Estimating distribution and retention of mercury in three different soils contaminated by emissions from chlor-alkali...

Mercury emissions from chlor-alkali plants have been past and present sources of soil contamination with Hg. Here we calculate net mercury (Hg) deposition to soils in the vicinity (100-1000-m downwind) of three-chlor alkali plants. Calculations were based on spatial distribution patterns of Hg concentrations in soils, which were extrapolated by kriging. Moreover, we investigated to what extent Hg deposition depends on the elevation of receptors and canopy throughfall. Mercury concentrations in soil exceed background values up to a factor of 56 and show enrichment factors between 2 and 5.8 calculated from the median Hg concentration. Net deposition rates range between 2356 and 8952 microg m(-2) year(-1), which is up to 224-fold the background values. Net deposition of Hg to soils at the three sites varies between 1.2 and 2.4% of total emitted Hg. Highest deposition rates were found at sites with extended elevated or forested areas. Here, Hg concentrations in soils increased by a factor of up to 7.3 in elevated (+180 m) forest areas compared to non-elevated grassland soils.