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Translocation of 203 Hg labelled HgCl 2 and CH 3 HgCl in an iron‐humus podzol studied by radio‐analytical techniques
Author(s) -
Schlüter Kai
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
zeitschrift für pflanzenernährung und bodenkunde
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1522-2624
pISSN - 0044-3263
DOI - 10.1002/jpln.1996.3581590218
Subject(s) - leaching (pedology) , mercury (programming language) , environmental chemistry , chemistry , humus , podzol , soil water , environmental science , soil science , computer science , programming language
Since increased Hg‐concentrations in fish in lakes and rivers in northern Europe, northern parts of the U.S.A. and Canada were found, environmental Hg research has focused intensively on the factors determining leaching of mercury from soil into water systems. This article presents the results of a leaching experiment with undisturbed soil columns treated with HgCI 2 and CH 3 HgCl using radio‐analytical techniques. The columns were irrigated with rain of different acidity, rain volumes and irrigation intensities. The leaching of mercury was traced by detecting the vertical distribution of 203 Hg in the soil profiles. Advantages and disadvantages of radioanalytical scanning techniques are discussed. The results of Hg leaching in the soil columns indicate a considerably stronger leaching of monomethyl mercury compared to inorganic mercury. Leaching of the two Hg‐species is ruled by competition of H + induced soil‐Hg desorption with DOM‐Hg complex formation; both being affected by rain acidity. Rain intensity had no visible effect on leaching of Hg 2+ and CH 3 Hg + . An extended rain duration increased the leaching of CH 3 Hg + .