MERCURY CONCENTRATIONS IN A HISTORIC LEAD MINING AND SMELTING TOWN INTHE CZECH-REPUBLIC - A PILOT-STUDY

Thirty-one topsoils (0-5 cm) from Pribram, a smelting and mining town in the Czech Republic, have been analysed for mercury content by ICP-A ES. The aim of this preliminary survey waste determine whether a probl em may exist in this area regarding Hg contamination. The geometric me an Hg concentration recorded was 0.36 mu g g(-1) with a range of 0.07- 2.32 mu g g(-1). The maximum concentration aias recorded in the smelte r area of the town and a smaller peak was observed in the mining area. Topsoil Hg concentration was significantly correlated with distance f rom the smelter (P < 0.10) and with organic matter content of the soil (P < 0.01). The possible implications for Hg exposure are discussed.