MERCURY CONCENTRATION IN THE WATER, PARTICULATE MATTER, PLANKTON AND SEDIMENT OF THE ADRIATIC SEA

Mercury concentrations in waters, total suspended matter, plankton and sediments of the Adriatic Sea were determined by emission and absorption spectroscopy. The Adriatic Sea, part of the Mediterranean basin. is located between the eastern coast of Italy and the western coast of Yugoslavia and Albania. Concentrations of dissolved mercury range from 2.03 to 6.75 ng l-1, in total suspended matter from 0.09 to 15.35 ng l-1, in plankton from 0.02 to 0. 14-mu-g g-1 dry wt., and in sediments from 0.02 to 8.63-mu-g g-1 dry wt. The highest values of mercury were observed in the northern Adriatic. This area is characterized by very shallow waters (20-40 m) and elevated values of water turbidity (0.1-12.0 NU (Nephelometric Units)) caused by suspended particulate matter originating from sediment resuspension and from the contribution of the most important Italian rivers. The mercury levels decrease from north to south, where they reach values comparable with those of the other areas of the Mediterranean basin.