Trends in mercury concentrations and methylation in Minamata Bay, Japan, between 2014 and 2018

Methylmercury concentrations in Minamata Bay are high, but the cause is unclear. We conducted a basic study on the behavior of methylmercury in Minamata Bay seawater; the findings suggest that mercury methylation may occur throughout the year in Minamata Bay. Seawater temperature, salinity, and conc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2021-12, Vol.173 (Pt A), p.112886-112886, Article 112886
Main Authors: Matsuyama, Akito, Yano, Shinichiro, Taniguchi, Yoko, Kindaichi, Michiaki, Tada, Akihide, Wada, Minoru
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bays
Community structure
Dimethylmercury
Dissolved organic carbon
Dissolved Organic Matter
Environmental factors
Environmental Monitoring
Hg monitoring
Japan
Mercury
Mercury (metal)
Mercury - analysis
Methyl mercury
Methylation
Methylmercury
Microorganism
Minamata Bay
Particulate emissions
Particulate matter
Seawater
SPM
Suspended particulate matter
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
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Summary:Methylmercury concentrations in Minamata Bay are high, but the cause is unclear. We conducted a basic study on the behavior of methylmercury in Minamata Bay seawater; the findings suggest that mercury methylation may occur throughout the year in Minamata Bay. Seawater temperature, salinity, and concentrations of dissolved organic carbon were the environmental factors that affected methylation, and the degree of methylation was closely related to bacterial community structure. The concentration of methylmercury in suspended particulate matter was highest 10 m below the surface and decreased with greater depths. We did not observe a correlation between methylmercury concentrations in suspended particulate matter and concentrations of dissolved methylmercury. •Mercury methylation occurs in Minamata Bay throughout the year.•Temperature, salinity, and dissolved organic carbon are factors in methylation.•The degree of mercury methylation is related to bacterial community structure.•Methylmercury concentrations in suspended particulate matter vary by water depth.•These concentrations do not correlate with concentrations of dissolved methylmercury.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112886