engleski

Closed chloralkaline plant as Hg-pollution source in Kaštela Bay, Adriatic Sea (Croatia)

Present work is a continuation of our earlier studies of mercury pollution in Kaštela Bay [1, 2], in which papers are experimental methods described in details. Concentrations of gaseous mercury 2.1 &#8211; 9.6 &#956; gm-3 were measured within the closed chloralkaline factory in which there are neither windows nor doors. Thus the chloralkaline plant still presents a hazardous source of mercury. The concentrations measured in air about 1000 m in diameter from the pollution source were 0.015 &#8211; 0.400 &#956; gm-3. Along atmospheric &#8220; lifetime&#8221; of an elemental gaseous mercury, as well as its easy transport to remote areas could present a serious problem. In vicinity is the town of Split and also Jadro River, which is a drinking water supply for Split. Polluted Kaštela Bay and Jadro River are presented in Figure 1. The aim of the work was to measure concentrations of total mercury in soil around the pollution source in the PVC factory and find out which direction was pollution distributed. From 40 soil samples taken in all directions around the pollution source it was concluded that mercury was transported from Kaštel Sućurac towards the upper part of Kaštel Gomilica in NW direction, what corresponds to the direction of Jugo wind. Concentrations of Hg in soil toward north and east from the factory are <0.2 &#956; gm-3 at the distance of 600 m. It is significant that Hg-pollution did not influence the source of Jadro River. It is a drinking water supply for the town of Split and the river flows into the eastern part of polluted Kaštela Bay. The concentrations of total mercury and of methyl-mercury were measured in three locations, both in sediments and in water. With respect to mercury, Jadro presents clean environment, what is a significant conclusion.

Mercury; Pollution; Adriatic Sea

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