TY - JOUR
T1 - The spatial legacy of Australian mercury contamination in the sediment of the Molonglo River
AU - Stinton, Dylan
AU - Schneider, Larissa
AU - Beavis, Sara
AU - Stevenson, Janelle
AU - Maher, William
AU - Furman, Olha
AU - Haberle, Simon
AU - Zawadski, Atun
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - Mercury (Hg) contamination is an environmental concern as a by-product of legacy mining in Australia. Here we investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of Hg in the Molonglo River system in New South Wales, Australia, and assess the physical and chemical factors influencing that distribution. Mercury concentrations in sediment cores were measured in conjunction with Pb-210 and Cs-137 dating to establish historical contamination. This was done at the source mine site of Captains Flat, New South Wales, and the system's sink in Lake Burley Griffin, Australian Capital Territory. Additionally, surficial sediment Hg concentrations along the Molonglo River were analyzed to determine the spatial distribution of Hg. Analytical results showed the primary physical and chemical factors influencing Hg dispersion to be distance, total organic matter, and the presence of iron oxides and oxyhydroxides. The highest Hg concentrations were near the mine site at Captains Flat and decreased significantly with distance. Sediment core analyses in both Captains Flat and the lake showed reductions in Hg concentrations toward surficial sediment layers. It is suggested government-funded rehabilitation programs are playing a part in reducing the release of metal contamination.
AB - Mercury (Hg) contamination is an environmental concern as a by-product of legacy mining in Australia. Here we investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of Hg in the Molonglo River system in New South Wales, Australia, and assess the physical and chemical factors influencing that distribution. Mercury concentrations in sediment cores were measured in conjunction with Pb-210 and Cs-137 dating to establish historical contamination. This was done at the source mine site of Captains Flat, New South Wales, and the system's sink in Lake Burley Griffin, Australian Capital Territory. Additionally, surficial sediment Hg concentrations along the Molonglo River were analyzed to determine the spatial distribution of Hg. Analytical results showed the primary physical and chemical factors influencing Hg dispersion to be distance, total organic matter, and the presence of iron oxides and oxyhydroxides. The highest Hg concentrations were near the mine site at Captains Flat and decreased significantly with distance. Sediment core analyses in both Captains Flat and the lake showed reductions in Hg concentrations toward surficial sediment layers. It is suggested government-funded rehabilitation programs are playing a part in reducing the release of metal contamination.
U2 - 10.1525/elementa.440
DO - 10.1525/elementa.440
M3 - Article
VL - 8
SP - 1
EP - 16
JO - Elementa: science of the anthropocene
JF - Elementa: science of the anthropocene
IS - 44
ER -