title: Mercury contamination of soil as the result of long-term phosphate fertilizer production.
abstract: This study was aimed at determining the range and spatial distribution of mercury in a geographical area influenced by the emissions of phosphate fertilizers industries in Rio Grande, Brazil. The case study demonstrated that mercury concentrations in a fine fraction of the surface soil close to the fertilizer factory reached levels as high as 800 microg kg(-1). Increased mercury concentrations were detected up to 60 cm below the soil surface. Further, a significant impact of the elevated mercury levels was manifested in a 1-km zone around the factory. Technical grade sulfuric acid employed in superphosphate production is considered the principal source of this mercury contamination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geosciences, Fundação Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, CP 474, Rio Grande, RS 96201-900, Brazil. dgeonmir@furg.br
authors.forename: Nicolai
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mirlean
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baisch
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Evgueni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shumilin
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005308:Fertilizers; D005843:Geography; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D010710:Phosphates; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D007220:Industrial Waste; D010710:Phosphates; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D008628:Mercury