Seasonal dynamics of microbial mercury transformations in sediments and water column of Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea)

A series of relatively simple incubation experiments to assess and evaluate microbial mercury (Hg) transformations in water column and sediments were performed monthly or bimonthly in a period from March 2011 to December 2011. Sampling campaigns were performed at station F in the southeastern part o...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Koron, N., Bratkič, A., Ribeiro Guevara, S., Tinta, T., Klun, K., Faganeli, J., Horvat, M.
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
Annual variations
Bioavailability
Biodegradation
Columns (structural)
Environmental factors
Inflow
Mercury
Mercury (metal)
Methylation
microbial transformation
Microorganisms
Nutrient availability
Organic chemistry
Organic matter
Oxygenation
Radioisotopes
radiotracer
Reduction
Sediments
Substrates
Transformations
Water column
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Summary:A series of relatively simple incubation experiments to assess and evaluate microbial mercury (Hg) transformations in water column and sediments were performed monthly or bimonthly in a period from March 2011 to December 2011. Sampling campaigns were performed at station F in the southeastern part of Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic Sea. Gulf of Trieste has been for the last 500 year continuously impacted with inflow of Hg, originating from the Idrija Hg mine. The microbial mercury transformations were assessed using a short-lived (t1/2=64.12 h) radioisotope 197Hg. Calculated activities of microbial Hg reduction and methylation were correlated with other environmental factors, such as temperature, nutrient availability, oxygenation, organic matter, substrate (Hg in bioavailable chemical form) availability, structure of microbial community and presence of mer operon. Preliminary results show that in water column a substantial Hg reduction occurs, whereas methylation was not observed. On the other hand, long-term incubation experiments with sediments show that methylation process is active however preliminary results also suggest a significant MeHg degradation.
ISSN:2267-1242
2555-0403
2267-1242
DOI:10.1051/e3sconf/20130110001