Mercury distribution in maritime sediment and its correlation with thePosidonia oceanicaprairie in a coastal area affected by a chlor‐alkali complex

Abstract

Mercury concentrations in marine sediment over a large coastal area located opposite a chlor‐alkali complex were measured. The values range from 0.12 μg/g to 6.48 μg/g, d.w. In the same area mercury levels in some organs of the marine phanerogam Posidonia oceanica were measured (leaves 0.022–0.075 μg/g, f.w.; rhizomes 0.033–0.235 μg/g, f.w.; roots 0.080–0.249 μg/g, f.w.). A distinct correlation between the mercury content of the sediment and that present in the different parts of the plant was observed, suggesting a possible use of Posidonia oceanica as a biological indicator.