Use of diffusive gradient in thin-films (DGTs) to advance environmental mercury research: Development, growth, and tomorrow

Gade, Christoph; Mbadugha, Lenka; Paton, Graeme

doi:10.1016/j.teac.2024.e00230

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Volatilised Hg can remain in the atmosphere for months before being redeposited through rainfall, becoming a significant pathway for contamination even in remote areas [ 17 , 18 ]. When in its double-charged ionic form, Hg is highly soluble and can interact with naturally occurring organic material [ 19 , 20 ]. Other inorganic forms, such as chalcogenides, are more lithogenic and assumed to have lower bioavailability [ 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury Dynamics in the Sea of Azov: Insights from a Mass Balance Model

Gade,

von Hellfeld,

Mbadugha

et al. 2024

Toxics

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The Sea of Azov, an inland shelf sea bounding Ukraine and Russia, experiences the effects of ongoing and legacy pollution. One of the main contaminants of concern is the heavy metal mercury (Hg), which is emitted from the regional coal industry, former Hg refineries, and the historic use of mercury-containing pesticides. The aquatic biome acts both as a major sink and source in this cycle, thus meriting an examination of its environmental fate. This study collated existing Hg data for the SoA and the adjacent region to estimate current Hg influxes and cycling in the ecosystem. The mercury-specific model “Hg Environmental Ratios Multimedia Ecosystem Sources” (HERMES), originally developed for Canadian freshwater lakes, was used to estimate anthropogenic emissions to the sea and regional atmospheric Hg concentrations. The computed water and sediment concentrations (6.8 ng/L and 55.7 ng/g dw, respectively) approximate the reported literature values. The ongoing military conflict will increase environmental pollution in the region, thus further intensifying the existing (legacy) anthropogenic pressures. The results of this study provide a first insight into the environmental Hg cycle of the Sea of Azov ecosystem and underline the need for further emission control and remediation efforts to safeguard environmental quality.

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