Methyl mercury production in freshwater microcosms affected by dissolved oxygen levels: role of cobalamin and microbial community composition

In April 1991 sediment cores with overlying water were collected from a forest lake in central Sweden. The lake received cellulose fibre effluent from a paper mill. Until 1961 the effluent was contaminated with phenyl mercuric acetate. Radiolabelled mercury nitrate was added to the microcosms contai...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian journal of fisheries and aquatic sciences 1996-01, Vol.53 (7), p.1535-1545
Main Authors: Regnell, O, Tunlid, A, Ewald, G, Sangfors, O
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Biologi
Biological and medical sciences
Biological Sciences
Desulfobacter
Ecology
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Ekologi
Fresh water environment
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Natural Sciences
Naturvetenskap
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Summary:In April 1991 sediment cores with overlying water were collected from a forest lake in central Sweden. The lake received cellulose fibre effluent from a paper mill. Until 1961 the effluent was contaminated with phenyl mercuric acetate. Radiolabelled mercury nitrate was added to the microcosms containing sediment and water; anoxic incubation resulted in higher concentrations of methyl mercury than oxygenated incubation. The water solubility and production of methyl mercury was higher in anoxic conditions. Levels of methyl mercury in the sediment appeared to be strongly correlated with the level of cobalamin and phospholipid fatty acids. The levels of phospholipid fatty acids indicated the presence of Desulphobacter bacteria. There are 57 references.
ISSN:0706-652X
1205-7533
DOI:10.1139/f96-086