Title:

Mercury Concentrations in the Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire

Mercury contamination in aquatic ecosystems poses significant challenges due to its persistence and bioaccumulative nature. Governed by biogeochemical processes, mercury (Hg) is transported via atmospheric and waterborne pathways, where it is deposited onto soil, vegetation, and water bodies. Historical industrial activities, including waste dumping in the early 1900s, alongside modern practices such as coal burning, contribute to elevated Hg levels in regions like the Squamscott River. This study utilized a direct Hg analysis technique to assess Hg concentrations in sediment samples from several locations in throughout the Great Bay Estuary. Results indicate elevated Hg levels, surpassing toxic thresholds set by Canadian Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines (ISQGs), particularly within the top 15cm of sediment cores. Storm surges, exacerbated by climate change, pose additional risks by mobilizing Hg-laden sediments into the water column, increasing bioavailability. Organic matter plays a crucial role in Hg dynamics, promoting the formation of methylmercury species, which are more toxic and bioaccumulative. Coring techniques reveal that lower surface Hg measurements mask higher concentrations beneath, highlighting the importance of comprehensive sampling approaches

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