Mercury cycling in the U.S. Rocky Mountains: a review of past research and future priorities

Wildfires Influence Mercury Transport, Methylation, and Bioaccumulation in Headwater Streams of the Pacific Northwest

“…35−39 Similarly, little is known about how wildfire might alter Hg bioaccumulation in headwater streams. 34 Recent laboratory studies have shown that although wildfire ash can strongly sequester inorganic Hg, 40 it may also promote MeHg production and subsequent bioaccumulation when labile organic matter leaches from the ash and mobilizes inorganic Hg in sediments. 29 Field studies on post wildfire Hg bioaccumulation are very limited and have focused on biota in a downstream lake, rather than in the headwater streams that are often most directly affected by wildfires.…”

“…Additionally, wildfires may affect watershed Hg cycling by altering soil properties (e.g., soil organic carbon concentrations and characteristics), , hydrologic flow paths, , and canopy loss . Little is known about the interactions among these competing mechanisms on the aqueous mobilization and transport of Hg within burned watersheds. − Those few studies that have evaluated wildfire effects on aqueous Hg transport have been limited in geographic scope, lacking landscape replication necessary for broader inference, or focused on either immediate or decadal responses after fires. − Similarly, little is known about how wildfire might alter Hg bioaccumulation in headwater streams . Recent laboratory studies have shown that although wildfire ash can strongly sequester inorganic Hg, it may also promote MeHg production and subsequent bioaccumulation when labile organic matter leaches from the ash and mobilizes inorganic Hg in sediments .…”