Distribution of Mercury in the Environmental Components of Siberia
V. D. STRAKHOVENKO1,2,В В I. N. MALIKOVA1В В andВ В B. L. SHCHERBOV1
1 Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences,
Pr. Akademika Koptyuga 3, Novosibirsk 630090 (Russia)
strahova@igm.nsc.ru
2 Novosibirsk State University,
Ul. Pirogova 2, Novosibirsk 630090 (Russia)
Keywords: mercury, Siberia, continental lakes, bottom sediments, geochemical background, plants
Pages: 89–95
Abstract
Data on mercury concentration in various environmental components of Siberia are presented: for bottom sediments of continental lakes and in the soil of their water-collecting areas, in plants (moss, lichens, medicinal herbs, berries, mushrooms, needles) and in the litter of conifers. An increase in mercury content in the upper horizons of averaged sections of bottom sediments starting from the depth of about 15 cm was detected, which corresponds to the years 1960–1970. The dependence of mercury content on the degree of water mineralization and its mineral composition was not revealed. It was established that the concentrations of mercury in bottom sediments are determined by its concentration in the soil of water-collecting areas. The obtained results generally provide evidence of the favourable ecological status of the studied territories, while pollution with mercury has a local character. Coniferous litter, lichens and mushrooms can be used as indicators of pollution with mercury.
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