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The Legacy of the Idrija Mine Twenty-Five Years after Closing: Is Mercury in the Water Column of the Gulf of Trieste Still an Environmental Issue?

Author

Listed:
  • Elena Pavoni

    (Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze, Università Degli Studi di Trieste, Via Weiss 2, 34128 Trieste, Italy)

  • Elisa Petranich

    (Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze, Università Degli Studi di Trieste, Via Weiss 2, 34128 Trieste, Italy)

  • Sergio Signore

    (Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mare Adriatico Orientale-Porto di Trieste, Via Karl Ludwig Von Bruck 3, 34144 Trieste, Italy)

  • Giorgio Fontolan

    (Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze, Università Degli Studi di Trieste, Via Weiss 2, 34128 Trieste, Italy)

  • Stefano Covelli

    (Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze, Università Degli Studi di Trieste, Via Weiss 2, 34128 Trieste, Italy)

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) contamination in the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea) due to mining activity in Idrija (Slovenia) still represents an issue of environmental concern. The Isonzo/Soča River’s freshwater inputs have been identified as the main source of Hg into the Gulf, especially following periods of medium-high discharge. This research aims to evaluate the occurrence and distribution of dissolved (DHg) and particulate (PHg) Hg along the water column in the northernmost sector of the Gulf, a shallow and sheltered embayment suitable for the accumulation of fine sediments. Sediment and water samples were collected under unperturbed and perturbed environmental conditions induced by natural and anthropogenic factors. Mercury in the sediments (0.77–6.39 µg g −1 ) and its relationship to grain size were found to be consistent with previous research focused on the entire Gulf, testifying to the common origin of the sediment. Results showed a notable variability of DHg (

Suggested Citation

  • Elena Pavoni & Elisa Petranich & Sergio Signore & Giorgio Fontolan & Stefano Covelli, 2021. "The Legacy of the Idrija Mine Twenty-Five Years after Closing: Is Mercury in the Water Column of the Gulf of Trieste Still an Environmental Issue?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10192-:d:645077
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