Loading…

Effect of Loading Rate on the Fate of Mercury in Littoral Mesocosms

The effects of changes in atmospheric mercury (Hg) deposition on aquatic ecosystems are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the biogeochemical cycling of Hg in littoral mesocosms receiving different loading rates (7−107 μg Hg m-2 year-1). We added a 202Hg-enriched preparation to differenti...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science & technology 2006-10, Vol.40 (19), p.5992-6000
Main Authors: Orihel, Diane M, Paterson, Michael J, Gilmour, Cynthia C, Bodaly, R. A. (Drew), Blanchfield, Paul J, Hintelmann, Holger, Harris, Reed C, Rudd, John W. M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The effects of changes in atmospheric mercury (Hg) deposition on aquatic ecosystems are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the biogeochemical cycling of Hg in littoral mesocosms receiving different loading rates (7−107 μg Hg m-2 year-1). We added a 202Hg-enriched preparation to differentiate the experimentally added Hg from the ambient Hg in the environment. This approach allowed us to follow the distribution and methylation of the isotopically enriched (“spike”) Hg in the mesocosms. Within 3 weeks, spike Hg was distributed throughout the main environmental compartments (water, particles, periphyton, and sediments) and began to be converted to methylmercury (MeHg). Concentrations of spike total Hg and MeHg in these compartments, measured after 8 weeks, were directly proportional to loading rates. Thus, Hg(II) availability was the limiting factor for the major processes of the biogeochemical Hg cycle, including methylation. This is the first study to demonstrate a proportional response of in situ MeHg production to atmospherically relevant loading levels. On the basis of mass balances, we conclude that loading rate had no effect on the relative distribution of spike Hg among the main compartments or on the fraction of spike Hg converted to MeHg. Therefore, loading rate did not change the relative magnitude of biogeochemical pathways competing for Hg within the mesocosms. These data suggest that reductions of Hg deposition to lake surfaces would be equally effective across a broad range of deposition rates.
ISSN:0013-936X
1520-5851
DOI:10.1021/es060823+