Levels of chemical versus biological methylation of mercury in sediments

Berman, M. L.; Bartha, Richárd

doi:10.1007/bf01623527

Cited by 63 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Moreover, the seasonal trends and predominance of filterable MeHg over particulate MeHg in the summer months suggests that most MeHg is released from tidal marsh soils and pore water and is not controlled by marsh erosion or biomass-derived particulates. Although the seasonal MeHg patterns are not surprising, given the microbial control of MeHg production in saline sediment (Berman and Bartha 1986;King et al 2001), elucidating this pattern is critical for accurately determining an annual net flux.…”

Section: Hg Source/sink Function Of Tidal Marshmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tidal exchange of total mercury and methylmercury between a salt marsh and a Chesapeake Bay sub-estuary

et al. 2012

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We examined the net exchange of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) between a tidal marsh and its adjacent estuary over a 1-year period from August 2007 to July 2008. Our objectives were to estimate the importance of tidal salt marshes as sources and sinks of mercury within the Chesapeake Bay system, and to examine the hydrologic and biogeochemical controls on mercury fate and transport in tidal marshes. Tidal flows and water chemistry were measured at an established tidal flume at the mouth of the principal tidal creek of a 3-ha marsh section at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Fluxes were estimated by combining continuous tidal flow measurement for the entire study year, with discrete, hourly, flow-weighted measurements of filterable and particulate THg and MeHg, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and suspended particulate matter (SPM) made over 20 tidal cycles during the year. We found that the marsh was a relatively small net tidal source of MeHg, mainly during the warmer growing season. We also confirmed that the marsh was a substantial source of DOC to the adjacent estuary. DOC was a significant predictor of both filterable THg and MeHg fluxes. However, although the marsh was a source of filterable THg, it was overall a net sink for THg because of particulate trapping. The net per-area annual flux of MeHg from tidal marshes is greater than other MeHg pathways within Chesapeake Bay. The annual load of MeHg from tidal marshes into Chesapeake Bay, however, is likely small relative to fluvial fluxes and efflux from bottom sediment. This study suggests that MeHg production within the tidal marsh has greater consequences for biota inhabiting the marsh than for the efflux of MeHg from the marsh.

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Section: Hg Source/sink Function Of Tidal Marshmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tidal exchange of total mercury and methylmercury between a salt marsh and a Chesapeake Bay sub-estuary

et al. 2012

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“…While inorganic mercury can be chemical1y methylated through a variety of mechanisms (D'ltri 1990), the formation and decomposition or net production of methyl mercury in lakes is large1y dependent on the methylation and demethylation of mercury by microbes (Berman and Bartha 1986). A number of factors are thought to influence the net…”

Section: General Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental factors affecting methyl mercury accumulation in zooplankton

Westcott¹,

Kalff²

1996

Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci.

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“…Controls on mercury methylation in natural environments such as lakes are not well understood. Abiotic mercury methylation in natural environments appears to be of minor importance (1). In contrast, microbial mercury methylation has been shown to occur in a variety of marine, estuarine, and lacustrine environments.…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

Sediment Microbial Community Structure and Mercury Methylation in Mercury-Polluted Clear Lake, California

Macalady¹,

Mack

Nelson

et al. 2000

Appl Environ Microbiol

143

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Spatial and temporal variations in sediment microbial community structure in a eutrophic lake polluted with inorganic mercury were identified using polar lipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis. Microbial community structure was strongly related to mercury methylation potential, sediment organic carbon content, and lake location. Pore water sulfate, total mercury concentrations, and organic matter C/N ratios showed no relationships with microbial community structure. Seasonal changes and changes potentially attributable to temperature regulation of bacterial membranes were detectable but were less important influences on sediment PLFA composition than were differences due to lake sampling location. Analysis of biomarker PLFAs characteristic of Desulfobacter and Desulfovibrio groups of sulfate-reducing bacteria suggests that Desulfobacter-like organisms are important mercury methylators in the sediments, especially in the Lower Arm of Clear Lake.

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Levels of chemical versus biological methylation of mercury in sediments

Cited by 63 publications

References 11 publications

Tidal exchange of total mercury and methylmercury between a salt marsh and a Chesapeake Bay sub-estuary

Tidal exchange of total mercury and methylmercury between a salt marsh and a Chesapeake Bay sub-estuary

Environmental factors affecting methyl mercury accumulation in zooplankton

Sediment Microbial Community Structure and Mercury Methylation in Mercury-Polluted Clear Lake, California

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