Mercury Speciation and Microbial Transformations in Mine Wastes, Stream Sediments, and Surface Waters at the Almadén Mining District, Spain
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- 作者：John E. Gray ; Mark E. Hines ; Pablo L. Higueras ; Isaac Adatto ; and Brenda K. Lasorsa
- 刊名：Environmental Science & Technology
- 出版年：2004
- 出版时间：August 15, 2004
- 年：2004
- 卷：38
- 期：16
- 页码：4285 - 4292
- 全文大小：269K
- 年卷期：v.38,no.16(August 15, 2004)
- ISSN：1520-5851
文摘
Speciation of Hg and conversion to methyl-Hg wereevaluated in mine wastes, sediments, and water collectedfrom the Almadén District, Spain, the world's largest Hgproducing region. Our data for methyl-Hg, a neurotoxinhazardous to humans, are the first reported for sedimentand water from the Almadén area. Concentrations of Hg andmethyl-Hg in mine waste, sediment, and water fromAlmadén are among the highest found at Hg mines worldwide.Mine wastes from Almadén contain highly elevated Hgconcentrations, ranging from 160 to 34 000 
g/g, and methyl-Hg varies from <0.20 to 3100 ng/g. Isotopic tracermethods indicate that mine wastes at one site (Almadenejos)exhibit unusually high rates of Hg-methylation, whichcorrespond with mine wastes containing the highest methyl-Hg concentrations. Streamwater collected near theAlmadén mine is also contaminated, containing Hg ashigh as 13 000 ng/L and methyl-Hg as high as 30 ng/L;corresponding stream sediments contain Hg concentrationsas high as 2300 g/g and methyl-Hg concentrations ashigh as 82 ng/g. Several streamwaters contain Hgconcentrations in excess of the 1000 ng/L World HealthOrganization (WHO) drinking water standard. Methyl-Hg formation and degradation was rapid in mines wastesand stream sediments demonstrating the dynamic natureof Hg cycling. These data indicate substantial downstreamtransport of Hg from the Almadén mine and significantconversion to methyl-Hg in the surface environment.
g/g, and methyl-Hg varies from <0.20 to 3100 ng/g. Isotopic tracermethods indicate that mine wastes at one site (Almadenejos)exhibit unusually high rates of Hg-methylation, whichcorrespond with mine wastes containing the highest methyl-Hg concentrations. Streamwater collected near theAlmadén mine is also contaminated, containing Hg ashigh as 13 000 ng/L and methyl-Hg as high as 30 ng/L;corresponding stream sediments contain Hg concentrationsas high as 2300 g/g and methyl-Hg concentrations ashigh as 82 ng/g. Several streamwaters contain Hgconcentrations in excess of the 1000 ng/L World HealthOrganization (WHO) drinking water standard. Methyl-Hg formation and degradation was rapid in mines wastesand stream sediments demonstrating the dynamic natureof Hg cycling. These data indicate substantial downstreamtransport of Hg from the Almadén mine and significantconversion to methyl-Hg in the surface environment.