Declines of methylmercury along a salinity gradient in a low-lying coastal wetland ecosystem at South Carolina, USA

Ulus, Yener; Tsui, Martin Tsz‐Ki; Sakar, Aslihan; Nyarko, Paul; Aitmbarek, Nadia B.; Ardón, Marcelo; Chow, Alex T.

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136310

Cited by 9 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 55 publications

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“…In the environment, the formation of MeHg is mostly mediated by mercury-methylating bacteria, which mediate the conversion of inorganic divalent mercury (Hg II ) into MeHg under oxygen-deficient conditions (see Figure 1 ) [ 31 ]. Such mediators include certain sulfate-reducing bacteria, iron-reducing bacteria, methanogens, and fermenters [ 1 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. However, oxygenated ocean surface waters should not be neglected, as certain studies have demonstrated that approximately 20–40% of the MeHg measured below the surface mixed layer originates from the surface and then enters deeper ocean waters [ 31 ].…”

Section: Biogeochemical Cycling Of Mercury and Methylmercurymentioning

confidence: 99%

Interaction of Naturally Occurring Phytoplankton with the Biogeochemical Cycling of Mercury in Aquatic Environments and Its Effects on Global Hg Pollution and Public Health

Gojkovic,

Simansky,

Sanabria

et al. 2023

Microorganisms

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The biogeochemical cycling of mercury in aquatic environments is a complex process driven by various factors, such as ambient temperature, seasonal variations, methylating bacteria activity, dissolved oxygen levels, and Hg interaction with dissolved organic matter (DOM). As a consequence, part of the Hg contamination from anthropogenic activity that was buried in sediments is reinserted into water columns mainly in highly toxic organic Hg forms (methylmercury, dimethylmercury, etc.). This is especially prominent in the coastal shallow waters of industrial regions worldwide. The main entrance point of these highly toxic Hg forms in the aquatic food web is the naturally occurring phytoplankton. Hg availability, intake, effect on population size, cell toxicity, eventual biotransformation, and intracellular stability in phytoplankton are of the greatest importance for human health, having in mind that such Hg incorporated inside the phytoplankton cells due to biomagnification effects eventually ends up in aquatic wildlife, fish, seafood, and in the human diet. This review summarizes recent findings on the topic of organic Hg form interaction with natural phytoplankton and offers new insight into the matter with possible directions of future research for the prevention of Hg biomagnification in the scope of climate change and global pollution increase scenarios.

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