Sammanfattning

Emission from coal-fired power plants is one of the major anthropogenic sources of mercury (Hg) in the environment, because emitted Hg can be quickly deposited nearby the source, attention is paid to the effects of coal-burning facilities on levels of toxic methyl-mercury (MeHg) in biota near such sources. Since rice is an agricultural crop that can bio-accumulate MeHg, the potential effects of a large Hg emitting coal-fired power plant in Hunan Province, China on both inorganic Hg (Hg(II)) and MeHg distributions in rice was investigated. Relatively high MeHg (up to 3.8 mu g kg(-1)) and Hg(II) (up to 22 mu g kg(-1)) concentrations were observed in rice samples collected adjacent to the plant, suggesting a potential impact of Hg emission from the coal fired power plant on the accumulation of Hg in rice in the area. Concentrations of MeHg in rice were positively correlated with soil MeHg, soil S, and gaseous elemental Hg (GEM) in ambient air. Soil MeHg was the most important factor controlling MeHg concentrations in rice. The methylation of Hg in soils may be controlled by factors such as the chemical speciation of inorganic Hg, soil S, and ambient GEM. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nyckelord

Inorganic mercury; Methyl-mercury; Rice; Soil S; Coal-fired power plant

Publicerad i

Environmental Pollution
2017, Volym: 223, sidor: 11-18
Utgivare: ELSEVIER SCI LTD

SLU författare

• Bishop, Kevin

  • Institutionen för vatten och miljö, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    
  • Uppsala universitet

Globala målen

SDG12 Säkerställa hållbara konsumtions- och produktionsmönster


UKÄ forskningsämne

Geokemi


Publikationens identifierare

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.11.042

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/94159