Distribution of Mercury Concentrations in Tree Rings and Surface Soils Adjacent to a Phosphate Fertilizer Plant in Southern Korea.

Abstract

This study aimed to determine mercury concentrations in tree rings and surface soils at distances of 4, 26 and 40km from a fertilizer plant located in Yeosu City, Korea. Mercury concentrations in all tree rings were low prior to the establishment of the plant in 1977 and became elevated thereafter. The highest average mercury concentration in the tree rings was 11.96ngg-1 at the Yeosu site located nearest to the plant, with the lowest average mercury concentration of 4.45ngg-1 at the Suncheon site furthest away from the plant. In addition, the highest mercury content in the surface soil was 108.51ng cm-3 at the Yeosu site, whereas the lowest mercury content in the surface soil was 31.47ng cm-3 at the Suncheon site. The mercury levels decreased gradually with increasing distance from the plant.