A hypolimnetic mass balance of mercury from a dimictic lake: Results from the METAALICUS project

Babiarz, Christopher L.; Hurley, James P.; Krabbenhoft, DavidP.; Trinko, T.R.; Tate, Michael T.; Chadwick, Shawn P.; Armstrong, David E.

doi:10.1051/jp4:20030249

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…Size and depth of peat vary among peatlands, but all four would be classified as Basin Bog . Experimental manipulations have previously taken place in three of the four peatlands (S6, W239, and W658) – . We do not believe that prior monitoring or experimentation on any of these study sites has had an impact on data presented here; however any possible influences are considered in the interpretation of results.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 89%

Spatial Characteristics of Net Methylmercury Production Hot Spots in Peatlands

Mitchell

Branfireun

Kolka

2008

Environ. Sci. Technol.

145

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Many wetlands are sources of methylmercury (MeHg) to surface waters, yet little information exists about the distribution of MeHg within wetlands. Total mercury (THg) and MeHg in peat pore waters were studied in four peatlands in spring, summer, and fall 2005. Marked spatial variability in the distribution of MeHg, and %MeHg as a proxy for net MeHg production, was observed, with highest values occurring in discrete zones. We denote these zones "MeHg hot spots", defined as an area where the pore water %MeHg exceeded the 90th percentile of the data set (n=463) or >22% of THg as MeHg. MeHg hot spots occurred near the interface between peatland and the upland watershed with few exceptions. The %MeHg in pore water was significantly less in peatland interiors compared to upland-peatland interface zones, with the significance of these differences related to the delineation of the boundary between the two areas. Although further research is necessary, our data suggest that the occurrence of MeHg hot spots is related to the transport of solutes in upland runoff to the peatland perimeter and not to the accumulation of MeHg in this zone as a result of transport from either the peatland interior or the surrounding upland watershed. These findings augment the understanding of peatland MeHg production in upland-peatland watersheds, provide guidance for more accurate quantification of MeHg pool sizes in the landscape, and a spatial framework forthe further study of mercury methylation processes in peatlands.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 89%

Spatial Characteristics of Net Methylmercury Production Hot Spots in Peatlands

Mitchell

Branfireun

Kolka

2008

Environ. Sci. Technol.

145

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“…The results of this investigation, combined with the findings of Hintelmann et al [2002] demonstrated that the application of 202 Hg in an amount approximately 5 times the total annual deposition received at the ELA would provide measurable results for assessing the contemporary Hg cycle at the catchment scale. The METAALICUS whole ecosystem manipulation was initiated in 2000, and will provide an integrated picture of the response of biota, uplands, wetlands and lakes [see Babiarz et al , 2003a, 2003b] to increased Hg input, in addition to detailed process‐oriented data concerning the within‐catchment dynamics of changing Hg loads.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Speciation and transport of newly deposited mercury in a boreal forest wetland: A stable mercury isotope approach

Branfireun

Krabbenhoft

Hintelmann

et al. 2005

Water Resources Research

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[1] As part of the Mercury Experiment to Assess Atmospheric Loadings in Canada and the United States (METAALICUS) the fate and transport of contemporary mercury (Hg) deposition in a boreal wetland was investigated using an experimentally applied stable mercury isotope. We applied high purity (99.2% ± 0.1) 202 Hg(II) to a wetland plot to determine if (1) the 202 Hg was detectable above the pool of native Hg, (2) the 202 Hg migrated vertically and/or horizontally in peat and pore waters, and (3) the 202 Hg was converted to methylmercury (MeHg) in situ. The 202 Hg was easily detected by ICP/MS in both solid peat and pore waters. Over 3 months, the 202 Hg migrated vertically downward in excess of 15 cm below the water table and traveled several meters horizontally beyond the experimental plot to the lake margin along the dominant vector of groundwater flow. Importantly, at one location, 6% of aqueous 202 Hg was detected as Me 202 Hg after only 1 day. These results indicate that new inorganic Hg in atmospheric deposition can be readily methylated and transported lakeward by shallow groundwater flow, confirming the important role of wetlands as contributors of Hg to aquatic ecosystems.

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“…Experimental manipulations of Hg loading to a coupled terrestrial, wetland, lake ecosystem and into lake mesocosms have provided refined pictures of the link between atmospheric deposition inputs of Hg, cycling of Hg in the ecosystem and its appearance in biota. , Experimentally added Hg simulating atmospheric deposition was preferentially incorporated into fish tissues over older Hg cycled through upland and wetland habitats into lake waters. ,, The mesocosm studies demonstrated that lake biota Hg levels can increase rapidly and linearly in response to increases in simulated atmospheric Hg inputs . The theoretical converse of this conclusion is that when recently added, atmospherically deposited Hg is reduced, fish Hg accumulation should also be rapidly reduced.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal and Spatial Trends in Freshwater Fish Tissue Mercury Concentrations Associated with Mercury Emissions Reductions

Hutcheson

Smith²,

Rose³

et al. 2014

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Mercury (Hg) concentrations were monitored from 1999 to 2011 in largemouth bass (LMB) and yellow perch (YP) in 23 lakes in Massachusetts USA during a period of significant local and regional Hg emissions reductions. Average LMB tissue Hg concentration decreases of 44% were seen in 13 of 16 lakes in a regional Hg "hotspot" area. YP in all lakes sampled in this area decreased 43% after the major emissions reductions. Comparative decreases throughout the remainder of the state were 13% and 19% for LMB and YP respectively. Annual tissue mercury concentration rate decreases were 0.029 (LMB) and 0.016 mg Hg/kg/yr (YP) in the hotspot. In lakes around the rest of the state, LMB showed no trend and YP Hg decreased 0.0068 mg Hg/kg/yr. Mercury emissions from major point sources in the hotspot area decreased 98%, and 93% in the rest of the state from the early 1990s to 2008. The significant declines in fish Hg concentrations in many lakes occurred over the second half of a two decade decrease in Hg emissions primarily from municipal solid waste combustors and, secondarily, from other combustion point sources. In addition to the substantial Hg emissions reductions achieved in Massachusetts, further regional, national and global emissions reductions are needed for fish Hg levels to decrease below fish consumption advisory levels.

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A hypolimnetic mass balance of mercury from a dimictic lake: Results from the METAALICUS project

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

Spatial Characteristics of Net Methylmercury Production Hot Spots in Peatlands

Spatial Characteristics of Net Methylmercury Production Hot Spots in Peatlands

Speciation and transport of newly deposited mercury in a boreal forest wetland: A stable mercury isotope approach

Temporal and Spatial Trends in Freshwater Fish Tissue Mercury Concentrations Associated with Mercury Emissions Reductions

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