Mercury loads into the sea associated with extreme flood

• During the month length flood, 75% of annual mercury load reached the Baltic.
• Water temperature and oxygen content influence riverine transport of mercury.
• Mercury introduced into the sea by extreme flood traveled far from the mouth.
• Mercury in fine fraction of surface sediments stayed elevated for tens months.

Floods are an important factor determining riverine pollution loads, including toxic mercury (Hg). The impact of the Vistula River flood in 2010, which was the biggest one recorded in 160 years and its influence on marine environment was studied. Mercury concentration was analyzed in river and sea water, suspended matter, phytoplankton and sea surface sediment. Flood and gulf water contained several times higher concentration of Hg (exceeded reference values safe for aquatic organisms) than before or after the flood. In 2010 the Vistula introduced into the Baltic ca. 1576 kg of Hg, of which 75% can be attributed to the flood water. Increase of water temperature, decrease of oxygen content contended increasing of dissolved mercury concentration, which was transported far into the Baltic. This phenomenon led to an increase of Hg concentration in phytoplankton and during many months in surface sediments. It is a potential threat to marine organisms.