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Ma T, Perrot V, Baeyens W, Li G, Lievens S, Ngo HTT, Nguyen TTT, Leermakers M, Gao Y. Mercury distribution, mobilization and bioavailability in polluted sediments of Scheldt Estuary and Belgian Coastal Zone. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133209. [PMID: 38101023 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the vertical distribution of mercury (Hg) in estuarine and marine sediment porewaters and solid phases was assessed by conventional and passive sampling techniques in the historically polluted Scheldt Estuary and Belgian Coastal Zone (BCZ). The Diffusive Gradients in Thin-films (DGT) measured labile Hg concentrations (HgLA) were mostly lower than the porewater Hg concentrations (HgPW), and they also presented different vertical distribution patterns. Still high Hg concentrations in the sediment solid phases, comparable to the historical ones, were observed. Even though pH, redox potential and dissolved sulfide concentration could influence the Hg biogeochemical behaviour, organic matter (OM) played a key role in governing Hg mobilization from sediment solid phase to porewater and in its partitioning between porewater and solid phase over depth. In the marine sediments, where OM had a marine signature, higher labile Hg concentrations in the porewater and faster resupply from the solid phase were observed. The DGT technique showed significant potential not only for the measurement of bioavailable Hg fractions in porewater, but also for the assessment of kinetic parameters governing the release of labile Hg species from the solid phase with the assistance of the DGT Induced Fluxes in Sediments (DIFS) model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhui Ma
- Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vincent Perrot
- Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Willy Baeyens
- Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Guanlei Li
- Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sybrien Lievens
- Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Huong Thi Thuy Ngo
- Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology Lab, Faculty of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Phenikaa University, Yen Nghia Ward - Ha Dong District, 12116 Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thao Thi Thanh Nguyen
- Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, 67 Chien Thang, Van Quan, Ha Dong District, 12109 Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Martine Leermakers
- Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yue Gao
- Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
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