Transformation of sediment from mercury reservoir to potential mercury source in drought-stricken wetlands influenced by climate change
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the effects of climate change on mercury (Hg) mobilization in areas of the Büyük Menderes River (BMR) basin, where sediment is transitioning to soil or has the potential to do so. Fractionation studies using the European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction procedure yielded the following ranges: for sediment F1 nd-3.93%, F2 nd-9.81%, and F3 + F4 88.40–99.84%; for soil F1 nd-11.75%, F2 nd-25.86%, and F3 + F4 62.40–99.86%. The combined F1 + F2% fraction, which is easily released into the ecosystem and bioavailable to organisms, was found to be higher in soil areas (5.3%) than in sediment (3.1%). Although the fractional analysis indicates that a greater proportion of Hg is present in the less mobile F3 + F4 phases compared to F1 and F2, the sum of all fractions (∑F) and the total Hg concentration reveal that soil generally attains higher values than sediment. The mean Hg concentration (6.43 μgL −1 ) in water samples was higher than the WHO standard value, and high values were detected in plant samples and physicochemical parameters (except pH) in the soil ( p < 0.05). The mean contamination and ecological risk indices were also higher in the soil than in the sediment. In the human health risk assessment, the Hazard Index (HI) for both sediment and soil was determined to be <1. Based on the integration of different chemical and analytical approaches, it was concluded that Hg is more mobile and has higher bioavailability for living organisms in the soils of the BMR basin.
Source: Marine Pollution Bulletin
Institution: Muğla University
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,740
OpenAlex ID: W7156178428