Sorbtion of nonvolatile forms of mercury onto soil and sediment particulates is the central process that determines the distribution of mercury compounds in the environment. This sorbtion process varies according to the organic matter content of the soil or sediment.
Inorganic mecury sorbed onto particulate material is not easily desorbed. This means that freshwater and marine sediments will be important storehouses for inorganic forms of mercury, and that leaching from soils will play a minor role in mercury transport.
Where the soils are rich in humus, surface runoff will be an important route moving mercury from soil to water.
There are processes that will release the sorbed mercury from particulates:
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