The contribution of mercury from thermal springs to the environmental contamination of Mt. Amiata

Abstract

Historically Mt. Amiata has served as an important source of Hg in the Mediterranean basin. In spite of more than a decade without mining or smelting operations, the area remains heavily contaminated. Many old mine sites as well as geothermal plumes still exist. A common belief is, however, that the many thermal springs which carry their contents over the mountainous area, constitute a significant source of Hg. A 1987–88 study of the Hg distribution in air, soil and vegetation at the Bagno Vignoni and Bagni S. Filippo thermal springs, and at the mining town of Abbadia S. Salvatore has demonstrated that Hg content around the springs was comparable to reported values in areas of little or no contamination, whereas those values found at Abbadia S. Salvatore compare well with high levels reported in the mining community of Fort St. James, British Columbia.