Abstract
Improved determination methods for very low Hg concentrations in sea water using cold vapor AAS with pre-enrichment and purification on gold as well as a new sampling system (‘MERCOS’ PTFE water samplers) have been applied to extensive investigations for reactive and total Hg levels. The first research cruises concentrated on the southwestern Baltic Sea. Concentrations found in the surface water were around 2 ng L−1 Since 1979, Hg has been regularly monitored in the German Bight of the North Sea as a part of German and international monitoring programs. Two investigations have been performed in the lower course of the river Elbe, from Hamburg to the sea. Results show that the Elbe is the predominant ‘point source’ for Hg in the German Bight. In a large multidisciplinary research project ‘ZISCH’, a closely spaced station network has been sampled twice, in 1986 and 1987, to survey the entire North Sea, i.a. for Hg. Over most of the area, the median of Hg values in the surface water was 0.5 ng L−1; in a distinct field, however, extremely high levels were found, of more than 200 ng L−1.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brügmann, L.: 1986, Rapp. P.-v. Réun. Cons. int. Explor. Mer 186, 329.
DHI: 1981, ‘Jahresbericht 1980’, Deutsches Hydrographisches Institut, Hamburg.
DHI: 1982 ff., ‘überwachung des Meeres. Bericht für das Jahr 1980 ff.’, Deutsches Hydrographisches Institut, Hamburg.
Freimann, P. and Schmidt, D.: 1982, Fresenius' Z. Anal. Chem. 313, 200.
Freimann, P., Schmidt, D., and Schomaker, K.: 1983, Marine Chem. 14, 43.
Kersten, M., Dicke, M., Kriews, M., Naumann, L., Schmidt, D., Schulz, M., Schwikowski, M., Steiger, M.: 1988, ‘Distribution and Fate of Heavy Metals in the North Sea’, in: W. Salomons, B. L., Bayne, E. K., Duursma, U., Förstner (eds.), Pollution of the North Sea. An Assessment, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York etc., pp. 300–347.
Schmidt, D.: 1988, ‘Trace Metal Distributions in Sea Water: Two Surveys Covering the Entire North Sea’, International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, C.M. 1988/E:35, 14 p.
Schmidt, D.: 1990, ‘Gradients of Trace Heavy Metal Concentrations in the Elbe Estuary’, in: W. Michaelis (ed.), Estuarine Water Quality Management. Monitoring, Modelling, and Research, Coastal and Estuarine Studies, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York etc., pp. 443–448.
Schmidt, D. and Dicke, M.: 1987, ‘Trace Determination of Mercury in the Water Column: Two Surveys Covering the Entire North Sea’, Proceedings, International Conference Heavy Metals in the Environment, New Orleans, Sept. 1987, Vol. 2, 315–317, Edinburgh.
Schmidt, D. and Dicke, M., 1990, ‘Schwermetalle im Wasser’, in: J. L. Lozán, W. Lenz, E. Rachor, B. Watermann, H. von Westernhagen [Hrsg], Warnsignale aus der Nordsee. Wissenschaftliche Fakten, Verlag Paul Parey, Berlin und Hamburg, pp. 30–41.
Schmidt, D. and Freimann, P.: 1984, Fresenius' Z. Anal. Chem. 317, 385.
Schmidt, D., Freimann, P., and Zehle, H.: 1986, Rapp. P.-v.Réun. Cons. int. Explor. Mer. 186, 321.
Schmidt, D. and Wendlandt, U.: 1987, ‘Spurenbestimmung von Quecksilber im Meerwasser der Nordsee’, in 4. Kolloquium Atomspektrometrische Spurenanalytik, Konstanz, April 1987, B. Welz [Hsg.], überlingen, pp. 617–628.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schmidt, D. Mercury in Baltic and North Sea waters. Water Air Soil Pollut 62, 43–55 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00478452
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00478452