Distribution Of Mercury Species Research Articles

Effects of complexing agents on the distribution of Hg(II) species provided by food to starfishLeptasterias polaris

AbstractMature starfish Leptasterias polaris were exposed to labelled mercury (II) species via food contaminated at a level of 5.0 μg g−1. The distribution of inorganic Hg and methylmercury (MeHg) in starfish organs and tissues and the effect of a series of complexing agents on mercury translocation between organs and tissues were examined over a 24-h period. The distribution of mercury species in coelomic fluid components, ammonia excretion rate and mercury excretion were also measured. The highest concentrations were observed in the stomach (the source organ) and in pyloric caecum (up to 0.32 μg g−1 wet weight for inorganic Hg and 0.22 μg g−1 for MeHg). Concentrations of MeHg in gonads ranged from ≤ 0.01 to 0.08 μg g−1 whereas concentrations of inorganic Hg never exceeded 0.06 μg g−1. In all studied cases, mercury concentration was very low the coelomic fluid (≤ 0.01 μg g−1). The short-term distribution of Hg species via contaminated food in starfish L. polaris seems to be controlled by the haemal syste...

Distribution of mercury species in soil from a mercury-contaminated site

The distribution of mercury species was determined in soil from a site with Hg contamination. Mercury contamination was primarily confined to the top 40 cm of soil, and the concentration of total Hg ranged from 0.5 to 3000 µg Hg g−1. Of total Hg present, we determined that 91% was inorganic, 0.01% organic (as methyl Hg), and 6% elemental Hg. Furthermore, of total inorganic Hg present, 85% was in the insoluble mercuric sulfide form. Thus, of total Hg present in soil at this contaminated site, 91% was in the relatively insoluble HgS and Hg0 forms.

Distribution of atmospheric mercury species near ground

A recently developed technique makes possible the routine analysis of atmospheric samples for particulate and volatile mercury. The volatile fraction can be analyzed for several chemical species. This work presents the results of some Tampb Bay area analyses and diurnal studies of atmospheric mercury speciation. The mercury in air in the area investigated was primarily volatile (>90%) and was composed of significant proportions of mercury (II)-type compounds, methylmercury (II)-type compounds, and elemental mercury. Dimethylmercury was rarely observed. Results were quite variable suggesting a variety of sources and irregular wind transport processes. The data indicate that background mercury concentrations and the percentage distribution of mercury species in air in a local area may be established by mercury emanations from the ground or from adjacent bodies of water.