Mercury speciation in surficial soils and implications for terrestrial species at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:37425

Smith, R D; Klingensmith, J S

Mercury toxicity to terrestrial wildlife is well documented in the literature. The more bioavailable form methylmercury (MeHg) is characterized by nervous system damage in mammals and birds. Because of the relative lack of information concerning the proportion of Hg:MeHg in surficial soils at contaminated sites, the more conservative assumption is often made of considering MeHg to be 100% of the mercury present. In ecological risk assessment, this assumption can lead to overestimates of hazard to species exposed to mercury contaminated soils through incidental ingestion during feeding, burrowing or preening. In a semi-arid climate such as Denver, Colorado, this estimation of the amount of MeHg in surficial soils seems especially unlikely. Estimates of risk to receptor species exposed to mercury in surficial soils at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal have been shown to be unacceptable based on a hazard index/hazard quotient (HI/HQ) approach. The mercury detected was assumed to be entirely MeHg. A limited soil sampling investigation was performed in order to determine Hg:MeHg and to better define hazard to receptor species. The results of this investigation are compared to literature values for the Hg:MeHg. This information may be used to modify the results of the risk assessment and provide more precise information for risk management and remediation decisions at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal.

• OSTI ID: 37425
• Report Number(s): CONF-9410273--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIRDS
COLORADO
CONTAMINATION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
LAND POLLUTION
MAMMALS
MERCURY
METHYLMERCURY
MILITARY FACILITIES
SENSITIVITY
SOILS
TOXICITY
WILD ANIMALS