Mercury Distribution and Speciation in Soils Affected by Historic Mercury Mining

Abstract

Vertical distribution and mercury speciation in soil profiles were studied to evaluate the extent of contamination and potential Hg mobility in a historical Hg mining area. The study indicated that HgS contamination in the vicinity of a former mining area occurs in most surface (Ah) soil horizons of the area, but contamination of mineral soil horizons appears to be limited to the sites downhill from the mine shaft.

Keywords

• mercury speciation
• thermo-desorption analysis
• forest soil
• contamination
• mining
• contamination (Czech Republic )