Human influence on the Hg pollution in Lake Jinzai, Japan

A 3.6 m sediment profile from brackish Lake Jinzai in western Japan was studied for Hg and other trace metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr, and Co) in order to understand the level of Hg pollution in the lake which has no point source discharges of municipal or industrial pollutants. Possible sedimentation rate was established based on the activity of137Cs in the sediments. The relative increases in the metal concentration of sediments commenced at the beginning of this century while that of Fe and Cu started 150 years ago. The highest level of Hg (303 ng/g) was reported at the 50–55 cm level and Hg concentration in pre-industrial time was indicated in the deepest parts of the core. It was noted that significant contamination events had occurred in the mid 1950s and 1960s. In Lake Jinzai sediments, Hg appears to be associated mainly with Fe-oxides, hydrated iron or iron sulfides (Fe-phase) coated grains. The relationship among the geochemical variables revealed that Zn, Cu and Pb are seemingly associated with the Fe-phase and Cr, Co are mainly associated with the Mn-phase.