0.26 to 10.2 μg/g. Methylmercury concentrations in sediments of Steamboat Creek were highest in wetlands, lower in the stream channel, and still lower in streambank settings. Methylmercury concentrations in water were 0.63 to 1.4 ng/L. A streambank restoration plan, which includes alterations to channel geometry and wetland creation or expansion, has been initiated for the creek. Data developed indicate that streambank stabilization could reduce the mercury loading to the Creek and that wetland construction could exacerbate methylmercury production.     

武汉城市湖泊表层底泥汞分布、风险评价及影响因素

底泥作为汞重要的"汇"及二次"源"，在湖泊系统汞生物地球化学循环中起到了重要作用。本文以武汉主要城市湖泊为研究对象，探究了表层底泥中总汞（THg）和甲基汞（MeHg）的分布特征、潜在生态风险及主要影响因素。结果表明，武汉15个城市湖泊表层底泥THg平均浓度为152±170 ng/g （24~611 ng/g），与国内其它湖泊系统相比处于较高水平；MeHg浓度为52.0±46.8 pg/g （ND~161.0 pg/g），低于其它湖泊系统。空间分布上，底泥THg浓度呈现由武汉市中心向外逐渐递减的趋势，MeHg含量并未呈现类似THg的分布趋势。潜在生态风险评价（PERI）结果显示，所有采样点位中汞潜在生态风险极高和高风险等级占比均为5.7%，且主要分布在市中心附近，说明武汉市中心附近湖泊底泥汞污染程度较重，而市中心外围湖泊底泥汞生态风险较低。相关性分析结果显示，有机质可能是影响武汉城市湖泊底泥THg分布的重要因素之一，而MeHg主要受控于无机汞的原位甲基化过程。底泥THg浓度-湖泊距市中心距离间显著的负相关关系、THg浓度-湖泊所在区GDP/人均GDP间的显著正相关关系均表明人为活动对武汉城市湖泊汞分布影响明显。