Guédron Stéphane auteur aut IRD Grangeon S. auteur aut IRD Jouravel G. auteur aut IRD Charlet L. auteur aut IRD Sarret G. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access This study focused on the fluxes of mercury (Hg) and mechanisms of incorporation into soils surrounding a chlor-alkali plant suspected to have emitted up to similar to 600 kg Hg year(-1) for decades into the atmosphere. Comparison of vertical Hg soil profiles with As, Cu, Ni and Zn (which were not emitted by the plant) support Hg enrichment in surface horizons due to atmospheric Hg inputs from the chlor-alkali plant. Based on chemical extractions and elemental correlations, Hg was found to be weakly leachable and bio-available for plants, and most probably strongly bound to organic matter. In contrast, other trace elements were probably associated with phyllosilicates, iron oxides or with primary minerals. Hg stocks in the surface horizon of a forested soil (1255 mg Hg m(-3)) were two-fold higher than in an agricultural soil (636 mg Hg m(-3)) at a similar distance to the plant. The difference was attributed to the interception of atmospheric Hg by the canopy (most likely gaseous elemental Hg and reactive gaseous Hg) and subsequent litterfall incorporation. Some differences in the ability to trap atmospheric Hg were observed between tree species. The characterization of the litter showed an increasing Hg concentration in the plant material proportional to their degradation stage. In agricultural soils, very low Hg concentrations found in corn leaves and grains suggested a limited uptake via both the foliar and root pathways. Thus, the short-term risk of Hg transfer to agricultural crops and higher levels of the trophic chain appeared limited. A possible risk which remains to be evaluated is the possible transfer of Hg-rich particles from the forest topsoil to downstream aquatic ecosystems during rain and snowmelt events. specialized Atmospheric mercury Hg Chlor-alkali Canopy uptake Soil Crop FRANCE 082 021 445 356-364 2013 0048-9697 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010060803 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.12.084 0048-9697 [F B010060803] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010060803 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2013/05/010060803.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2013-05-31 2017-08-23 fdi:010060803 fre