Masan Bay, semi-enclosed by highly populated cities (Masan, Changwon, and Jinhae) and large industrial complexes (petrochemical, electrical, plastic, and metal industries), has been contaminated with heavy metals and organic pollutants. In the current study, we investigated the distribution and sources of Hg and methylmercury (MeHg) in sediment from Masan Bay, as well as the impact of sediment organic matter and acid-volatile sulfide on the MeHg fraction over the total Hg, as a proxy of MeHg production potential. Concentrations of Hg in the sediment ranged from 0.02 to 0.73 nmol g-1. The Hg input estimation showed that river water discharge is the prime input source of Hg into the bay. This agrees with the sediment Hg distribution, showing a gradual decrease from the inner bay sites toward the mouth of the bay. Concentrations of MeHg in sediment ranged from 0.19 to 1.88 pmol g-1. The MeHg flux estimation showed that the submarine groundwater discharge is the prime input source of MeHg. The comparisons with other urban/industrial coastal environments showed a positive linear relationship between MeHg and THg concentrations, indicating the relatively constant Hg methylation capacities of different coastal sediments. Percentage of MeHg for different coastal systems decreased as sediment OM increased. The solid-phase retention of inorganic Hg as a result of Hg binding by sediment organic matter seems to be a key-process to control Hg methylation potential in Masan Bay sediments.

Mercury and methylmercury in Masan Bay sediment: Impact of organic matter on methylation

246th National Meeting (2013)

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