Geologic cycle and environmental pollution of arsenic and mercury

Abstract

Groundwater and soil pollution of arsenic and mercury is reviewed in relation to the geologic cycle of these elements. The arsenic and mercury are transported into the crust, hydrosphere and atmosphere via magmatic and the following hydrothermal activities. Serious arsenic pollution occurred in the Quaternary sedimentary formations due to dissolution of volcanic ash and arsenic-bearing detrital minerals of magmatic and hydrothermal origins. As a volatile element, mercury emits along active faults. Mercury contamination of shallow groundwaters and soils is found on and near the boundary faults of Osaka Basin and the MTL at the south. The source of mercury would be deep fluid, such as Arima-type brine, since the contaminated areas coincide with the epicenters of deep low-frequency tremors.