Hydrobiochemical balance of total mercury in a forest catchment area at former cinnabar mining locality

• Published in: Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics 2021-06, Vol.69 (2), p.209-219
• Main Authors: Mačejná, Ľudmila, Zacharová, Andrea, Ollerová, Hana, Škvareninová, Jana, Škvarenina, Jaroslav
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Body organs; Boreal ecosystems; Bulk precipitation; Catchment area; Catchment areas; Cinnabar mining; Deposition; Forest; Forest ecosystems; Forest floor; Forest protection; Forest soils; Forest watersheds; Forests; Litterfall; Mercury; Mining; Organs; Plant species; Soil; Soils; Throughfall; Total mercury; Wet deposition
• ISSN: 1338-4333; 0042-790X; 1338-4333
• DOI: 10.2478/johh-2021-0005

We studied the hydrobiochemical balance of total mercury (THg) in a forest ecosystem covering an area affected by mining activity in the past (14 – 18 cent.) in the Kremnické vrchy Mts. (central Slovakia). A reference plot was located in an undisturbed area very close to primeval forest of Badínsky prales natural reserve. We analysed THg in bulk precipitation, throughfall, litterfall, forest floor percolate, forest soil and assimilatory organs of tree species. Results pointed out to high wet mercury deposition at both plots (51 μg·m ·yr an area near a cinnabar mining (MP1) and 37 μg·m ·yr , in a reference catchment area near the protected primary forest (MP2)) as well as high THg deposition by throughfall (74 μg·m ·yr and 51 μg·m ·yr , respectively in MP1 and MP2). Litterfall does not represent the main THg flux into forest soil but together with throughfall doubles the THg input compared to open space deposition. Forest ecosystem has ability to capture atmospheric Hg and thus makes new sources of mercury inputs (throughfall and litterfall) into soil.