What affects the concentration of mercury contamination?

You can anticipate a decrease in contaminant concentration over time if the pollutant is naturally decomposing under aerobic conditions (oxygenation naturally occurs from air to surface water).

Another mechanism is bioaccumulation, in which aquatic organisms (like phytoplankton) absorb contaminants.

Because of bioaccumulation, the concentration of the contaminant in phytoplankton will be lower than that in zooplankton and fish.

There are additional methods that I have not covered here. For more information, go to the following website (Aquatic Ecology Lab, 2017):

Warm temperatures and nutrients may change the amount of mercury contaminated in lakes and reservoirs.

The concentration of mercury contamination can be affected by various factors, including:

1. Industrial Activities: Industrial processes such as coal combustion, mining, and manufacturing can release mercury into the environment, leading to increased contamination.

2. Atmospheric Deposition: Mercury emissions from sources like coal-fired power plants can travel long distances through the atmosphere before depositing onto land or water bodies, contributing to contamination.

3. Natural Sources: Volcanic eruptions, forest fires, and weathering of rocks containing mercury can release naturally occurring mercury into the environment.

4. Bioaccumulation: Mercury can accumulate in organisms through the food chain, with predators at the top of the food chain often having higher concentrations due to biomagnification.

5. Environmental Conditions: Factors such as pH, temperature, and organic matter content can influence the mobility and bioavailability of mercury in soil and water, affecting its concentration levels.

6. Human Activities: Activities such as mining, deforestation, and agricultural practices can disturb mercury-containing soil or sediment, leading to increased contamination.

7. Remediation Efforts: Efforts to remediate contaminated sites, such as dredging or capping, can temporarily release mercury into the environment or alter its concentration levels.