Using of annual growth tree rings for reconstruction of changes in mercury content in the surrounding of a crematorium

The paper presents the evaluation of changes in mercury content in wood of Fagus sylvatica by tree ring analysis at site called Kremnička near the crematorium. Soil and wood samples were collected from beech with a focus on all the cardinal directions (N, S, SW, W, NW, SW, SE) in two circles (100 and 1000 meters) from the source of pollution (the crematorium). Wood samples were divided to annual growth rings (4th– 5th, 9th– 10th, 14th– 15th, 19th– 20th year) and analyzed with single-purpose atomic absorption spectrophotometer AMA – 254. Mercury concentrations in 1st circle (100 m from the crematorium) ranged from 0.0027 to 0.0279 mg.kg–1. At adistance of 1 000 m mercury levels ranged between 0.0028 and 0.0101 mg.kg–1. The highest concentration was measured at the west plot in 19th– 20th tree rings (it represents concentration 0.0279 mg.kg–1 in year 1992 and1993. Based on the observed results, we can conclude that the area around the crematorium is not contaminated by mercury.