| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4425279 | Environmental Pollution | 2011 | 9 Pages |
The median total mercury concentration in 898 UK rural topsoils, sampled between 1998 and 2008, was 0.095 μg g−1. Approximate adjustment for unreactive metal produced an estimate of 0.052 μg g−1 for reactive Hg. The highest concentrations were in the north and west, where organic-rich soils with low bulk densities dominate, but the spatial pattern was quite different if soil Hg pools (mg m−2) were considered, the highest values being near to the industrial north of England and London. Possible toxic effects of Hg were best evaluated by comparison with soil Critical Limits expressed as ratios of Hg to soil organic matter, or soil solution Hg2+ concentrations, estimated by chemical speciation modelling. Only a few percent of the rural UK soils showed exceedance, and this also applied to rural soils from the whole of Europe. UK urban and industrial soils had higher Hg concentrations and more cases of exceedance.
► Concentrations of Hg in rural soils are highest near to industrial areas and London. ► Mercury is strongly associated with soil organic matter. ► Only a few percent of UK rural soils have Hg levels higher than Critical Limits. ► Critical Limit exceedances are found for 15–30% of urban and industrial soils.
