Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the mercury concentration in bottom sediments, collected from eight reservoirs located in south-eastern Poland. A DMA-80 Mercury Analyser was used for the analysis of the concentration of mercury in bottom sediments. Concentration of mercury in sediments was between 0.01-0.18 mg∙kg −1 . The research results show that 13 samples are above the Polish Hg background level. Only 9 samples are below the background level. Generally, the sediments belonged to class I and II (unpolluted and moderately polluted sediments). The concentration of mercury in bottom sediments follows the order: Ryb- nik (highest) > Bagna Rzeszowskie > Rzeszow > Ozanna > Brzoza Stadnicka > Brzoza Krolewska > Gluchow > Narozniki (lowest). The low mercury content in sediments is related to absent or limited anthropogenic sources of this metal. Elevated concentrations of Hg in bottom sediments of the reservoirs in Rybnik and Bagna Rzeszow- skie are related to their proximity to large agglomerations and industrial plants. Organic matter was likely to be the most important factors controlling the concentration and distribution of mercury in the studied sediments.
Highlights
Sediments accumulating at the bottom of watercourses and reservoirs have various compositions which depend on the composition of source rocks in river basins, the geomorphology of the area, climatic conditions and, on the management, of the use of the river basin area and pollutants reaching the waters (Bojakowska et al 2006)
The aim of this study was to assess mercury concentrations in bottom sediments collected from eight reservoirs located in south-eastern Poland
The concentration of organic matter in the bottom sediments was between 4.8 g∙kg−1 d.m. (Narożniki) to 247.3 g∙kg−1 d.m. (Rybnik)
Summary
Sediments accumulating at the bottom of watercourses and reservoirs have various compositions which depend on the composition of source rocks in river basins, the geomorphology of the area, climatic conditions and, on the management, of the use of the river basin area and pollutants reaching the waters (Bojakowska et al 2006). Mercury bound in bottom sediments can be remobilized. Distribution of mercury compounds depends mainly on redox conditions (Kabata-Pendias & Pendias 1999). Both biotic and abiotic processes, responsible for the reduction and methylation of mercury, can affect its mobilization (Capri & Lindberg 1997). The quality of sediments is an essential indicator of water pollution with this element.
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