Mercury Contamination of Sediments in the Anping Harbor, Taiwan

Abstract

This study was conducted using the data collected at the Anping Harbor, Taiwan to investigate and analyze mercury (Hg) contained in the sediments, and to evaluate the accumulation of Hg and the degree of its potential risk. The results show that samples collected at ten monitoring points contain 0.16–0.69 mg/kg of Hg with an average of 0.27±0.16 mg/kg. The spatial distribution of Hg reveals that the Hg concentration is relatively high in the Bamboo River mouth region, and gradually diminishes toward the harbor region. This indicates that upstream industrial and municipal wastewater discharges along the river bank are major sources of pollution. Results from the enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index analyses imply that the Bamboo River mouth sediments can be characterized as severe enrichment and moderate to strong accumulation of Hg, respectively. Results of potential ecological risk index indicate that the sediment has higher to serious ecological potential risk. The results can provide valuable information to developing future strategies for the management of river mouth and harbor.