Evaluation of mercury in a freshwater environment impacted by an organomercury fungicide using diffusive gradient in thin films

Abstract

The use of pesticides to manage pest problems for crop protection is common practice around the world, and their accumulation in soils and contamination of water bodies is a global environmental problem. In Australia, an organomercury (Hg)-based fungicide is the most popular for control of pineapple disease of sugarcane. However, the presence of Hg is of great concern because of potential adverse effects in the environment. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the residual levels of Hg in soils of sugarcane cultivation from a catchment in North Queensland (Australia). Mercury was surveyed in soils close to the Tully River at 3 different depths (100, 200 and 300mm). Additionally, total Hg (THg) and the labile fraction of Hg in water (measured by the diffusive gradient in thin film technique) were determined in the Tully River. A pristine site, the Tully Gorge National Park upstream of sugarcane fields, was selected for background Hg concentration estimation. In soils, Hg levels ranged from 18 to 264μgkg−1, with one of the soil samples being almost 10 times higher than at other sites at the surface level (199μgkg−1). Total and labile concentrations of Hg in water increased from the Hg-elevated soil sampling sites (0.085μgL−1 and 0.061μgL−1) to downstream sites (0.082μgL−1 and 0.066μgL−1), which is likely due to agricultural runoff. Indeed, except for the upstream control site, the THg concentration in water is over the limit permitted by the Australian freshwater quality guideline for protection of 99% species (0.06μgL−1). These findings point to the need to perform further research to reveal the mechanisms for release of Hg from soil and whether this might be causing important adverse effects to the Great Barrier Reef located in front of this river catchment.