Comparison of mercury bioaccumulation in eel (Anguilla anguilla) and roach(Rutilus rutilus) from river systems in East Anglia, UK - II. Sources of mercury to fish and the role of atmospheric deposition

Bulk deposition and soils were analysed for total mercury (T-Hg) from five sites in East Anglia, U.K., in order to evaluate atmospheric deposition as a source of Hg to the region, and to determine whether Hg in soils constitu tes a source of Hg to fish. Levels of Cr, Cu, Ni, Ph and Zn were also measu red in soils to determine the strength of association with Hg. Average merc ury concentrations in soils were 0.135 mg kg(-1) and were above the previou sly reported UK average of 0.098 mg kg(-1). All sites revealed an increasin g north to south gradient of anthropogenic heavy metal loading to surface s oils with enhanced loading for Hg, Cu, ph, and Zn at the River Y are locati on. Levels of T-Hg in hulk deposition displayed a similar gradient, averagi ng 89 ng l(-1) for the region, suggesting atmospheric deposition as a likel y source of Hg to soils and biota (fish) in East Anglia.