title: Mercury pollution in the lake sediments and catchment soils of anthropogenically-disturbed sites across England.
abstract: Sediment cores and soil samples were taken from nine lakes and their catchments across England with varying degrees of direct human disturbance. Mercury (Hg) analysis demonstrated a range of impacts, many from local sources, resulting from differing historical and contemporary site usage and management. Lakes located in industrially important areas showed clear evidence for early Hg pollution with concentrations in sediments reaching 400-1600 ng g-1prior to the mid-19th century. Control of inputs resulting from local management practices and a greater than 90% reduction in UK Hg emissions since 1970 were reflected by reduced Hg pollution in some lakes. However, having been a sink for Hg deposition for centuries, polluted catchment soils are now the major Hg source for most lakes and consequently recovery from reduced Hg deposition is being delayed.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Change Research Centre, University College London, Pearson Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK. Electronic address: handong.yang@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Handong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Environmental Change Research Centre, University College London, Pearson Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.affiliation: Environmental Change Research Centre, University College London, Pearson Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
authors.forename: Neil L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Rose
mesh_terms: D004739:England; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000032:analysis; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D060106:Lakes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008628:Mercury
keywords: Catchment inputs; Lake restoration; Mercury; Urban and suburban lakes