Environmental geochemistry of an active Hg mine in Xunyang, Shaanxi Province, China

► We investigated mercury distribution in the environment of Xunyang Hg mine in China. ► We found Hg concentrations in air, soil, water, sediment were elevated. ► We showed rice was contaminated with both total Hg and MeHg. ► We showed Hg mining is the source of Hg contamination in the study area.