MERCURY IN PEAT AND ITS DRAINAGE WATERS IN EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA.
Mercury concentrations were measured in samples of peat and peatland drainage waters in both the western Pamlico-Albermarle Peninsula and Croatan National Forest of eastern North Carolina. Mercury concentrations were also measured in sediments, waters, and the benthic clam, Rangia cuneata, in the Pungo River which receives drainage from the former area. Total Hg concentrations measured ranged from 40 to 193 ng/g (dry weight) in peat, less than 2 to 20 ng/g dry weight in sediments, 25 to 32 ng/g wet weight in clams and less than 2 to 23 ng/L in water. Mercury in peat, sediments and water was largely associated with the strongly bound to organic matter which would restrict its biological availability to aquatic organisms. Peatland drainage appears to contribute slightly elevated Hg concentrations to receiving waters but these remain low. Refs.
