DISTRIBUTION AND TRANSPORT PATTERNS OF HG IN CENTRAL INDIANA COUNTIES

This research objective is to understand distribution and transport patterns of Hg in central Indiana counties, particularly Marion County. River bank sediments were collected and concentrations of total Hg and organic matter were measured. The sites convey a snapshot view of the depositional history of the area soils as the sub-watershed carried sediments toward the river after atmospheric deposition. Distribution patterns were developed by characterizing the Hg content in sediments and assessing the impact of current anthropogenic Hg sources based on wind direction, hydrodynamics, Hg concentration, and location of Hg sources. The data, thus far, displays a positive correlation between local Hg sources, total concentration of Hg deposition, and distribution.