Review and assessment of mercury contamination and risk in sediment and food chain near a chlor-alkali plant

Abstract

Mercury pollution from a chlor-alkali plant has caused a long-term impact on the northwest of the Persian Gulf. In this article, the history of mercury concentration in Musa estuary, Iran, is summarized from previous research and reports and used to estimate the health risk assessment. Despite the closure of the chlor-alkali plant in 2016, the mercury level in sediments and biota is still higher than the acceptable standards in some parts of the estuary. Mercury concentrations and bioaccumulation in the food chain, including fish, crustaceans, birds, and humans, were evaluated. Health risk assessments indicate that consuming some fish species may put children and adults at risk of mercury exposure. Further study is required to fill the gaps for mercury monitoring and recovery.