Mercury transport between sediments and the overlying water of the St. Lawrence River area of concern near Cornwall, Ontario.

Contaminated sediments in the St. Lawrence River remain a difficult problem despite decreases in emissions. Here, sediment and pore water phases were analyzed for total mercury (THg) and methyl mercury (MeHg) and diffusion from the sediment to the overlying water was 17.

Sediment mercury dynamics and historical trends of mercury deposition in the St. Lawrence River area of concern near Cornwall, Ontario, Canada.

The St. Lawrence River near Cornwall, Ontario was designated an Area of Concern by the International Joint Commission in 1985. Sediments from this area have historically been contaminated with mercury (Hg), and although concentrations have decreased since the 1970s, they still remain high.