Distribution characteristics and influencing factors of Mercury (Hg) in the surface sediment of Yellow River Subaqueous Delta

CHE Xin-ying; LIU Ming; WANG Fei-yu; CHEN Jing-bo; SUN Xue-shi; FAN De-jiang

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China Environmental Science ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (5) : 2806-2815.

Distribution characteristics and influencing factors of Mercury (Hg) in the surface sediment of Yellow River Subaqueous Delta

CHE Xin-ying¹, LIU Ming^1,2, WANG Fei-yu¹, CHEN Jing-bo¹, SUN Xue-shi^1,2, FAN De-jiang^1,2

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Abstract

Based on the analysis of the material composition and mercury (Hg) content in the surface sediments of the Yellow River subaqueous delta, the distribution characteristics and influencing factors of Hg in the region were examined. The results showed that the Hg content in the surface sediments ranged from 15.09 to 53.11μg/kg, with an average content of 36.32μg/kg, which was relatively low compared to other domestic and international marine areas. The Hg content in the sediments exhibited a 'low-high-low-high' pattern from the shore to the sea, with peak concentrations observed at the shear front and in the fine-grained sediment areas offshore. Elevated Hg levels were also found in the sediments near Laizhou Bay in the southern region. Hg was primarily derived from natural sources but was also influenced by emissions from human activities. Hydrodynamic conditions played a crucial role in controlling the distribution of Hg, with a tendency for Hg to accumulate in fine-grained sediments. The 'filter' effect of the estuary, especially the shear front, significantly influenced the spatial distribution of Hg and its transport to the open sea. The distribution of Hg was also related to its carriers, such as organic carbon, carbonate minerals, and iron-manganese oxides. These carriers directly bound with Hg, affecting its distribution, and also influenced the properties of the sediments, thus indirectly influencing the distribution of Hg.

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influencing factors / Mercury / spatial distribution / Yellow River Subaqueous Delta

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CHE Xin-ying, LIU Ming, WANG Fei-yu, CHEN Jing-bo, SUN Xue-shi, FAN De-jiang. Distribution characteristics and influencing factors of Mercury (Hg) in the surface sediment of Yellow River Subaqueous Delta[J]. China Environmental Science. 2025, 45(5): 2806-2815

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