Résumé
The aim of this study was to investigate key mechanisms that may affect the cycle of mercury in open waters of the Mediterranean Sea and its interaction with the water masses stratification and the biological turnover. Water samples were collected in the main basins of the Mediterranean Sea along with depth and were analyzed for mercury speciation in filtered and unfiltered water as well as for dissolved gaseous mercury speciation in bulk water. Furthermore, Hg species distribution in open seawaters was also correlated with main biogeochemical parameters among which phytoplankton characterization and pigments speciation.