International audienceDespite the ecologic and economical importance of coastal areas, the neurotoxic bioaccumulable monomethylmercury (MMHg) fluxes within the ocean margins and exchanges with the open sea remain unassessed. The aim of this paper is to address the questions of the abundance, distribution, production and exchanges of methylated mercury species (MeHgT), including MMHg and dimethylmercury (DMHg), in the waters, atmosphere and sediments of the Northwestern Mediterranean margin including the Rhône River delta, the continental shelf and its slope (Gulf of Lions) and the adjacent open sea (North Gyre)

Dissolved Cd (CdD) concentrations along the salinity gradient were measured in surface water of the Gironde Estuary during 15 cruises (2001-2007), covering a wide range of contrasting situations in terms of hydrology, turbidity and season. During all situations dissolved Cd concentrations displayed max i mu m values in the mid-salinity range, reflecting Cd addition by chloride-induced desorption and complexation. The daily net CdD fluxes from the Gironde Estuary to the coastal oc ean were estimated using Boyle's method. Extrapolating CdD concentrations in the high salinity range to the freshwater end member D using a theoretical dilution line produced 15 theoretical Cd concentrations (Cd 0), each representative

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