Environmental pathways and distribution pattern of total mercury among soils and groundwater matrices around an integrated steel plant in India

Abstract

Coal burning in steel industries is chief source of Hg presence in surrounding environment. This study focused on spatial distribution of total Hg content in soils and ground water matrices along with its temporal variation within a decade around an integrated steel plant; plant, Bhilai, India. All collected samples of soils and ground water were analyzed for total Hg content using Inductive coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer (ICPAES). Highest annual average Hg content found in soils (16.58+5.32 ppm) and ground water (0.44+0.12 ppm) has shown 4-5 fold higher concentration compared to background levels. Similar pattern of spatial distribution and seasonal trends of soil and ground water Hg has been obtained. Regression analysis has shown that significant contribution of Hg from air matrix to soils and ground water was occurred. Significant temporal variation has also been occurred.