Comparison of mercury mass loading in streams to atmospheric deposition in watersheds of Western North America: Evidence for non-atmospheric mercury sources

Domagalski, Joseph L.; Majewski, Michael S.; Alpers, Charles N.; Eckley, Chris S.; Eagles‐Smith, Collin A.; Schenk, Liam N.; Wherry, Susan A.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.02.112

Cited by 30 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Undisturbed forested ecosystems can effectively sequester Hg via accumulation in vegetation and soils (Obrist et al 2011 ). As a result, forested ecosystems typically have relatively low runoff yields, averaging 6 ± 2 % of atmospheric Hg deposition (Mason et al 1997 ; Balogh et al 2008 ; Shanley et al 2008 ; Domagalski et al 2016 ). In streams and rivers draining from harvested catchments, increases in total Hg and MeHg concentrations have been observed in many (but not all) studies and have been attributed to increased soil erosion, Hg methylation activity, and/or mobilization of near surface Hg pools in soils (Roulet et al 1999 ; Fostier et al 2000 ; Roulet et al 2000 ; Porvari et al 2003 ; Mainville et al 2006 ; Allan et al 2009 ; Sorensen et al 2009 ; Lacerda et al 2012 ; Eklof et al 2013 , 2014 ; de Wit et al 2014 ; Kronberg et al 2016a ; Ukonmaanaho et al 2016 ).…”

Section: Forestry and Deforestationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges and opportunities for managing aquatic mercury pollution in altered landscapes

Hsu‐Kim

Eckley

Achá

et al. 2018

Ambio

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201

115

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The environmental cycling of mercury (Hg) can be affected by natural and anthropogenic perturbations. Of particular concern is how these disruptions increase mobilization of Hg from sites and alter the formation of monomethylmercury (MeHg), a bioaccumulative form of Hg for humans and wildlife. The scientific community has made significant advances in recent years in understanding the processes contributing to the risk of MeHg in the environment. The objective of this paper is to synthesize the scientific understanding of how Hg cycling in the aquatic environment is influenced by landscape perturbations at the local scale, perturbations that include watershed loadings, deforestation, reservoir and wetland creation, rice production, urbanization, mining and industrial point source pollution, and remediation. We focus on the major challenges associated with each type of alteration, as well as management opportunities that could lessen both MeHg levels in biota and exposure to humans. For example, our understanding of approximate response times to changes in Hg inputs from various sources or landscape alterations could lead to policies that prioritize the avoidance of certain activities in the most vulnerable systems and sequestration of Hg in deep soil and sediment pools. The remediation of Hg pollution from historical mining and other industries is shifting towards in situ technologies that could be less disruptive and less costly than conventional approaches. Contemporary artisanal gold mining has well-documented impacts with respect to Hg; however, significant social and political challenges remain in implementing effective policies to minimize Hg use. Much remains to be learned as we strive towards the meaningful application of our understanding for stakeholders, including communities living near Hg-polluted sites, environmental policy makers, and scientists and engineers tasked with developing watershed management solutions. Site-specific assessments of MeHg exposure risk will require new methods to predict the impacts of anthropogenic perturbations and an understanding of the complexity of Hg cycling at the local scale.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s13280-017-1006-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Forestry and Deforestationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges and opportunities for managing aquatic mercury pollution in altered landscapes

Hsu‐Kim

Eckley

Achá

et al. 2018

Ambio

Self Cite

201

115

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“…This suggests that other Hg sources are relevant for the studied southern streams. Direct inputs of Hg deposited by wet and dry atmospheric depositional processes (Brigham et al, 2009;Domagalski et al, 2016;Lee et al, 2001) could contribute to THg T concentrations in streams with low inputs of terrestrial DOM. Besides atmospheric deposition, catchment characteristics and changes in runoff may be relevant in determining THg T in streams and rivers (Baptista-Salazar et al, 2017;Domagalski et al, 2016).…”

Section: Terrestrial Dom: An Important Source Of Thg In European Runnmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Direct inputs of Hg deposited by wet and dry atmospheric depositional processes (Brigham et al, 2009;Domagalski et al, 2016;Lee et al, 2001) could contribute to THg T concentrations in streams with low inputs of terrestrial DOM. Besides atmospheric deposition, catchment characteristics and changes in runoff may be relevant in determining THg T in streams and rivers (Baptista-Salazar et al, 2017;Domagalski et al, 2016). Therefore, our results confirm the role of terrestrial OM as an important source of Hg for streams but highlight the uncertainties on the drivers of THg concentrations at broader global scale when considering systems with low loads of terrestrial OM.…”

Section: Terrestrial Dom: An Important Source Of Thg In European Runnmentioning

confidence: 99%

The interplay between total mercury, methylmercury and dissolved organic matter in fluvial systems: A latitudinal study across Europe

et al. 2018

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Large-scale studies are needed to identify the drivers of total mercury (THg) and monomethyl-mercury (MeHg) concentrations in aquatic ecosystems. Studies attempting to link dissolved organic matter (DOM) to levels of THg or MeHg are few and geographically constrained. Additionally, stream and river systems have been understudied as compared to lakes. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine the influence of DOM concentration and composition, morphological descriptors, land uses and water chemistry on THg and MeHg concentrations and the percentage of THg as MeHg (%MeHg) in 29 streams across Europe spanning from 41°N to 64 °N. THg concentrations (0.06-2.78 ng L) were highest in streams characterized by DOM with a high terrestrial soil signature and low nutrient content. MeHg concentrations (7.8-159 pg L) varied non-systematically across systems. Relationships between DOM bulk characteristics and THg and MeHg suggest that while soil derived DOM inputs control THg concentrations, autochthonous DOM (aquatically produced) and the availability of electron acceptors for Hg methylating microorganisms (e.g. sulfate) drive %MeHg and potentially MeHg concentration. Overall, these results highlight the large spatial variability in THg and MeHg concentrations at the European scale, and underscore the importance of DOM composition on mercury cycling in fluvial systems.

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“…Monthly wet Hg deposition rates ranged from 0.1 to 1.8 g m −2 (Miller et al 2005;Durnford et al 2012;Cole et al 2014;Domagalski et al 2016), including near oil sands facilities in Fort McMurray, Alberta (Lynam et al 2018). The highest levels of Hg deposition rates were observed at Flin Flon, Manitoba, nearby a copper smelter which was the largest point source of mercury emissions until its closure in 2010 (Eckley et al 2013).…”

Section: Deposition Of Mercury and Other Toxic Pollutantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atmospheric change as a driver of change in the Canadian boreal zone¹

et al. 2019

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Global anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases and hazardous air pollutants have produced broad yet regionally disparate changes in climatic conditions and pollutant deposition in the Canadian boreal zone (the boreal). Adapting boreal resource management to atmospheric change requires a holistic understanding and awareness of the ongoing and future responses of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems in this vast, heterogeneous landscape. To integrate existing knowledge of and generate new insights from the broad-scale impacts of atmospheric change, we first describe historical and present trends (∼1980–2015) in temperature, precipitation, deposition of hazardous air pollutants, and atmospheric-mediated natural disturbance regimes in this region. We then examine their associations with ecosystem condition and productivity, biological diversity, soil and water, and the carbon budget. These associations vary considerably among ecozones and likely undergo further changes under the emerging risks of atmospheric change. We highlight the urgent need to establish long-term, boreal-wide monitoring for many key components of freshwater ecosystems to better understand and project the influences of atmospheric change on boreal water resources. We also formulate three divergent future scenarios of boreal ecosystems in 2050. Our scenario analysis reveals multiple undesirable changes in boreal ecosystem structure and functioning with more variable atmospheric conditions and frequent land disturbances, while continuing business-as-usual management of natural resources. It is possible, though challenging, to reduce unwanted consequences to ecosystems through management regimes focussed on socio-ecological sustainability and developing resilient infrastructure and adaptive resource-management strategies. We emphasize the need for proactive actions and improved foresight for all sectors of society to collaborate, innovate, and invest in anticipation of impending global atmospheric change, without which the boreal zone will face a dim future.

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Comparison of mercury mass loading in streams to atmospheric deposition in watersheds of Western North America: Evidence for non-atmospheric mercury sources

Cited by 30 publications

References 33 publications

Challenges and opportunities for managing aquatic mercury pollution in altered landscapes

Challenges and opportunities for managing aquatic mercury pollution in altered landscapes

The interplay between total mercury, methylmercury and dissolved organic matter in fluvial systems: A latitudinal study across Europe

Atmospheric change as a driver of change in the Canadian boreal zone¹

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Comparison of mercury mass loading in streams to atmospheric deposition in watersheds of Western North America: Evidence for non-atmospheric mercury sources

Cited by 30 publications

References 33 publications

Challenges and opportunities for managing aquatic mercury pollution in altered landscapes

Challenges and opportunities for managing aquatic mercury pollution in altered landscapes

The interplay between total mercury, methylmercury and dissolved organic matter in fluvial systems: A latitudinal study across Europe

Atmospheric change as a driver of change in the Canadian boreal zone1

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Product

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Atmospheric change as a driver of change in the Canadian boreal zone¹