Mercury and Silver Concentrations in Sediments from the Port of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 42; no. 5; pp. 415 - 418
• Main Authors: Carreón-Martı́nez, Lucı́a B., Angel Huerta-Diaz, Miguel, Nava-López, Carmen, Siqueiros-Valencia, Arturo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2001; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Baja California; Ensenada; Exact sciences and technology; Geologic Sediments - analysis; Humans; Iron - chemistry; mercury; Mercury - analysis; Mexico; Mexico, Baja California, Ensenada; Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; pyrite; Seawater; sediments; silver; Silver - analysis; Soil and sediments pollution; Sulfides - chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Central America; Mexico; Pacific Ocean; America; Mexico, Baja California; ISE, Mexico, Baja California, Ensenada; Mexico; silver; Ensenada; mercury; sediments; Baja California; Silver; Pollution; Harbor; Sediments; Mercury; Coastal zone; Heavy metal
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/S0025-326X(01)00050-9

The significance of pyrite as a reservoir for mercury and silver was evaluated in a sediment core from the port zone of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. Hg and Ag were preferentially associated with the pyrite fraction, showing values close to 15 times those measured in the hydrochloric acid fraction. Should sediment from the port zone be transferred to a high energy, oxic marine environment through dredging or other resuspension processes, negligible quantities of these metals would remain in the sediment while concentrations associated with the pyrite fraction could be liberated.