Geochronology of mercury distribution in the bottom sediments of Inkerman Bay (Sevastopol Bay)

Abstract

Geochronological reconstruction revealed the mercury pollution in the water area of Inkerman Bay between 2002 to 2021. Mercury concentrations in the profile of bottom sediments in this water area ranged from 99.0 to 264.1 μg·kg-1. The studies indicated that the largest mercury influx occurred in 2016 and 2017. The sorption saturation limit of the water area was not exceeded and amounted to 9.6% relative to the maximum value. The mercury deposition flux into the bottom sediments, which was calculated based on the geochronology of mercury distribution, was 0.6 kg·year^-1.