The attenuation of concentrations model: a new method for assessing mercury mobility in sediments

Quimica nova

Wasserman, Julio C.¹  Queiroz, Everaldo L.² 

[1] Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói;Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador

关键词: mercury;    mobility;    sediments.;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0100-40422004000100004

学科分类：化学（综合）

来源: Sociedade Brasileira de Quimica

【 摘 要 】

In this work we propose a new approach for the determination of the mobilityof mercury in sediments based on spatial distribution of concentrations. Wechose the Tainheiros Cove, located in the Todos os Santos Bay, Brazil, as thestudy area, for it has a history of mercury contamination due to a chloro-alkaliplant that was active during 12 years. Twenty-six surface sediment samples werecollected from the area and mercury concentrations were measured by cold vapouratomic absorption spectrophotometry. A contour map was constructed from theresults, indicating that mercury accumulated in a "hot spot" where concentrationsreach more than 1 µg g-1. The model is able to estimate mobilityof mercury in the sediments based on the distances between iso-concentrationcontours that determines an attenuation of concentrations factor. Values ofattenuation ranged between 0.0729 (East of the hot spot, indicating higher mobility)to 0.7727 (North of the hot spot, indicating lower mobility).

【 授权许可】

CC BY