Hg in the hydrothermal fluids and gases in Baia di Levante, Vulcano, Italy

The importance of fluid and gaseous mercury (Hg) emissions from hydrothermal systems in the shallow, coastal ocean is poorly constrained. However, there are indicators that they could be a significant natural Hg source. We evaluated the hydrothermal Hg emissions around Vulcano Island, Aeolian Arc, Italy, which is host to a marine shallow-water hydrothermal system (MSWHS) in Baia di Levante. Fluids were collected with porewater probes, and gases were collected into Tedlar© bags. Total Hg (THg) concentrations in the hydrothermal fluids ranged from 2.9 to 2888 pM. The concentrations of volatile Hg were below 8 pM and trended positively with increasing temperature. Monomethyl Hg (MMHg) was not detected. Total Hg in the gases ranged from 0.03 to 1.82 μmol/m3.