Philippine Journal of Science
151 (3): 895-899, June 2022
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 29 Nov 2021

Mercury Concentration of the Soil Profiles
of the Abandoned Mercury Mine in Sta. Lourdes,
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines

Royette C. Posadas*, Alvin Angelo A. Salting, Joan Grace T. Yamas,
and Ernesto S. Patayon

Agroforestry Research, Development and Extension Center,
Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau, Tagum City 8100 Philippines

*Corresponding author: royette.posadas@gmail.com

 

[Download]
Posadas R et al. 2022. Mercury Concentration of the Soil Profiles of the Abandoned Mercury Mine in Sta. Lourdes,
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines. Philipp J Sci 151(3): 895–899. https://doi.org/10.56899/151.03.09

 

ABSTRACT

This study measured the total mercury (THg) concentration in Palawan Quicksilver Mines, Inc., Sta. Lourdes, Philippines. A relatively variable but higher mercury concentration was found in this mine site (23.40 and 250.00 mg-kg–1) than the background global mercury concentration for pristine soil (0.045–0.16 mg-kg–1). The O and A horizons contained the highest mercury concentration, where humic substances abound. The B horizon, composed mainly of clay material, had a mercury level ranging from 23.40–188.00 mg-kg–1. The soil profiles have a substantial amount of clay minerals that could hold a labile fraction of mercury, and infiltration into the groundwater was improbable. Revegetation could help improve soil structure stabilization and may help stabilize soil particles containing mercury from erosion or runoff.