Mercury in soils of intermountain depressions in the Western Baikal region

Abstract

The article presents original data on the gross concentration of Hg in soils of various types in the territory of the southwestern Baikal region. Quantitative estimates of Hg distribution over the area of intermountain depressions and slopes of mountain ranges have been obtained. The features of the distribution of Hg concentrations in the surface component of soils depending on the type of soils, granulometric composition, hydrolytic acidity, the sum of exchangeable bases, the degree of saturation with bases, pH, humus, CO, N, and humic acids were revealed. The forms of Hg occurrence in soils of different types are determined: the largest proportion of Hg is in the forms associated with organic complexes and exchangeable bases. The calculated indicators indicate an increased natural geochemical background of mercury in soils, which is associated with the territorial belonging to the Baikal rift zone.