Methylmercury Production and Degradation under Light and Dark Conditions in the Water Column of the Hells Canyon Reservoirs, USA
| Autor: | Vishal Shah, Chris S. Eckley, Christopher D. Knightes, Todd P. Luxton |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2021 |
| Předmět: |
010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences
Health Toxicology and Mutagenesis chemistry.chemical_element 010501 environmental sciences 01 natural sciences Article chemistry.chemical_compound Water column Animals Environmental Chemistry Water pollution Methylmercury 0105 earth and related environmental sciences Abiotic component Fishes Mercury Methylmercury Compounds Mercury (element) chemistry Environmental chemistry Bioaccumulation Environmental science Anaerobic bacteria Water quality Water Pollutants Chemical Environmental Monitoring |
| Zdroj: | Environ Toxicol Chem |
| ISSN: | 1552-8618 0730-7268 |
| Popis: | Methylmercury (MeHg) is a highly toxic form of mercury that can bioaccumulate in fish tissue. Methylmercury is produced by anaerobic bacteria, many of which are also capable of MeHg degradation. In addition, demethylation in surface waters can occur via abiotic sunlight-mediated processes. The goal of the present study was to understand the relative importance of microbial Hg methylation/demethylation and abiotic photodemethylation that govern the mass of MeHg within an aquatic system. The study location was the Hells Canyon complex of 3 reservoirs on the Idaho–Oregon border, USA, that has fish consumption advisories as a result of elevated MeHg concentrations. Our study utilized stable isotope addition experiments to trace MeHg formation and degradation within the water column of the reservoirs to understand the relative importance of these processes on the mass of MeHg using the Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program. The results showed that rates of MeHg production and degradation within the water column were relatively low (0.5 m below the surface. These results can be used to identify the relative importance of MeHg processes that can help guide reservoir management decisions. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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