Speciation, distribution, and transport of mercury in contaminated soils from Descoberto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
This work describes an investigation of mercury contamination in an abandoned gold mining site in the rural area of Descoberto, Minas Gerais, Brazil, whose inhabitants have reported "silver balls" present in the soil. Different granulometric fractions of soil samples and sedimented material from rainwater retention tanks in this area were analyzed for total mercury, organic matter, and mercury speciation by thermodesorption/atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed mercury concentrations in the soils in the range of (0.0371-161) mg kg(-1), and the occurrence of Hg(0) oxidation. Some samples had concentrations as high as 90 mg kg(-1) with the majority as Hg(2+), which is important information in order to understand the biogeochemical behavior of mercury in contaminated sites and to apply the appropriate remediation technology. The retention boxes and tank samples showed that fine particles with high mercury content (3.3-90) mg kg(-1) are leached from the contaminated area, which reveals the need for efficient control of this material to prevent the contamination of stream waters. This study is an example that may be useful for other contaminated sites.
Federal University of Minas Gerais, ICEx, Chemistry Department, ICEx, Departamento de Química CEP, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627. 31270-901. Belo Horizonte. MG, Brazil.
Walter Alves
WA
Durão Júnior
Helena Eugênia Leonhardt
HE
Palmieri
Mauro Campos
MC
Trindade
Otávio Eurico
OE
de Aquino Branco
Carlos Alberto Carvalho
CA
Filho
Peter Marschall
PM
Fleming
José Bento Borba
JB
da Silva
Cláudia Carvalhinho
CC
Windmöller
D001938:Brazil; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D008628:Mercury