The objectives of this study were to investigate the difference and interaction of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) among fish species and tissues. In addition, by comparing with the detected concentrations in other regions, it would be possible to evaluate the pollution status. In the meanwhile, this study analyzed the edibility of the fish, the interaction between Hg and Se as well as their impacts on fish growth. Ten species of fish, including tenpounder (Elops machnata), fourlined terapon (Pelates quadrilineatus), whipfin silverbiddy (Gerres filamentosus), common ponyfish (Leiognathus equulus), Hamilton's thryssa (Thryssa hamiltonii), tilapia (Orechromis niloticus), western Pacific gizzard shad (Nematalosa come), large-scaled mullet (Liza macrolepis), flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus) and milkfish (Chanos chanos), and 20 sediment samples were collected from September to October of 2003 at the reservoir adjacent to a chlor-alkali plant, which had been abandoned for 22 years in Tainan City. Total mercury (THg) and organic mercury (OHg) concentrations were determined in fish muscles, livers, kidneys, gonads, gills and sediment samples. Besides, Se concentrations were also analyzed in fish muscles and livers. Concentrations (mg/kg dry wt.) of THg and OHg in sediment were 43.2¡Ó23.4(mean¡Ósd) and 0.013¡Ó0.008, respectively. THg, OHg and Se concentrations (mg/kg wet wt.) in fish muscles were 0.432¡Ó0.360, 0.305¡Ó0.206 and 0.126¡Ó0.030, similar to the concentrations in other chlor-alkali polluted regions. With the diet habit of Taiwanese, the Hg concentrations of muscles in the seven fish species exceeded the limit of Hg which was allowed to be consumed by humans. THg and OHg concentrations in the fish muscles showed significant species difference. Obviously, the concentrations in carnivorous fishes were higher than those in omnivorous and herbivorous fishes. The OHg concentrations of fish livers and kidneys were highest in carnivorous fishes, but the THg concentrations were higher in omnivorous fishes than in that of carnivorous and herbivorous fishes. Besides, Se concentrations in fish muscles and livers also showed significant species difference, but did not show relation with the feeding habit of fishes. The Hg levels among fish tissues were highest in livers or kidneys, followed by gonads and muscles, lowest in gills. Generally speaking, Se levels were higher in livers than in muscles. The liver THg concentrations of tilapia reached 10 mg/kg wet wt. Their muscle THg concentrations decreased suddenly and maintained at a level about 0.4 mg/kg wet wt. Meanwhile, the liver inorganic Hg and Se concentrations increased with fish weight, while the liver OHg concentrations did not show such a trend but stay at a low level. High Hg concentrations in the fish tissues resulted in adverse effects on fish health. High Hg concentrations in muscles and livers caused heptasomatic index to decrease in western Pacific gizzard shad and milkfish, and condition factor declined in tilipia. Moreover, gonasomatic index remained low while the Hg concentrations of muscles, livers and gonads reached a threshold, which suggested that the growth of those fishes was likely inhibited in Hg polluted environment.

Mercury is a naturally existing element. It could be transported into human body through food chain, and harm the central nervous system. This is the first study to analyze the concentrations of mercury in different kinds of food in Taiwan. The purpose of the study was to assess the mercury intake of total diet and the health risk. Moreover, the concentration of hair mercury was used to evaluate the body burden. The mercury concentrations in foods were determined by furnace-gold amalgation mercury analyzer. Nine kinds of foods, fish, nonfish seafood, meats, soybean products, eggs, dairy products, vegetables, fruits and cereals were included in the sample. A total of 118 food composites with 574 samples were collected from three largest cities in Taiwan during 2004 to 2006. Dietary information of 446 Taiwanese was collected by using semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Meanwhile, both diet information and hair sample of 355 Taiwanese that were collected. The mean mercury concentrations of nine kinds of food were significantly different (p < 0.05), ranging from 0.5 to 82.9 ng/g wet wt. The mean mercury concentrations was highest in fish, and sequentially decreased in nonfish seafood, eggs, meats, soybean products, vegetables, cereals, dairy products and fruit. All the mean mercury concentrations of foods were below the standard limits of Department of Health in Taiwan, FAO/WHO and European Commission. The dietary mercury intakes for vegetarian, general population lived in the city, fishing village, outlying islands and fishing workers were 0.16, 0.89, 1.22, 1.66 and 3.50 £gg/kg/week, respectively. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) among the five groups mentioned above. The highest mercury intake was found in the fishing workers. However, the mean mercury intakes for those five groups were still within the PTWI safe limit suggested by FAO/WHO, corresponding to 3 to 76% of PTWI. Fishes were the major source of mercury intake among nine kinds of foods for Taiwan population, corresponding to 42 to 77% of mean mercury intake. Mean concentrations of hair mercury of vegetarian, general population lived in the city, fishing village, outlying islands and fishing workers were 0.5¡Ó0.5¡B2.4¡Ó1.8¡B4.4¡Ó3.3¡B4.6¡Ó7.4 and 9.1¡Ó13.6 mg/kg respectively. Significant differences were found among the five groups (p < 0.05). The highest mercury concentration of hair was also found in the fishing workers corresponding to the result of diet intake. 2.3% of Taiwan population with hair mercury higher than the toxic level, 20 mg/kg, proposed by FAO/WHO. They were all fishing workers and outlying islanders. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the concentrations of hair mercury were significantly correlated with the frequency of fish consumption for the population lived in the city, fishing village, and fishing workers. The mercury concentrations of hair was also related with the age of people and the fish species. Aspects of nutrient balance and the health risk, consumption of small and medium-sized fish with mercury lower than 50 ng/g was recommended. No more than 150 g per week was acceptable for the people like to eat large-sized predatory fishes.

Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar as concentrações de mercúrio total (HgT) nos músculos de Orthopristis ruber de quatro ecossitemas costeiros e identificar possíveis correlações existentes entre comprimento, peso, sexo, estação do ano e índices biológicos. O HgT foi analisado nas regiões de Cabo Frio (CF, n=31), Baía de Guanabara (BG, n=61), Baía de Sepetiba (BS, n=43) e Baía da Ilha Grande (BIG, n=32), as quais apresentam diferentes níveis de degradação ambiental. A BG recebe grande quantidade de efluentes domésticos e industriais de toda região metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro e tem sido considerada como uma das áreas mais poluídas do Brasil. Já na BS, a intensa atividade metalúrgica no seu entorno faz com que esta possa ser tida com nível de degradação intermadiária, enquanto CF e BIG são duas áreas vistas como áreas bem preservadas. As concentrações de HgT foram determinadas através de CV-AAS (FIMS - 400,Perkin Elmer) - utilizando boridreto de sódio como agente redutor. Foi utilizado DORM 3 (National Research Council, Canada) como material de referência (média da recuperação DP =99,2 4,9 %). As concentrações médias de HgT DP para BIG e CF foram, respectivamente, 209,8 118,9 ng/g, e 199,9 88,2 ng/g. Estas regiões apresentaram concentrações significativamente mais elevadas, enquanto a BG mostrou concentrações intermediárias (112,9 88,0 ng/g; ANCOVA, p<0,03). Por outro lado, a BS foi a região com as menores concentrações de HgT (11,3 11,5 ng/g). Tais resultados sugerem que, mesmo sendo áreas degradadas, o HgT não está totalmente biodisponível para BG e BS. Ademais, provavelmente as correntes oceânicas são uma fonte de mercúrio para CF e BIG, carreando mercúrio biodisponível para essas áreas. Para BG análises adicionais foram feitas a fim de identificar a acumulação de HgT ao longo do desenvolvimento ontogenético de O. ruber, uma vez que as concentrações do metal foram maiores em adultos do que em juvenis (PERMANOVA, p< 0,0001). As concentrações de HgT foram positivamente relacionadas tanto com o comprimento (Spearman test; r = 0,85; p <0,001) quanto com o peso (Spearman test; r =0,85; p <0,001) dos peixes da BG, mostrando que o O.ruber acumula HgT ao longo da vida. Diferenças entre sexos foram encontradas apenas para os O. ruber da BIG, onde fêmeas (300 ng/g) apresentaram maiores concentrações de HgT que os machos (~150 ng/g). Dentre os índices biológicos analisados, o índice gonadossomático foi o de maior relevância devido sua correlação negativa entre os níveis de HgT com todos os dados em conjunto (p<0.001), tanto para fêmeas (p<0.001) quanto para machos (p<0.02), sugerindo que o mercúrio pode afetar negativamente a reprodução de O.ruber. / The purpose of this study was to investigate total mercury (THg) concentrations in the muscle of Orthopristis ruber from four tropical coastal ecosystems and in the process identify if there is any correlation between the length, weight, sex, season and biological fish indexes. THg were evaluated among Cabo Frio (CF, n=31), Guanabara Bay (GB, n=61), Sepetiba Bay (SB, n=43) and Ilha Grande Bay (IGB, n=32); which presents different environmental degradation levels. Guanabara Bay receives contaminant input from hundreds of industrial and domestic sources in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area and has been regarded as one of the most degraded area in Brazil. Intensive metallurgical activity takes place around the edges of SB leading this area to be at an intermediate degree of contamination. Both CF and IGB are considered well preserved areas. THg concentrations were determined by CV-AAS (FIMS - 400,Perkin Elmer) with sodium borohydride as a reducing agent, using DORM-3 (National Research Council, Canada) as the standard reference material (mean recovery SD =99,2 4,9 %).The mean THg SD measured concentrations was 209,8 118,9 ng/g, and 199,9 88,2 ng/g for IGB and CF respectively. Those two areas showed significantly high THg levels, while GB presented intermediate THg concentrations (112,9 88,0 ng/g; ANCOVA, p<0,03). In contrast, Sepetiba Bay had the lowest levels of HgT (11,3 11,5 ng/g). These results suggests that THg is not as biologically available for BG and BS, even if both areas are considered graded, and probably has an oceanic current source that carries that metal up until CF and BIG. These results suggest that THg is not as biologically available for BG and BS, even if both areas are considered graded. Moreover, in CF and BIG, there is most likely an oceanic current that carries this metal up these areas. In GB, additional analyses were assessed in order to trace the THg accumulation trend through the ontogenetic growth of O. ruber, as THg levels were higher in adults than in juvenile fishes (PERMANOVA, p< 0,0001). to promote an ontogenetic profile for THg concentrations in O. ruber, concluding, THg levels were higher in adults than in juvenile fishes (PERMANOVA, p< 0,0001). THg concentrations had a positive relationship between the length (Spearman test; r = 0,85; p <0,001) and weight (Spearman test; r =0,85; p <0,001) of the fish from GB, showing that O. ruber accumulates THg during its lifespan. Differences between sexes were only found for O. ruber in IGB, where females (300 ng/g) showed a higher average of THg than males (~150 ng/g). Among the biologicals indexes, the gonadosomatic index was the most important as it showed a negative and significant relation between THg levels for all data together (p<0.001) as for both female (p<0.001) and male (p<0.02), suggesting THg may affect O.ruber reproduction

Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar as concentrações de mercúrio total (HgT) nos músculos de Orthopristis ruber de quatro ecossitemas costeiros e identificar possíveis correlações existentes entre comprimento, peso, sexo, estação do ano e índices biológicos. O HgT foi analisado nas regiões de Cabo Frio (CF, n=31), Baía de Guanabara (BG, n=61), Baía de Sepetiba (BS, n=43) e Baía da Ilha Grande (BIG, n=32), as quais apresentam diferentes níveis de degradação ambiental. A BG recebe grande quantidade de efluentes domésticos e industriais de toda região metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro e tem sido considerada como uma das áreas mais poluídas do Brasil. Já na BS, a intensa atividade metalúrgica no seu entorno faz com que esta possa ser tida com nível de degradação intermadiária, enquanto CF e BIG são duas áreas vistas como áreas bem preservadas. As concentrações de HgT foram determinadas através de CV-AAS (FIMS - 400,Perkin Elmer) - utilizando boridreto de sódio como agente redutor. Foi utilizado DORM 3 (National Research Council, Canada) como material de referência (média da recuperação DP =99,2 4,9 %). As concentrações médias de HgT DP para BIG e CF foram, respectivamente, 209,8 118,9 ng/g, e 199,9 88,2 ng/g. Estas regiões apresentaram concentrações significativamente mais elevadas, enquanto a BG mostrou concentrações intermediárias (112,9 88,0 ng/g; ANCOVA, p<0,03). Por outro lado, a BS foi a região com as menores concentrações de HgT (11,3 11,5 ng/g). Tais resultados sugerem que, mesmo sendo áreas degradadas, o HgT não está totalmente biodisponível para BG e BS. Ademais, provavelmente as correntes oceânicas são uma fonte de mercúrio para CF e BIG, carreando mercúrio biodisponível para essas áreas. Para BG análises adicionais foram feitas a fim de identificar a acumulação de HgT ao longo do desenvolvimento ontogenético de O. ruber, uma vez que as concentrações do metal foram maiores em adultos do que em juvenis (PERMANOVA, p< 0,0001). As concentrações de HgT foram positivamente relacionadas tanto com o comprimento (Spearman test; r = 0,85; p <0,001) quanto com o peso (Spearman test; r =0,85; p <0,001) dos peixes da BG, mostrando que o O.ruber acumula HgT ao longo da vida. Diferenças entre sexos foram encontradas apenas para os O. ruber da BIG, onde fêmeas (300 ng/g) apresentaram maiores concentrações de HgT que os machos (~150 ng/g). Dentre os índices biológicos analisados, o índice gonadossomático foi o de maior relevância devido sua correlação negativa entre os níveis de HgT com todos os dados em conjunto (p<0.001), tanto para fêmeas (p<0.001) quanto para machos (p<0.02), sugerindo que o mercúrio pode afetar negativamente a reprodução de O.ruber. / The purpose of this study was to investigate total mercury (THg) concentrations in the muscle of Orthopristis ruber from four tropical coastal ecosystems and in the process identify if there is any correlation between the length, weight, sex, season and biological fish indexes. THg were evaluated among Cabo Frio (CF, n=31), Guanabara Bay (GB, n=61), Sepetiba Bay (SB, n=43) and Ilha Grande Bay (IGB, n=32); which presents different environmental degradation levels. Guanabara Bay receives contaminant input from hundreds of industrial and domestic sources in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area and has been regarded as one of the most degraded area in Brazil. Intensive metallurgical activity takes place around the edges of SB leading this area to be at an intermediate degree of contamination. Both CF and IGB are considered well preserved areas. THg concentrations were determined by CV-AAS (FIMS - 400,Perkin Elmer) with sodium borohydride as a reducing agent, using DORM-3 (National Research Council, Canada) as the standard reference material (mean recovery SD =99,2 4,9 %).The mean THg SD measured concentrations was 209,8 118,9 ng/g, and 199,9 88,2 ng/g for IGB and CF respectively. Those two areas showed significantly high THg levels, while GB presented intermediate THg concentrations (112,9 88,0 ng/g; ANCOVA, p<0,03). In contrast, Sepetiba Bay had the lowest levels of HgT (11,3 11,5 ng/g). These results suggests that THg is not as biologically available for BG and BS, even if both areas are considered graded, and probably has an oceanic current source that carries that metal up until CF and BIG. These results suggest that THg is not as biologically available for BG and BS, even if both areas are considered graded. Moreover, in CF and BIG, there is most likely an oceanic current that carries this metal up these areas. In GB, additional analyses were assessed in order to trace the THg accumulation trend through the ontogenetic growth of O. ruber, as THg levels were higher in adults than in juvenile fishes (PERMANOVA, p< 0,0001). to promote an ontogenetic profile for THg concentrations in O. ruber, concluding, THg levels were higher in adults than in juvenile fishes (PERMANOVA, p< 0,0001). THg concentrations had a positive relationship between the length (Spearman test; r = 0,85; p <0,001) and weight (Spearman test; r =0,85; p <0,001) of the fish from GB, showing that O. ruber accumulates THg during its lifespan. Differences between sexes were only found for O. ruber in IGB, where females (300 ng/g) showed a higher average of THg than males (~150 ng/g). Among the biologicals indexes, the gonadosomatic index was the most important as it showed a negative and significant relation between THg levels for all data together (p<0.001) as for both female (p<0.001) and male (p<0.02), suggesting THg may affect O.ruber reproduction

[pt] Neste estudo foram determinadas as concentrações de Se e Hg, no tecido hepático, muscular e renal, de 70 golfinhos de cinco espécies diferentes (Tursiops truncatus, Stenella frontalis, Steno bredanensis, Sotalia guianensis e Pontoporia blainvillei) e uma espécie de ave marinha (Sula leucogaster), encontrados mortos, durante os anos de 2001 e 2013, na Costa Centro-Norte fluminense. A fim de identificar o processo de bioacumulação e biomagnificação, foram determinadas as concentrações de Se e Hg no fígado e no músculo de cinco espécies de peixe (Trichiurus lepturus, Micropogonias furnieri, Mugil liza, Sardinella brasiliensis, Scomber japonicus) e um cefalópode (Loligo plei). Para auxiliar no estudo dos níveis de Se e Hg, também foram avaliados os valores dos isótopos estáveis Delta 13C e Delta 15N no músculo de todas as espécies envolvidas. As concentrações mais elevadas de mercúrio e selênio foram observadas no fígado dos golfinhos, que apresentaram valores entre 11,2 e 684 mg kg elevado a potência negativa 1 para o Hg e entre 10,2 e 111 mg kg elevado a potência negativa 1 para Se. No músculo foram observadas concentrações mais baixas de Se e Hg nos golfinhos, apresentando concentrações de Hg que variaram entre 1,8 a 9,8 mg kg elevado a potência negativa 1, e de Se que variaram entre 1,9 a 2,3 mg kg elevado a potência negativa 1. A concentração de Hg no rim variou de 1,5 a 22 mg kg elevado a potência negativa 1 e de Se entre 7,6 a 12 mg kg elevado a potência negativa 1 nos golfinhos. Entre as presas, as concentrações mais elevadas de Hg e Se foram observadas no fígado, o mercúrio variou entre 0,3 e 1,6 mg kg elevado a potência negativa 1 e o selênio entre 6,6 e 40,4 mg elevado a potência negativa 1. As concentrações de Hg muscular ficaram entre 0,45 e 0,046 mg kg elevado a potência negativa 1 e de Se muscular entre 2,3 e 1,4 mg kg elevado a potência negativa 1 nas presas. Os golfinhos apresentaram maior enriquecimento de nitrogênio com valores médios entre 14,0 e 17,5 por mil. Para os isótopos estáveis de carbono, os valores médios variaram entre menos 16,8 e menos 15,5 por mil nos cetáceos. A razão isotópica entre as presas varou entre 8,3 e 13,5 por mil para o Delta 15N e entre menos 18,3 a menos 11,9 para o Delta 13C. Foi observado poder de biomagnificação positivo para o mercúrio nas espécies S. guianenis (log [Hg] = menos 0,031 mais 0,195 asterisco Delta 15 N; r igual a 0,719; p menor 0,001) e S. frontalis (log [Hg] igual a menos 0,15 mais 0,21 asterisco Delta 15 N; r igual 0,68; p menor que 0,0001), sendo possível concluir que a biomagnificação do Hg é efetiva na região estudada. / [en] This study determined the concentrations of Se and Hg in the liver, muscle and kidney tissue, of 70 dolphins from five different species (Tursiops truncatus, Stenella frontalis, Steno bredanensis, Sotalia guianensis and Pontoporia blainvillei) and a species of seabird (Sula leucogaster), found dead during 2001 and 2013 on the North-Central Coast of the State of Rio de Janeiro. In order to identify the bioaccumulation and biomagnification processes, the concentrations of Se and Hg in the liver and muscle of five species of fish (Trichiurus lepturus, Micropogonias furnieri, Mugil liza, Sardinella brasiliensis, Scomber japonicus) and a cephalopods (Loligo plei) were determined. To assist in the study of Se and Hg, Delta 13 C and Delta 15 N stable isotopes in the muscle of all investigated were also evaluated species involved. The highest concentrations of mercury and selenium were observed in dolphin liver, which presented values between 11.2 and 684 mg kg elevated to negative power 1 for Hg and between 10.2 and 111.3 mg kg elevated to negative power 1 for Se. In muscle lower concentrations of Se and Hg were observed for these species, showing Hg concentrations ranging from 1.8 to 9.8 mg Kg elevated to negative power 1, while Se ranged from 1.9 to 2.3 mg kg elevated to negative power 1. Hg concentrations in the kidney varied from 1.5 to 22.0 mg kg elevated to negative power 1 and Se between 7.6 to 12.2 mg kg elevated to negative power 1 in dolphins. Among the prey, higher concentrations of Hg and Se were observed in liver, mercury varied from 0.28 to 1.6 mg kg elevated to negative power 1 and selenium between 6.6 and 40.4 mg kg elevated to negative power 1. Hg muscle concentrations were between 0.45 and 0.046 mg kg elevated to negative power 1 and muscle Se between 2.3 and 1.4 mg kg elevated to negative power 1 in the prey. Dolphins show higher nitrogen enrichment with mean values between 14.0 and 17.5 per thousand. For the stable carbon isotopes, the mean values ranged between less 16.8 and less 15.5 per thousand in cetaceans. The isotopic ratio of the prey ranged between 8.3 and 13.5 per thousand for Delta 15N and between less 18.3 and less 11.9 for Delta 13C. Positive biomagnification power was observed for mercury to species S. guianenis (log [Hg] equal less 0.031 more 0.195 asterisk Delta 15N; r equal 0.719; p less than 0.001) and S. frontalis (log [Hg] equal less 0.15 more 0.21 asterisk Delta 15N; r 10 equal 0.68; p less than 0.0001), and indicating that the biomagnification of Hg is effective in the region studied.

In this master thesis, during 2009, 2010 and 2011, has been done measurement of total content of mercury in ambient air and soil air in urban and rural locations agglomeration of České Budějovice. The goal was to develop suitable method in order to provide sampling of air to evaluate rate of contamination from chosen locations. The aquaristic compressor was used for admission of air, thus collected air could pass through external amalgamator, which secured pre-concentration of mercury from air. Consecutively, captured mercury has been determined in laboratory by atomic absorption spectrometer AMA-254. In urban background locations has been found total average concentration of mercury in rate 4,01 +/- 3,5 ng.m-3 and urban locations influenced by traffic in rate 29,5 +/- 50,07 ng.m-3. The concentration of mercury in soil air taken from filter bed of constructed wetland (CW) was 16 +/- 9,44 ng.m-3 with average mercury flux 14,5 +/- 8,3 ng.m-2.h-1. In rural compared location has been concentration of mercury in rate 15,4 +/- 7,83 ng.m-3 and mercury flux in soil air was 16 +/- 9,3 ng.m-2.h-1 at this location. Significant differences in contamination of mercury among partial locations have not been ascertained to the exception. The statutory limit for amount of mercury in atmosphere is 50 ng.m-3, whose value has not been mostly reached in any of measured locations. Thus, it has been proved that air contamination is low at selected locations.

The work is concerned with mercury appearance in forest and agricultural soils. There is description of process of specimens collection and treatment. The soil specimens were picked up in the selected habitats in South Bohemia. Among studied areas belongs: Lenora near Prachatice, Břehov near České Budějovice, Lužice near Netolice and Velký Chuchelec near Kaplice. There were collected specimens of forest soils, arable land soils, meadows and pastures. Total content of mercury in soils was determined out by the help of atomic absorbtion spectrometric method (CV-AAS) with technique generating cold vapor and gold trap preconcentration. Outcomes were compared with each other in terms of the farming way, locality and vegetation. The data were treated with statistical method ANOVA in programme STATISTICA CZ6. In forest soils there was found the most total content of mercury in the humic horizons in Lenora area on the Chlustov hill - east 0,574 {$\pm$} 0,042 mg.kg-1 dry matter. The least of all of the total content of mercury in forest soils was measured in the second mineral A2 horizon in Břehov area 0,017 {$\pm$} 0,001 mg.kg -1 dry matter. In the agricultural soils there was found the most total quantity of mercury in Lužice area in meadow soil in taking depth into 15 cm 0,088 {$\pm$} 0,007 mg.kg -1 dry matter. On the contrary for at least of total content of mercury was measured out in locality Lužice in arable land in taking depth into 40 cm 0,012 {$\pm$} 0,0001 mg.kg -1 of dry matter. Submission working hypothesis about the influence of land management have the best statistically significantly proved in locality Lužice and Velky Chuchelec. From the results is evident that the way of the use has affect on content of the total content mercury in soil. But there are some other factors which have influence on the mercury content. In the forest soils there was proved statistically relevant effect of sort and age vegetation on the mercury total contant in soils.