Dissolved radon and gaseous mercury in the Mediterranean seawater

Vertical profiles of radioactive radon gas (222Rn) and dissolved gaseous mercury (DGM) in seawater in the Mediterranean Basin have been measured. They were found in the range 1.7–19.3 Bq m−3 and 22–200 ng m−3, respectively, at the bottom and 2.0–20.0 Bq m−3 and 6–80 ng m−3, respectively, at the surface. Preliminary results indicate a positive correlation between concentrations of both gases at some locations, but not at others. Further analyses will be performed, after 226Ra contents in sediment and water have been determined, taking into account environmental parameters such as air and water temperatures, barometric pressure and water flow, in order to better interpret these profiles.