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An Assessment of Mercury Contamination and the Relationship Between Environmental Variables and Mercury Concentrations in a Seasonal Wetland

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Abstract

A study was undertaken to assess the extent of mercury contamination in the water and sediment in a seasonal wetland, as well as to determine the relationship between environmental parameters and the distribution of the mercury contamination. Water and sediment samples were collected and analysed for methylmercury, inorganic mercury and other physical and chemical variables. One-way analysis of variance and homogeneity of variance were performed, and linear regression analysis was used to determine correlations between mercury and other environmental variables. The highest mercury concentrations were recorded at the sites located closest to the industrial complex. Methylmercury concentrations in the water and sediment were mostly higher during the low flow season, while inorganic mercury concentrations in the water and sediment were higher during the high flow and low flow seasons, respectively. Chromium, manganese, organic carbon and fine sediment particles were found to have significantly positive correlations with mercury concentrations in water and sediment. It was also found that the mercury concentrations decreased within a relatively short distance from the sites closer to the industrial complex to the sites further downstream.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following institutions: The Zoology Department as well as Spectrau (from the University of Johannesburg) for the use of their equipment and facilities and South African Synthetic Oil Limited (SASOL) for their funding, which made this study possible. Dr. Peter Ashton is thanked for reviewing this article.

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  1. CSIR, Natural Resources and the Environment, PO Box 395, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa

    LP de Klerk & AR de Klerk

  2. Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Science and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa

    V Wepener

  3. Centre for Aquatic Research, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006, South Africa

    LP de Klerk & AR de Klerk

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de Klerk, L., de Klerk, A. & Wepener, V. An Assessment of Mercury Contamination and the Relationship Between Environmental Variables and Mercury Concentrations in a Seasonal Wetland. Water Air Soil Pollut 224, 1547 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-013-1547-8

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