Journal
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
Volume 164, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112023
Keywords
Monomethylmercury; Mercury methylation; Volcanic mercury; Deception Island; Antarctica
Funding
- Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology through the Portuguese Polar Program (ProPolar)
- ProPolar
- NSERC
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Research found that Deception Island in Antarctica is an active volcano, with volcanic eruptions being one of the reasons for high mercury concentrations. Higher levels of total mercury and monomethylmercury were found in this ecosystem, with biotic methylation rates in water being significantly higher and abiotic methylation playing an important role.
Deception Island is an active volcano in the Antarctica being volcanism a source of mercury. To improve the understanding of the Hg cycle in this remote ecosystem, pyroclastic gravel and water samples were collected and total (THg) and monomethylmercury (MMHg) concentrations were measured as well as the potential for Hg methylation. Gravel samples collected close to active fumaroles showed the highest THg levels (72 ng/g) while in water samples the highest concentrations of THg (1.2 ng/L) and MMHg (0.45 ng/L) where found. Methylation activity was barely observable in gravel samples. Biotic methylation rates in water were up to 13 times higher compared to those recorded previously in other polar waters. Abiotic methylation processes also play an important role, with up to 0.54 ? 0.43% of added Hg converted instantaneously to MMHg. These results suggest that Deception Island presents favourable conditions for MMHg explaining the elevated concentrations of both THg and MMHg in this ecosystem.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available