Distribution characteristics of total mercury and methylmercuryin the topsoil and dust of Xiamen, China
LIANG Ying , YUAN Dongxing , LU Min , GONG Zhenbin , LIU Xiyao , ZHANG Zhen
DOI:
Received December 04, 2008,Revised March 18, 2009, Accepted , Available online
Volume 21,2009,Pages 1400-1408
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The levels and distribution of mercury (Hg) species, including total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in the topsoil and
dust collected from twenty sampling stations located in di erent land function areas of Xiamen, China, were investigated. The THg
concentrations in topsoil ranged from 0.071 to 1.2 mg/kg, and in dust ranged from of 0.034 to 1.4 mg/kg. For stations where the THg
of dust was less than 0.31 mg/kg, THg concentrations in the topsoil were significantly correlated to those in the corresponding dust (r =
0.597, n = 16, P = 0.014). The MeHg concentrations in topsoil were varied between 0.14 and 5.7 g/kg. The ratios of MeHg/THg in the
topsoil ranged from 0.069% to 0.74%. The range of MeHg concentration in the dust were 0.092–2.3 g/kg. The ratios of MeHg/THg in
the dust were at the same level as those in the topsoil. The MeHg concentrations in both topsoil and dust were linked to corresponding
THg concentrations and soil organic matter. Neither THg nor MeHg concentration in the topsoil and dust was obviously linked to the
land function.
