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Sediment Profile and Fluxes of Mercury and Methyl Mercury in Weihe Watershed in Henan, China

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Abstract

Sediment core samples were collected from the Weihe River in February and August 2013. Cores were sectioned and analyzed for total Hg (THg) and methyl mercury (MeHg). THg in sediment cores ranged from 156 to 282 ng g−1 in February, and from 172 to 300 ng g−1 in August. MeHg concentrations ranged from 0.80 to 3.11 ng g−1 in both seasons. Results showed that the diffusive fluxes were up to two orders of magnitude lower than the in situ benthic fluxes. Fluxes of MeHg measured in in situ experiments in August were positively correlated with \( {\text{SO}}_{4}^{2 - } \) (r = 0.930). THg and MeHg release were not strongly correlated with TOC in February. Patterns of MeHg flux differed greatly depending on oxidation–reduction potential (Eh) (r > 0.70) conditions in the two seasons.

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Acknowledgments

This study is supported by National Nature Science Foundation of China (Project No. 41101473). Key scientific and technological projects of Henan Province (112102310442).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Center of Environment Pollution Control and Restoration, Zhengzhou Institute of Aeronautical Industry Management, Zhengzhou, 450015, China

    Qingzhao Li, Lingyan Jiang & Xu Luo

  2. College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China

    Dingyong Wang

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  1. Qingzhao Li
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  2. Lingyan Jiang
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  3. Dingyong Wang
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  4. Xu Luo
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Correspondence to Qingzhao Li.

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Li, Q., Jiang, L., Wang, D. et al. Sediment Profile and Fluxes of Mercury and Methyl Mercury in Weihe Watershed in Henan, China. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 95, 51–55 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-015-1549-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-015-1549-x

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