Concentration of Mercury and Other Heavy Metals in Central India
ppm
10
2
3
2
3
2
3
_
River
_
Pond
2
3
Fig. 4. Average concentration of Hg, T1, Ph, Cd in sediments. 1 = I B, 2 = TPP + CMB, 3 = 1MB
5.4
Sources
497
Central India is very rich in minerals (i.e. ore of iron, calcium, aluminium,
copper, tin, etc.) and coal. These materials, i.e. minerals and coal, are found to be
associated with heavy metals at trace levels and their burning, smelting,
exploitation, weathering and atmospheric deposition are the main sources of
contamination of the environment in this region (Table 6).
5.5
Comparison of Mercury Pollution
A very high concentration of Hg in river and sea basin sediments in
industrialized countries with a temperate climate like the USA or Europe was
reported (Rask and Metsaelae 1991; Wilken and Hintelmann 1991; Belkin and
Sparcke 1993; Stigliiani et al. 1993; Iskander and Vega Carrillo 1994; Colina et al.
1996; Downs 1996; Fabbri et al. 1996; Glass et al. 1996; Horvat et al. 1996; Ikingura
and Mutakyahwa 1996; Wiener et al. 1996). However, a very low concentration of
Hg at lower ppb levels in the surface water was detected. In tropical countries
like India, the reverse pollution trend was observed. The lake and river
sediments were found to be contaminated with a moderate amount of Hg (0.263.3 ppm), however, the surface water had a relatively high concentration of Hg in
the range of 1.4-17.1 ppb as in the southern part of the country (Ayyadurai et al.
1983).
ppm
10
2
3
2
3
2
3
_
River
_
Pond
2
3
Fig. 4. Average concentration of Hg, T1, Ph, Cd in sediments. 1 = I B, 2 = TPP + CMB, 3 = 1MB
5.4
Sources
497
Central India is very rich in minerals (i.e. ore of iron, calcium, aluminium,
copper, tin, etc.) and coal. These materials, i.e. minerals and coal, are found to be
associated with heavy metals at trace levels and their burning, smelting,
exploitation, weathering and atmospheric deposition are the main sources of
contamination of the environment in this region (Table 6).
5.5
Comparison of Mercury Pollution
A very high concentration of Hg in river and sea basin sediments in
industrialized countries with a temperate climate like the USA or Europe was
reported (Rask and Metsaelae 1991; Wilken and Hintelmann 1991; Belkin and
Sparcke 1993; Stigliiani et al. 1993; Iskander and Vega Carrillo 1994; Colina et al.
1996; Downs 1996; Fabbri et al. 1996; Glass et al. 1996; Horvat et al. 1996; Ikingura
and Mutakyahwa 1996; Wiener et al. 1996). However, a very low concentration of
Hg at lower ppb levels in the surface water was detected. In tropical countries
like India, the reverse pollution trend was observed. The lake and river
sediments were found to be contaminated with a moderate amount of Hg (0.263.3 ppm), however, the surface water had a relatively high concentration of Hg in
the range of 1.4-17.1 ppb as in the southern part of the country (Ayyadurai et al.
1983).