Occurrence and speciation of arsenic and mercury in estuarine sediments affected by mining activities (Asturias, northern Spain). (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Garcia-Ordiales, Efrén; Covelli, Stefano; Rico, Jose Manuel; Roqueñí, Nieves; Fontolan, Giorgio; Flor-Blanco, German; Cienfuegos, Pablo; Loredo, Jorge
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 198(2018)
• Page Start: 281
• Page End: 289
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: Mercury -- Arsenic -- Sediments -- Estuary -- Speciation -- Mining; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.01.146
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Sediments contaminated by Hg and As from two historical mining areas have been deposited in the Nalón estuary (Asturias, northern Spain) since 1850. Total mercury (Hgtotal ) concentrations in the sediments range from 0.20 μg g −1 to 1.33 μg g −1, most of it in the form of sulphides. Concentrations of methylmercury (303.20–865.40 pg g −1 ) are up to two orders of magnitude lower than the concentration of Hgtotal . Total As concentration (Astotal ) is enriched compared to the background level for the area. The relative abundance of As(V) on As(III) in the sediments ranges from 97.6% to 100%, whereas inorganic Hg accounts for more than 99% of the total Hg. The occurrence of the most toxic species, inorganic As(III) and organic methylmercury, seem to be related to redox conditions together with the amounts of sulphur which act as natural barriers which inhibit the biological and chemical speciation processes. Despite the high amounts of Hg and As present in the sediments, their transference to the water column appear to be limited thus converting sediments in an effective sink of both elements. Special attention should be paid to potential variations of the environmental conditions which might increase the element mobility and exchange between sediments and the water column. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Dispersion and speciation of As and Hg in the Nalón estuary sediments were studied. As and Hg correlate with clay fraction, organic matter and sulphur. As speciation is governed by sediment redox conditions. Sulphur content seems to be a limiting factor for Hg speciation in sediments.