BENTHIC FLUXES MEASUREMENT OF MERCURY AND METHYLMERCURY IN PIALASSA BAIONA (RAVENNA, ITALY)

Authors

  • Stefano Covelli Department of Geosciences, University of Trieste, Trieste
  • Andrea Emili Department of Geosciences, University of Trieste, Trieste
  • Alessandro Acquavita Environ. Prot. Agency of Friuli Venezia Giulia (ARPA FVG), Palmanova
  • Enrico Dinelli Interdip. Center for Research on Environ. Sci. (CIRSA), University of Bologna, Bologna
  • Neža Koron Marine Biological Station, Na-tional Institute of Biology, Piran
  • Jadran Faganeli Marine Biological Station, Na-tional Institute of Biology, Piran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.2281-4485/3789

Keywords:

mercury, contamination, sediment, benthic fluxes, biogeochemical cycling

Abstract

Previous research on mercury (Hg) showed strong contamination of the Piallassa Baiona (P.B.) lagoon, near Ravenna. The lagoon received between 100 and 200 tons of Hg generated by an acetaldehyde factory in 1957-1977. In this study, the Hg cycling at the sediment-water interface in the P.B. lagoon was investigated by means of an in situ benthic chamber. The 8-h integrated flux of the methylated form was extremely low and estimated to be only 7% of the result obtained for a summer experiment performed in a similar Hg-contaminated environment (Grado lagoon). Conversely, the in situ flux of Hg accounted for a comparable amount to that observed in the Grado lagoon, although Hg contents in its sediments are almost 50% lower than in P.B. lagoon. Hg mobilization and sequestration in the system, limiting its bioavailability despite the high contents of metal buried in the bottom sediments, seem related to extremely anoxic conditions.

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Published

2010-04-19

How to Cite

Covelli, S., Emili, A., Acquavita, A., Dinelli, E., Koron, N., & Faganeli, J. (2010). BENTHIC FLUXES MEASUREMENT OF MERCURY AND METHYLMERCURY IN PIALASSA BAIONA (RAVENNA, ITALY). EQA - International Journal of Environmental Quality, 3(3), 33–40. https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.2281-4485/3789

Issue

Vol. 3 (2010)

Section

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Copyright (c) 2010 Stefano Covelli, Andrea Emili, Alessandro Acquavita, Enrico Dinelli, Neža Koron, Jadran Faganeli

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