Mercury cycling between water column and upper sediments in a contaminated area (Largo do Laranjo, Aveiro, Portugal)
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The fate and reactivity of anthropogenic mercury in aquatic environment is of major concern owing
to its toxicity to most organisms and man. In Ria de Aveiro, a chloralkali plant has been
discharging mercury during decades into one of the remotest branches. Most of the discharged
mercury settles down in Largo do Laranjo, an inner bay of 1.5 km'. Since 80's, several works have
identified high mercury concentrations in sediments, suspended particulate matter and water [I, 2,
3]. The highest concentrations of mercury (max. 35 Og g") were found in sediments at 40 cm
depth, corresponding to the period of maximum industrial production [2]. However, there is an
escape of particulate mercury when surface sediments are resuspended and transported by the tide
to the rest of the lagoon [4].
