Mercury species in zooplankton, brine, and bottom sediments of Hyperhaline Lake Bolshoye Yarovoye (South of Western Siberia)
Gustaytis M. Maltsev A. Leonova G. Krivonogov S.
January 2026Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Environmental Earth Sciences
2026#85Issue 1
This study examines the distribution of mercury in the brine, plankton, and bottom sediments of Lake Bolshoye Yarovoye. In inorganic complexes, mercury predominantly occurs as HgCl₄²⁻ and Hg(SR)₂. Within pore waters, mercury is mainly present as MeHgSR–DOM rather than MeHgCl. The accumulation of mercury in bottom sediments results from the precipitation and dissolution of Fe and Mn oxides and oxyhydroxides. The geochemical behavior of mercury in sediments is influenced by various sulfur species, including S(VI), S(II), and pyrite, which can restrict the bioavailability of mercury and affect the formation of MeHg. A strong correlation is observed between the distribution of Hg–OM and S(II) within the upper 50 cm of the sediment column. Vertical migration of anthropogenic mercury within the sediment core has been detected, facilitated by the high water content. At a depth of 110–120 cm, a geochemical barrier is formed, representing a zone of active transformation of mercury species. A moderate level of mercury contamination was recorded in the bottom sediments and in the plankton Artemia salina within the impact zone of the “Altaikhimprom” plant.
Hyperhaline lake , Mercury , Mercury biogeochemistry , Mercury species , Methylmercury , Sulfur , Western siberia
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Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
Korkyt-Ata Kyzylorda University, Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan
Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy SB RAS
Korkyt-Ata Kyzylorda University
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026