Impact of hydrotechnical works on outflow of mercury from the riparian zone to a river and input to the sea

Saniewska, Dominika; Gębka, Karolina; Bełdowska, Magdalena; Siedlewicz, Grzegorz; Bełdowski, Jacek; Wilman, Bartłomiej

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.03.059

Cited by 15 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…In SPM collected in the Baltic, the proportion of the dominant form Hg ads1 was higher than that measured in the SPM introduced into the Southern Baltic via rivers, such as the Reda (25–44%) or the Gizdepka (44–48%)—in these watercourses, the predominant form was Hg in organic bonds, whose proportion reached 61% (Saniewska et al 2019 ). A similar proportion of Hg forms was also observed in the SPM in the Southern Baltic coastal zone, where the contribution of Hg ads1 ranged from 26 to 39%, while the proportion of Hg abs was predominant and accounted for about 50% of Hg TOT (Jędruch and Bełdowska 2020 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…The high proportion of Hg abs in the riverine SPM and in the coastal zone of the sea can be associated with high primary production, which may include the presence of phytoplankton, in which the share of Hg in organic bonds is much higher (Le Faucher et al 2014 ; Gosnell and Mason 2015 ; Bełdowska et al 2018 ). Another possible reason is the outflow of Hg abs from the soils in the catchment area (Saniewska et al 2019 ). The increase in the contribution of Hg ads1 in the Baltic SPM may indicate mineralisation of organic matter as the distance from land-based Hg sources grows (Bradtke et al 2005 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Distribution and bioavailability of mercury in the surface sediments of the Baltic Sea

Kwasigroch

Bełdowska

Jędruch

et al. 2021

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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The study aimed to determine the level of mercury (Hg) and its labile and stable forms in the surface sediments of the Baltic Sea. The work considers the impact of current and historical sources of Hg on sediment pollution, together with the influence of different environmental parameters, including water inflows from the North Sea. Surface sediments (top 5 cm) were collected in 2016–2017 at 91 stations located in different areas of the Baltic Sea, including Belt Sea, Arkona Basin, Bornholm Basin, Gdańsk Basin, West Gotland Basin, East Gotland Basin, and the Bothnian Sea. Besides, the particulate matter suspended in the surface and near-bottom water was also collected. The analysis of total Hg concentration and individual Hg forms in collected samples was carried out using a 5-step thermodesorption method. This method allows for the identification of three labile and thus biologically available, fractions of Hg, which are mercury halides, organic Hg, mercury oxide and sulphate. Two stable fractions, mercury sulphide and residual Hg, were also determined. The highest Hg concentrations, reaching 341 ng g−1, were measured in the highly industrialised Kiel Bay, which was additionally a munition dumping site during and after World War II. High Hg level, ranging from 228 to 255 ng g−1, was also recorded in the surface sediments of the Arkona Basin, which was a result of the cumulative effect of several factors, such as deposition of Hg-rich riverine matter, favourable hydrodynamic conditions and military activities in the past. The relatively elevated Hg concentrations, varying from 60 to 264 ng g−1, were found in the Gdańsk Basin, a region under strong anthropopressure and dominated by soft sediments. The sum of labile Hg in sediments was high and averaged 67% (with the domination of organic Hg compounds), which means that a large part of Hg can be released to the water column. It was found that the water inflows from the North Sea intensify the remobilisation of Hg and its transformation into bioavailable labile forms. As a consequence, the load of Hg introduced into the trophic chain can increase. Despite the significant reduction of Hg emission into the Baltic in the last decades, surface sediments can be an important secondary Hg source in the marine ecosystem. This is especially dangerous in the case of the western Baltic Sea.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and bioavailability of mercury in the surface sediments of the Baltic Sea

Kwasigroch

Bełdowska

Jędruch

et al. 2021

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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“…The dominance of Hgabs during this period was likely related to the development of mercuryabsorbing vegetation [27]. A study [31] showed that in catchments where reed cutting occurs, there is an increase in the proportion of organic mercury (Hgabs). This suggests that reeds readily absorb bioavailable mercury.…”

Section: Seasonal Variations In the Content Of Hg Forms In The Soil Of River Catchmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in the Content of Different Forms of Mercury in River Catchments of the Southern Baltic Sea – Case Study

Gębka

Bełdowska

2020

Polish Hyperbaric Research

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Mercury (Hg) is recognised as a global environmental pollutant. Despite numerous studies being conducted around the world, the transformation of mercury in natural environments is still not fully understood. In addition, increasing droughts and heavy rains are currently observed to contribute to changes in the circulation of Hg. The purpose of this study was to recognise the influence of extreme meteorological and hydrological conditions on the inflow of various forms of mercury to the coastal zone of the Bay of Puck. The studies were carried out at estuarial stations of four rivers belonging to the southern Baltic Sea catchment: Reda, Zagorska Struga, Gizdepka and Płutnica. The results showed that meteorological and hydrological parameters affect mercury speciation in river catchments, which translates into inflow of labile mercury to the southern Baltic Sea.

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“…In natural regions, only 10-30% of Hg deposited from the atmosphere flows from the catchment area to the river, while in the humantransformed catchment the Hg outflow can reach 65% (Driscoll et al 1998). Research by Saniewska et al (2014bSaniewska et al ( , 2019 showed that in transformed areas, water in rivers was several times more contaminated with THg compared to natural areas. This is important as the agricultural areas cover two-thirds of Poland, which stimulates such a great Hg outflow from soil to rivers and then to the sea.…”

Section: Soilmentioning

confidence: 99%

Status and trends of mercury pollution of the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems in Poland

Jędruch

Falkowska

Saniewska

et al. 2021

Ambio

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The goal of this paper is to assess the current status and trends of total mercury (THg) contamination of the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems in Poland. The study shows that the reduced domestic and worldwide atmospheric emission of Hg resulted in decreased THg level in the terrestrial biotope and biosphere. Considering that Poland is one of the main Hg emitters in Europe, the THg concentrations in its abiotic environment are still elevated. However, the THg level in terrestrial organisms is relatively low, which is because a large proportion of Hg deposited on land is accumulated in organic-rich soils. Regarding the THg concentration, consumption of wildlife and livestock from Poland is safe for humans. Nevertheless, the authors indicate the need for effective environmental monitoring, based on selected bioindicators, which is crucial considering the slowing reduction of Hg emission combined with the consequences of the changing climate.

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Impact of hydrotechnical works on outflow of mercury from the riparian zone to a river and input to the sea

Cited by 15 publications

References 68 publications

Distribution and bioavailability of mercury in the surface sediments of the Baltic Sea

Distribution and bioavailability of mercury in the surface sediments of the Baltic Sea

Variation in the Content of Different Forms of Mercury in River Catchments of the Southern Baltic Sea – Case Study

Status and trends of mercury pollution of the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems in Poland

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