Mercury contamination in the riparian zones along the East Fork Poplar Creek at Oak Ridge

Pant, Prabhakar; Allen, Marshall; Tansel, Berrin

doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2010.10.009

Cited by 14 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…This was observed in the Y-12 soils that were periodically saturated with groundwater. This is also similar to Hg contaminated soils in floodplains in which Hg-sulfide species dominate (Barnett et al, 1997;Barnett and Turner, 2001;Han et al, 2006;Harris et al, 1996;Liu et al, 2006;Pant et al, 2011). The source of Hg and the hydrologic conditions are important in the speciation of Hg in contaminated soils.…”

Section: Sample Idmentioning

confidence: 67%

“…Elevated levels of Hg are present within and around historical Hg-use buildings, in storm drains, and within the main channel and floodplain of East Fork Poplar Creek (EFPC), which originates within the Y-12 facility (Rothschild et al, 1984). Most past soil studies have focused on floodplain soils located outside and downstream of the Y-12 facility in which the major source of Hg was transport by the creek and deposited in the floodplain of EFPC in the divalent state (Hg(II)) ( Barnett et al, 1997;Barnett and Turner, 2001;Han et al, 2006;Harris et al, 1996;Liu et al, 2006;Pant et al, 2011). The findings from those studies do not provide much insight into the Hg dynamics in the soils inside the Y-12 facility because it was Hg(0) l , not Hg (II), that was released into the soils.…”

Section: Sample Locationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterization of soils from an industrial complex contaminated with elemental mercury

Miller

Watson

Lester

et al. 2013

Environmental Research

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Section: Sample Idmentioning

confidence: 67%

Section: Sample Locationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of soils from an industrial complex contaminated with elemental mercury

Miller

Watson

Lester

et al. 2013

Environmental Research

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“…The measurement of Hg isotopes in environmental reservoirs (i.e., soils, sediments, and the atmosphere) has proven useful for the identification of anthropogenic Hg sources and can help trace Hg pathways through the environment − and into biota. − However, the utility of Hg isotopes as source tracers in regions with multiple atmospheric and aquatic Hg sources has not been extensively tested. Although studies have assessed the spatial distribution of Hg in EFPC soils and sediments ,− and estimated the speciation and mobility of sediment-bound Hg, ,− the Hg isotope composition of sediments in EFPC and its tributaries have not been extensively studied. In this study, we measured the Hg isotopic composition of streambed sediments in the vicinity of Oak Ridge, TN, to identify relevant Hg sources in the region and help elucidate their fate in nearby biota and downstream environments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification of Multiple Mercury Sources to Stream Sediments near Oak Ridge, TN, USA

Donovan

Blum

Demers

et al. 2014

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Sediments were analyzed for total Hg concentration (THg) and isotopic composition from streams and rivers in the vicinity of the Y-12 National Security Complex (Y12) in Oak Ridge, TN (USA). In the stream directly draining Y12, where industrial releases of mercury (Hg) have been documented, high THg (3.26 to 60.1 μg/g) sediments had a distinct Hg isotopic composition (δ(202)Hg of 0.02 ± 0.15‰ and Δ(199)Hg of -0.07 ± 0.03‰; mean ± 1SD, n = 12) compared to sediments from relatively uncontaminated streams in the region (δ(202)Hg = -1.40 ± 0.06‰ and Δ(199)Hg of -0.26 ± 0.03‰; mean ± 1SD, n = 6). Additionally, several streams that are nearby but do not drain Y12 had sediments with intermediate THg (0.06 to 0.21 μg/g) and anomalous δ(202)Hg (as low as -5.07‰). We suggest that the low δ(202)Hg values in these sediments provide evidence for the contribution of an additional Hg source to sediments, possibly derived from atmospheric deposition. In sediments directly downstream of Y12 this third Hg source is not discernible, and the Hg isotopic composition can be largely explained by the mixing of low THg sediments with high THg sediments contaminated by Y12 discharges.

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“…Other studies have also shown that wetlands, especially the riparian‐wetland and riparian‐stream transition zones containing high amounts of organic matter, can be hot spots of MeHg production (Bushey et al, 2008; Mitchell et al, 2008; Holloway et al, 2009). Studies have further shown that even in some riparian zones that are not technically wetlands, high Hg and total organic C may be important for promoting methylation, particularly under anoxic conditions (Guimarães et al, 2000; Flanders et al, 2010; Pant et al, 2011; Frohne et al, 2012). Recent research therefore suggests that those riparian zones that are rich in organic matter, in regions with high Hg deposition rates harboring consistently wet soils, can act as hot spots of Hg and MeHg production in the landscape.…”

Section: Riparian Zone Biogeochemistry: Beyond Nitrate Total Phosphomentioning

confidence: 99%

Twenty Years of Riparian Zone Research (1997–2017): Where to Next?

2019

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Riparian zones have been used for water quality management with respect to NO 3 − in subsurface flow and total P (TP), sediments, and pesticides in overland flow for decades. Only recently has the fate and transport of soluble reactive P (SRP), Hg, emerging contaminants, and greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes (N 2 O, CO 2 , and CH 4 ) been examined in riparian zones. Overall, riparian zones are efficient at reducing emerging contaminants in subsurface flow and only function as hot spots of methylmercury production in the landscape when dominated by Hg-rich wet organic soils. However, riparian zones do not provide consistent benefits with respect to SRP removal or GHG emissions. Although most existing riparian models almost exclusively focus on NO 3 − removal, recent developments in riparian models demonstrate the potential for using easily accessible digital environmental datasets to simulate and scale up riparian functions beyond NO 3 − removal to include SRP, TP, and GHG dynamics. To further inform integrated watershed management efforts, more research should be conducted on how various practices, including stream restoration, subsurface drainage, two-stage ditches, beaver dam analogues, denitrification bioreactors and permeable reactive barriers, artificial wetlands, and short-rotation forestry crops affect riparian water and air quality functions. Riparian zone benefits should be discussed not only with respect to water and air quality, but also in terms of recreation, habitat for wildlife, and other ecosystem services. More research is needed to fully address potential water quality or air quality tradeoffs associated with riparian zone management in a multicontaminant-multiuse landscape context.

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Mercury contamination in the riparian zones along the East Fork Poplar Creek at Oak Ridge

Cited by 14 publications

References 21 publications

Characterization of soils from an industrial complex contaminated with elemental mercury

Characterization of soils from an industrial complex contaminated with elemental mercury

Identification of Multiple Mercury Sources to Stream Sediments near Oak Ridge, TN, USA

Twenty Years of Riparian Zone Research (1997–2017): Where to Next?

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