Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2008.04.019
Title (Primary) Optimization of a simple field method to determine mercury volatilization from soils - examples of 13 sites in floodplain ecosystems at the Elbe river (Germany)
Author Rinklebe, J.; During, A.; Overesch, M.; Wennrich, R.; Stärk, H.-J.; Mothes, S.; Neue, H.-U.
Source Titel Ecological Engineering
Year 2009
Department ANA; NSF; BOCHE
Volume 35
Issue 2
Page From 319
Page To 328
Language englisch
Keywords Total gaseous mercury (TGM); Mercury flux measurements; Air circulation system; Mercury emission; River Elbe; Mollic Fluvisols; Eutric Gleysols; Wetland soils
Abstract Mercury fluxes between soil and atmosphere have often been determined by using dynamic flux chambers and micrometeorological methods to assess ecological risks. However, both systems are complex, stationary, and expensive impeding measurements of Hg emissions at various field sites.The mobile, easy to handle, and cost-effective field method to determine total gaseous mercury (TGM), according to [Böhme, F., Rinklebe, J., Stärk, H.-J., Wennrich, R., Mothes, S., Neue, H.-U., 2005. A simple field method to determine mercury volatilisation from soils. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. (ESPR), 12: 133-135] creates a drop in air pressure that enhance the Hg emission. We optimized the sampling set-up using an air circulation system resulting in a continuous air flow over the soil surface. Thus, a drop in air pressure can be avoided and the detected TGM emissions are closer to reality. Additional benefits are an in-ground cylinder which inhibits lateral flow of gaseous mercury and the reduced size of the glass socket facilitating handling.To test the suitability of the optimized method, TGM emissions have been quantified on a set of Hg-contaminated riverine soils. Compared with non-polluted soils, mean Hg fluxes were strongly increased (between 138 and 711 ng m-2 h-1) and showed high spatial heterogeneity. Due to impacts of multiple environmental conditions that affect TGM emissions, no significant correlations have been found between Hg stocks in bulk soils and Hg fluxes.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=528
Rinklebe, J., During, A., Overesch, M., Wennrich, R., Stärk, H.-J., Mothes, S., Neue, H.-U. (2009):
Optimization of a simple field method to determine mercury volatilization from soils - examples of 13 sites in floodplain ecosystems at the Elbe river (Germany)
Ecol. Eng. 35 (2), 319 - 328 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2008.04.019