ISSN:
1432-0703
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The effects of different oxygen concentrations on the release of mercury from sediments and its subsequent accumulation by the plant,Ceratophyllum demersum, and the clam,Anodonta grandis, were investigated. Clams and plants were subjected to three treatments which were designated as control, treatment 1 and treatment 2. Two of the control replicates had normal oxygen concentrations (x=6.4–6.6 mg.L−1) while the third had reduced concentration (x=1.8 mg.L−1)- Oxygen concentrations in treatment 1 were reduced (¯x 1.3–2.0 mg.L−1) for all three replicates. The three replicates in treatment 2 had normal oxygen concentrations (x=6.7–7.2 mg.L−1). Mercury was added to the sediments in treatments 1 and 2. The resulting measured mean total mercury concentrations ((μg.g−1 dry weight) in the sediments of the replicates were 0.05–0.09 (controls), 4.42–7.28 (treatment 1) and 3.92–5.90 (treatment 2). The mercury concentration in water ranged between 0.10 μg.L−1 to 0.20 μg.L−1 for the six week period that the clams and plants were exposed to one of the three treatments. The total mercury concentrations in water were significantly lower in controls than in treatment 2. In plants, the mercury concentration was significantly higher in deoxygenated treatment 1 as compared to oxygenated treatment 2 and in controls. No significant difference in mercury concentration occurred between control and treatment 2 plants. Clams in treatments 1 and 2 contained significantly more mercury compared to the controls. Mercury concentrations in treatment 1 clams were also significantly higher than in treatment 2 clams. The mercury concentration in water, plants and clams was not significantly different in oxygenated and deoxygenated controls.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01056033
Permalink
