Background Geochemical Mercury in the Bottom Sediments of the Eastern Arctic

Layers accumulated in the pre-industrial period were selected using dated bottom sediment cores. They determine the mercury concentrations that are the geochemical background for the selected water basins. The variability of the mercury concentrations in the sediments of the inner shelf is low (20–30 μg/kg) and can be used as a basis for ecological assessment during the economic development of the Arctic regions.