Review of Mercury Circulation Changes in the Coastal Zone of Southern Baltic Sea

Despite its undoubted usability, mercury (Hg) is the most toxic metal and one of the most toxic elements. The problem of mercury toxicity was only widely explored in the second half of the 20th century, following cases of fatal poisonings as a result of the consumption of contaminated fish and grains preserved with mercury compounds. According to HELCOM reports, Hg emission in the Baltic region at the beginning of the 21st century was lower than during the 1980s. In addition to mercury transformation, climate warming, particularly in the autumn-winter season, is another factor contributing to the changes in mercury circulation, especially in the area of land-sea contact. The increase in rainfall, particularly in the summer, is of particular importance for the marine environment. This is related to an increased inflow of Hg with wet precipitation, but the warm season is also favourable for intensive growth of sea organisms and, consequently, a faster accumulation of chemical substances, including toxic ones. As a result, the concentration of mercury in organism biomass increases