Mercury Concentrations In Samples Research Articles

Biological and ecological traits rather than geography control mercury (Hg) in scutes of marine turtles from the Southwest Atlantic

The use of sentinel species in monitoring programs for toxic metals such as mercury (Hg) is essential to understand these pollutants' impact on the environment. For this purpose, it is essential to use organisms that have a lifespan compatible with the residence time of Hg in the oceans, and preferably with a wide geographical distribution, such as sea turtles. Here, we assess the regional variability of Hg concentrations using carapace scutes of four sea turtle species along the foraging and spawning area in the northeast coastline of Brazil. Mercury concentrations in samples showed no relationship with the environmental Hg levels (obtained from literature). Rather, Hg concentrations varied according to species-specific biological, and ecological traits. Characteristics such as the ontogenetic shift in the diet of Chelonia mydas, capital breeding in females, depth of foraging in oceanic waters, and selectivity of food items, such as in Eretmochelys imbricata, significantly influenced Hg concentrations.

Analisis Kandungan Merkuri (Hg) pada Badan Air, Sedimen dan Biota yang Terdampak Aktivitas Pertambangan Emas di Kabupaten Parigi Moutong

Parigi Moutong District is one of the regencies in Central Sulawesi province with the highest number of illegal mining activities. Unlicensed mining activities generally use mercury as an extracting agent and gold processing waste is generally disposed of in rivers or other water bodies. The purpose of this study was to analyze the levels of heavy metal mercury (Hg) in water bodies, sediments, and marine biota in gold mining areas in Parigi Moutong District. The sampling method was carried out by random sampling method, while the analysis of mercury content in samples of river water, sediment, and biota was carried out using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). From the results of the study, it was found that mercury levels in water and sediment samples were still below the quality standard value which were 0.001 mg/Kg and 0.13 mg/Kg, respectively, while the mercury levels in all biota samples had exceeded the quality standard values ​(0.03 mg/Kg). This indicates that mercury has accumulated in the food chain in the water near the mine site.

Distribution of mercury concentrations in lichens, mosses and larch needles in Western Siberia (according to the 2019 data)

Abstract. This paper presents data on mercury concentrations in samples of lichen and moss, as well as needles of trees (larch, cedar and pine), taken in September 2019 along a rare sampling network on the meridional transect from the Novy Urengoy area in the north to Tobolsk in the south. The mean Hg concentration (ng/g) in samples of moss, lichen and larch needles was 26, 15 and 17, respectively. The Hg concentrations in samples of annual needles of pine and cedar were below the detection limit of the method (<10 ng/g). We discuss possible factors that affect the heterogeneity of the Hg distribution in biomonitors and the discrepancy between the Hg concentrations for samples taken at the same sites. There was a systematic increase in background mercury concentration near the Novy Urengoy city and the Gubkinsky town. We assume a possible decrease in the Hg concentration in the mosses of the middle part of Western Siberia compared to its northern part.

Determination of mercury thermospecies in South African coals in the enhancement of mercury removal by pre-combustion technologies

Samples of South African bituminous coals were analysed for total mercury (Hg) and Hg thermospecies concentrations using an RA-915 + Zeeman Mercury Analyser. Total mercury concentrations in samples of coals (n = 57) ranged between 10 ng g−1 and 493 ng g−1 with a mean value of 150 ± 53 ng g−1. Thermospecies of Hg were determined by monitoring Hg response as a function of sample temperature, increasing at 0.8 °C/s from ambient to 720 °C. This approach provides important information on thermal release of Hg species, as indicated by their appearance over specific temperature intervals. This permits identification of the presence of Hg thermospecies in coal and their quantification in each time (temperature) interval. It was found that 76% of tested bituminous coal samples release Hg species within low temperature intervals (20–180 °C and180–360 °C). The information generated in this study will aid in the selection of suitable coals for pre-combustion treatment that can lead to significant reduction of atmospheric Hg emission during coal combustion at power stations. This analytical approach can also be used for the creation of a system of coal classification based on the temperature of release of various Hg thermospecies.

Mercury and cadmium in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) stranded along the Southern Tyrrhenian and Western Ionian coasts

Pollution from heavy metals is becoming a serious and widespread problem due to their persistent and bioaccumulative nature, moreover in the Mediterranean Sea, threatening food safety and the health of humans and marine animals. Cadmium and mercury in particular, are considered two of the most toxic metals to living organisms. Their presence is associated with the contribution of human activity, implying an increased level in the different environmental compartments and the inevitable bioaccumulation in the food chain.In this study, levels of cadmium and mercury were determined in liver, kidney, and muscle tissue of dolphinid specimens of Stenella coeruleoalba stranded in different locations along the coastal areas of the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Sea in Southern Italy, during the period 2015–2018 by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Data were compared with those reported for other locations along the Mediterranean sea. The correlations between biometric data (body length, weight and gender) and cadmium and mercury concentrations in samples of cetaceans were statistically analysed in order to investigate the risk these contaminants may pose to the delphinids health.Examination of the pattern of contaminants revealed a significantly high distribution for mercury in all the matrices analyzed (liver, kidney and muscle tissue). On the contrary, elevated concentrations of cadmium were found only in liver (range: 0.005 - 8.95 mg/kg w.w.) and kidney (range: 0.005 - 34.1 mg/kg w.w.) due to accumulator role of these organs in long-term exposures.

Mercury concentrations in Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) and Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) from Bitung Fish Auction Market, North Sulawesi

Mercury is one of the heavy metals which rapidly accumulated into fish muscles. Accumulated mercury in the body of fish came from a polluted environment and their prey. Consuming fish infected with high-concentrated mercury could endanger human health. The purpose of this study was to observe the concentration of mercury in Yellowfin Tuna and Indian Mackerel samples from Bitung Fish Auction Market, North Sulawesi. Samples were divided into two categories, fillet and frozen fillet for Yellowfin Tuna’s samples, fillet and whole fish for Indian Mackerel’s samples. Mercury in samples was analyzed in Toxicology Laboratorium at Research Centre for Oceanography Indonesian Institute of Sciences (RCO-IIS) using Mercury Analyzer model MA-3000. The results showed that mercury concentrations in Yellowfin Tuna’s samples were 67.54 μg/kg and 737.84 μg/kg for fillet and frozen fillet, respectively. Meanwhile, mercury concentrations in Indian Mackerel fillet and whole fish samples were 146.35 μg/kg and 38.35 μg/kg, respectively. The mercury concentrations in the samples complied with SNI 7387-2009 and BPOM No. 23 – 2017 mercury standards.

Concentration of Total Mercury in the Blood, Urine and Hair of Gold Panners, Gold Traders, People Living in and Around Gold Panning Sites in the Territory of Fizi, DRC

This study covered a demographic sample of 384 people including gold panners, gold traders, people living in and around the gold panning sites in the Fizi territory who were selected from the total population of 17900 people using the stratified sampling technique. The main objective of this study was to determine total mercury content in samples of biological matrixes (blood, urine and hair) provided by the above-mentioned individuals over a 16-month cycle (August and December 2016 to August and December 2017). Total mercury was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) for each biological matrix studied. The results found revealed that only people residing in the reference site or non-mining site (Lulimba) had the lowest total mercury levels in compliance with WHO standards for all biological matrix studied (blood, hair and urine). In fact, for these entire biological matrixes, gold panners presented the highest total mercury levels, followed in turn by gold traders, subjects living near gold-mercury (Au-Hg) amalgamation incineration sites and gold trading houses, and villagers living in the gold panning sites. In view of the above, it is necessary to consider adequate solutions that can protect people from mercurial toxicity. To this end, particular attention would be focused on the scrupulous application of safety standards in relation to the handling of mercury in general and other toxic products in particular, the conduct to be followed during the incineration of gold-mercury amalgam, etc.

Variation of Hg content in low sulfur coals in relation to the coal-forming environment: a case study from Zhuji Coal Mine, Huainan Coalfield, North China

Twenty-nine low sulfur coal samples were selected to determine the magnitude and variability of mercury (Hg) content in a well-documented stratigraphy system including ten continuous coal seams in Zhuji Coal Mine, Huainan Coalfield, Anhui Province, North China. Mercury content of samples was measured on a direct mercury analyzer and confident results were obtained as evaluated by standard references, sample replicates and procedural blanks. The calculated overall mine average Hg content is 71.19 ± 9.28 ng/g based on seam averages and weighting by the estimated reserve of each coal seam. The estimated Hg emission potential for Huainan coalfield is obviously lower than that calculated from coal emission factor in industrial use. An increasing trend of Hg content with the evolution of depositional environment was observed from Nos. 3 to 11-2 coal seams. Combining the evidence of sedimentology and paleontology, a better understanding was gained of the mechanism of Hg sequestration in specific coal benches. A large portion of Hg residing in the low sulfur coals presumably integrated to the functional groups of organic constitution, whereas pyrite was generally abundant in the high sulfur coals.

Environmental Health Risk Assessment Due to Exposure to Mercury in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Area of Lebak District

In Indonesia it is estimated that there are around 250,000 artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) and generally use mercury for amalgamation process and then release it to the environment during gold refining process. This study aims to analyze mercury levels in the environment around ASGM in Lebaksitu Sub-District, Lebak District, Banten Province and identify hazardous exposure that may occur. The study design used was descriptive observational with Environmental Health Risk Assessment (EHRA) method. Environmental data taken include water and food samples. Social-demographic and dietary interviews were conducted. The study population was 72 residents of Lebaksitu Sub-District obtained through sample size formula and selected by simple random sampling. The study was conducted from April to May 2017. Exposure assessment is an important part of risk assessment. Exposure is a process that causes contact with environmental hazards such as risk agents, as a bridge connecting 'hazards' to 'risks'. Exposure analysis needs to consider all routes (inhalation, ingestion, absorption) and media (air, water, soil, food, drinking water) so that the total intake can be calculated. Exposure route analysis usually generate a critical pathway, the dominant exposure path. This pathway concerns which environmental media is the vehicle of risk agent and how it enters the body. Once a critical pathway is found, other possibility pathways contribution may be small and can be ignored. Mercury is a toxic pollutant that bioaccumulated and biomagnetic continuously through the food chain. The levels of mercury at the research sites on rice, fish, and vegetables have average of 0.027 mg/kg; 0.283 mg/kg; and 0.410 mg/kg. The calculation of risk assessment obtained value of risk quotient (RQ) of 3.79 (RQ>1). The results of this calculation of risk assessment showed that mercury content in samples of rice, fish, and vegetables originating from Lebaksitu Sub-District potentially cause a health risk for the community surrounding the gold mining area who consume it.

Database for content of mercury in Polish brown coal

Poland is rated among the countries with largest level of mercury emission in Europe. According to information provided by the National Centre for Balancing and Management of Emissions (KOBiZE) more than 10.5 tons of mercury and its compounds were emitted into the atmosphere in 2015 from the area of Poland. Within the scope of the BazaHg project lasting from 2014 to 2015 and co-financed from the National Centre of Research and Development (NCBiR) a database was set up with specification of mercury content in Polish hard steam coal, coking coal and brown coal (lignite) grades. With regard to domestic brown coal the database comprises information on coal grades from Brown Coal Mines of ‘Bełchatów’, ‘Adamów’, ‘Turów’ and ‘Sieniawa’. Currently the database contains 130 records with parameters of brown coal, where each record stands for technical analysis (content of moisture, ash and volatile particles), elemental analysis (CHNS), content of chlorine and mercury as well as net calorific value and combustion heat. Content of mercury in samples of brown coal grades under test ranged from 44 to 985 μg of Hg/kg with the average level of 345 μg of Hg/kg. The established database makes up a reliable and trustworthy source of information about content of mercury in Polish fossils. The foregoing details completed with information about consumption of coal by individual electric power stations and multiplied by appropriate emission coefficients may serve as the background to establish loads of mercury emitted into atmosphere from individual stations and by the entire sector of power engineering in total. It will also enable Polish central organizations and individual business entities to implement reasonable policy with respect of mercury emission into atmosphere.

Measuring low mercury content in furnace waste, with ALTEC's automatic atomic absorption spectrometer

Abstract This article presents the results of comparing mercury content measurements made with the AMA254 automatic atomic absorption spectrometer with measurements obtained using the CVAAS method in a different laboratory. The aim of the article is to show the potential of applying the AMA254 analyzer to measure low mercury content (including trace amounts) without the pre-treatment (mineralization) of the samples. Mercury, as one of the more toxic elements (according to Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry), which is present in hard coal, is the main cause of the problems resulting from the environmental pollution associated with hard coal combustion, as well as storing coal processing waste, such as extractive waste and combustion by-products including slag, ash, and slag-ash mixtures (CBP). Precise measurements of trace mercury content in extractive waste and combustion wastes (CBP) is very important in the context of the act on waste (2008 and 2013), BAT regulations 2016 and new BAT regulations (coming into force by 2021), which introduce more and more rigorous limits on mercury emission into the environment. The AMA254 analyzer performs analysis in a short period of time (approximately 5 min), enables repeatability, is intuitive to use and has very high accuracy and precision (the lower limit of quantification is 0.00001 μg Hg), is an ideal tool for measuring low mercury content in samples of both fuels and coal processing waste.

Mercury contamination in facial skin lightening creams and its health risks to user

This study aims to determine concentrations of mercury in facial skin lightening cream according to different price categories (category I: <RM29.99, category II: RM30.00-RM59.99, category III: RM60.00-RM99.99 and category IV: ≥RM100.00) and their potential health risks to users. Prices of skin lightening creams were determined during a preliminary market survey. Thereafter, twenty samples were purchased from various locations such as cosmetic stalls, beauty shops, pharmacies and street vendors based on their stratified price categories. Samples were extracted using microwave digester and analyzed using cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS). Non-carcinogenic chronic health risks for application of facial skin lightening cream were calculated using Dermal Absorption Dose (DAD) and Hazard Quotient (HQ). Concentrations of mercury in samples were less than the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) permitted trace levels (<1 ppm) except for one sample from category III which was manufactured in China. Concentrations of mercury in facial skin lightening creams ranged from not detected to 1.13 mg kg−1. There was no significant association between concentrations of mercury with price categories (p = 0.12). There was no significant non-carcinogenic health risk due to daily application of the facial skin lightening creams based on assumption of 30 years exposure period (HQ < 1).

Investigation of Heavy Metals in Feathers and Eggs of Female Larus genei from the Musa Estuary

In this study, the levels of heavy metals concentration (mercury, zinc, copper, cadmium and lead) were measured in the feathers, egg contents and eggshells of Larus genei from Musa Estuary. For this purpose, twenty eggs and fifteen Larus genei were collected at the locations during 2013. To do the process, after drying and digestion of samples, the concentration of mercury in samples was measured by cold vapor. In general, except for Pb, the level of whole metals in feathers was higher than egg contents and eggshells. The metal concentrations in feathers were according to the following order Zn> Hg > Cu > Pb> Cd, in egg contents were Zn> Cu > Hg > Pb> Cd and in eggshells were Pb > Zn > Cu > Cd > Hg. Also, comparing our results with the standard of World Health Organization, we found that mercury levels in in feathers and eggs of Larus genei were flying above mentioned standards. High accumulation of mercury in the feathers and eggs has likely originated from mercury sources such as petrochemical plants.

Contribution of atmospheric deposition to tissue concentrations of mercury in aquatic bryophytes

In this biomonitoring study, we measured the temporal variations in concentrations of mercury in samples of aquatic bryophytes from rivers in a region that received large inputs of the metal via atmospheric deposition. In the first year of sampling, the presence of an important source of atmospheric deposition of Hg (a lignite-fired power plant) led, during the rainy season, to elevated concentrations of the metal in catchments situated downwind of the prevailing winds. High concentrations of the metal were even detected in samples from apparently clean rivers in isolated mountain sites within the downwind catchments. Substitution of the type of fuel (high quality imported carbon instead of brown coal) used in the power plant greatly reduced Hg emissions in subsequent years. Application of spatial interpolation techniques to dense monitoring networks with aquatic bryophytes, without taking into consideration the catchment borders, appears suitable for studying extensive atmospheric pollution derived from a large scale source of contamination. This study also demonstrates the importance of environmental specimen banks in retrospective studies of contamination, as they enable posterior analysis of contaminants that for various reasons cannot be analyzed at the time of sampling.

KAJIAN RISIKO KESEHATAN MASYARAKAT AKIBAT PAJANAN MERKURI PADA PERTAMBANGAN EMAS RAKYAT DI KABUPATEN LEBAK, BANTEN

Indonesia has artisanal gold mining spreading throughout the archipelago, one of which is located in Lebak District of Banten Province. The artisanal gold mining usually use mercury in the amalgamation process. The latest fact showed that mercury used in artisanal gold minings has been directly discharged to the surrounding environment, polluting soil and rivers. Whereas mercury is considered as one of the hazardous and toxic waste (B3) that cannot be directly discharged to the environment as it can cause several health problems. The purpose of this research is to identify mercury concentrations in the environment of Cibeber and Bayah Sub Districts, Lebak District, Banten Province and its effect to the health of community who is in contact with the disposed mercury. This is an analytic descriptive research that uses a health risk assessment method and quantitative approach. This research reveals that mercury concentrations in samples of water, fish, vegetables, and soil taken from the surrounding environment in the research location have exceeded the quality standard which respectively average 0,04695 mg/l, 0,5175 mg/kg, 0,173 mg/kg, and 0,165 mg/kg. The health risk assessment shows that community lives surrounding the gold mining has potency to suffer related health problems as the RQ rate is higher than 1 (RQ = 18,5756).

Monitoring mercury environment pollution through bioaccumulation in meconium

In this study, bioaccumulation of mercury in humans was examined by performing analysis on 165 meconium samples of newborn children in Split and Dalmatian County. Total mercury determination was performed on the Advanced Mercury Analyser AMA 254 without previous sample preparation. Mercury was identified from all examined samples, where mean value of concentration for the whole studied group was 58.19ngg−1, median 35.69ngg−1 and concentration range from 3.04 to 394.69ngg−1, respectively. The analysis of the results showed correlation of mercury concentration in meconium with sociodemographic characteristics of the studied group such us living residence place, dietary habits and influence of amalgam fillings. The highest concentrations of mercury were observed in the group in which mothers consumed fish, particularly in the coastal living area. Slightly higher concentrations of mercury in samples were found in the urban living area compared to the rural residence. This was probably due to the strong effect of disposed mercury from the industrial plants into the environment of Split and Dalmatian County during last 50 years. The relation of sea food consumption and mercury content in meconium samples, confirms that food path is responsible for its bioaccumulation and biomagnification from the environment into the living organisms, particularly in humans.

Comparison of ICP-MS and direct mercury analyzer for the analysis of mercury in pharmaceuticals

Mercury (Hg) is a harmful heavy metal and non-essential element. Also Hg has bioaccumulating characteristics and is rated as one of the most hazardous heavy metals. It seems very toxic at only trace amount. But Hg is found at various foods and cosmetics as part of an ingredient by chance. Unintended contamination of Hg may be introduced in the products from raw materials and in the process of production and it may be trace level. This study compared the determination method for mercury by instruments (Hydra-IIC and ICP-MS). One method for mercury determination was by the Hydra-IIC direct mercury analyzer (Teledyne Leeman Labs, Hudson, NH, USA). The Hydra-IIC have fully automated operation and pre-treatment is unnecessary. The other was by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in the CCT mode after microwave digestion in closed pressurized vessel. Each method was validated for limit of detection, linearity, accuracy and precision before comparison. The linearity of analyzing mercury obtained by two methods were very satisfied, with a coefficient of determination (r2) higher than 0.99. The limit of detections was 0.2 ng/g sample for Hydra-IIC and 2.0 ng/g for ICP-MS. The accuracies for both methods were 80% ˜ 120% and precisions were lower than 20% relative standard deviation. The concentrations of mercury in samples detected by two methods were comparable.

A Preliminary Study on Mercury Pollution in Fish and Shellfish from Jiaozhou Bay in North of China

In order to understand the pollution status of mercury in fish and shellfish products from the Jiaozhou Bay and its health mercury risk for the population, a total of 86 samples for 13 kinds of seafood products from Shuangbu, Hongdao, Yinghai and Huangdao in Jiaozhou Bay were collected from April to May 2009. The mercury content in samples was determined by the method of cold atomic absorption method used F732-V mercury detector. The result of this experiment showed that the range of mercury contents in the collected fish and shellfish samples were 0.0044-0.4895 mg/kg. The mercury content in Psetta maxima had the highest value in all fish samples collected, and Clinocardium californiense had the highest mercury content in shellfish samples gathered. The fish and shellfish samples from Hongdao had the highest average mercury contents in all the four origin regions, and that in Huangdao had the lowest average mercury content. There were 16.67% of Ruditapes philippinarum samples over the national standard of China, and the data was 33.33%, 50%, and 50% for Clinocardium californiense, Psetta maxima, and Mylopharyngodon piceus, repectively. Population has a certain health risk for mercury exposure from the consumption of fish and shellfish in Jiaozhou Bay.

Paired determination and analysis of 303 mercury samples of cord blood, fetal hair, placenta and maternal scalp hair

Objective To determine mercury contents in pair in cord blood, fetal hair, placenta and maternal scalp hair, and to analyze the correlation among them and the effect of mercury exposure risk factors in the mercury contents of samples. Methods Puerperants in the hospital, who lived in the local area without history of major diseases during the whole pregnancy, were investigated by questionnaire composed to several health factors.Cord blood, fetal hair, placenta and maternal scalp hair of these puerperal and their neonates (polyembryony and birth defects excluded) were collected to determine mercury content in pairs. Results The mean mercury contents of cord blood, fetal hair, placenta and maternal scalp hair in 303 samples were 1.65 μg/kg, 234.58 μg/kg, 3.85 μg/kg, 497.62 μg/kg, respectively.Fifty percentile of them were 1.72 μg/kg, 252.24 μg/kg, 3.98 μg/kg, 508.88 μg/kg, respectively.There were direct correlations between mercury in cord blood and that in fetal hair, mercury in cord blood and that in placenta, mercury in cord blood and that in maternal scalp hair, mercury in fetal hair and that in placenta, mercury in fetal hair and that in maternal scalp hair, mercury in maternal scalp hair and that in placenta(all P<0.05). The mercury contents in cord blood, fetal hair and maternal scalp hair of those living nearby factories involved in mercury, higher intake fish during the pregnancy, firing coal and consumption of whiting cosmetics and smoking were determined as (2.24±0.20) μg/kg, (315.65±35.31) μg/kg and (663.53±71.83) μg/kg.The mercury in those without the high risk factors mentioned above were(1.62±0.16) μg/kg, (245.79±28.21) μg/kg and (499.39±47.72) μg/kg.There was a significant difference between 2 groups(all P<0.01). Conclusions In addition to control industrial pollution, pregnant women should avoid the above-mentioned high risk factors and pay more attention to health care during pregnancy.The mercury content in cord blood is highly correlated with the mercury in fetal hair, and that in placenta and in maternal scalp hair.The 2 kinds of detection both can achieve the purpose of monitoring mercury intrauterine exposure conditions. Key words: Cord blood; Foetal hair; Maternal scalp hair; Placenta; Mercury; Pregnancy; High risk factor

Speciation of mercury in mine waste: case study of abandoned and active gold mine sites at the Bibiani–Anwiaso–Bekwai area of South Western Ghana

Speciation determines toxicity, transport pathways and residence time of a metal in different compartments of the environment. This study investigated the speciation of mercury in soils, derived from sites known for dumping of mine wastes in the Bibiani-Anwiaso-Bekwai district, a gold mining community of the Western Region of Ghana. Soil samples were taken from the surface; depths of 20, 40 and 60 cm from mine waste at both abandoned and active mine sites. Each sample was analysed for total mercury, organic mercury and elemental mercury. After sample treatment, digestion and reduction with stannous chloride (SnCl(2)), total mercury content was determined using the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emissions Spectrometer (ICP-OES). Organic mercury content was determined employing a differential technique after disposing of elemental mercury by heating. Total mercury content in samples ranged from 0.067 to 0.876 mg/kg for surface soils. The same soil of depths 20, 40 and 60 cm had total mercury from 0.102 to 1.066, 0.037 to 4.037 and 0.191 to 4.998 mg/kg, respectively. For organic mercury, concentrations range from 0.012 to 0.260 mg/kg for surface soil. Soil depths of 20, 40 and 60 cm had organic mercury concentrations from 0.016 to 0.653, 0.041 to 1.093 and 0.101 to 2.546 mg/kg respectively. Elemental mercury concentrations in surface soils, soils at depths of 20, 40 and 60 cm ranged from 0.043 to 0.780; 0.017 to 0.749; 0.014 to 2.944 and 0.009 to 2.452 mg/kg respectively. Among the sites studied, only galamsey tailings (GM) showed a trend of increasing total mercury level with increasing depth. For the other sites, trends were not defined. There has been no defined trend for elemental mercury with depth at any of the sampling sites. Just as with total mercury, it was only GM that showed an increasing trend of organic mercury concentration with depth.