Total mercury and methylmercury in soil, litter and plants from the Zonien (Soignes) forest near Brussels (Belgium)
1993
Muhaya, B.B.M. | Joiris, C.R. | Bossicart, M. (Vrije Univ., Brussel (Belgium). Lab. voor Ecotoxicologie) | Leermakers, M. | Deronde, L. | Baeyens, W.
Soil and plant litter samples were seasonally collected from the western part of the Zonien (Soignes) forest near Brussels (Belgium) in 1989 and 1990, and were analysed for total mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) content. Moss and plant leaves were also collected and analysed for total mercury content. Total mercury concentration was significantly higher in the upper (A) soil layer (0.4-2.4 microgram per gram dw) than in the underlaying (B) layer (0.06- 0.92 microgram per gram dw) due to higher organic matter content of the A layer. Soil organic matter content ranged from 7 to 59 per cent in the A layer and from 1 to 10 per cent in the B layer. Mercury concentration and organic matter content were significantly correlated in both A and B soil layers. There were a significant seasonal trend of mercury accumulation in the upper soil layer, with higher mercury concentration and higher organic matter content in autumn and winter than in spring and summer. This was probably due to increased dry and wet deposition from the atmosphere in autumn and winter, and/or increased volatilization in spring and summer. In litter, total mercury content ranged from 0.07 to 0.62 microgram per gram dw, and there were neither significant seasonal nor site effects on mercury concentration, nor a significant correlation between mercury concentration and organic matter contents.
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