A Scientometric Analysis of Research on World Mercury (Hg) in Soil (1991-2020)

摘要

Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant affecting ecosystems and posing risks to wildlife and human health. Mercury in soil represents a major indicator of its availability to enter both the terrestrial (agriculture) and aquatic food chain (fish and seafood) and contaminate consumers. Therefore, interest in soil Hg concentrations is useful for environmental Hg monitoring and remediation of contamined areas. Thus, we use scientometrics to integrate worldwide studies of Hg in soil that were published between 1991 and 2020. We evaluated (i) how the global dynamics of publications on Hg is determined, (ii) the determining factors for the distribution of research concerning institutions and study topics, and (iii) identified gaps in research. Three main clusters of studies in soil were identified: (1) Hg pollution related to land use and urban soils, highlighting China, and Hg environmental risk to ecological systems; (2) highlight of the Amazon as an important study area, and the bioavailability of Hg in the soil associated with phytoremediation and its methylation; (3) mobilization, speciation, and the relationship of Hg with the content of organic matter in the soil. The main research institutions related to the published research are mainly from China and the USA. Overall, most studies on Hg in soils are done in contaminated places or nearby active sources of Hg pollution. We conclude that scientometric studies of Hg in soils are key in guiding research development and knowledge integration useful to scientists and environmental policies to achieve the goals of the Minamata Convention.