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Zhou Z, Tang Z, Wang H, Liu K, Wang Y, Xiao X, Yin Y, Liu G, Cai Y, Li Y. Spatial and temporal variations in the pollution status and sources of mercury in the Jiaozhou bay. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 346:123554. [PMID: 38395130 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
In the past few decades, mercury (Hg) discharged into the coastal bays of China has significantly increased; however, long-term trends regarding the pollution status and sources of Hg in these bays have yet to be clear. Focusing on this issue, surface sediments and core sediments were collected in the Jiaozhou Bay (JZB), a typical bay highly affected by human activities in China, to analyze the concentrations and stable isotopic composition of Hg. Total mercury (THg) concentrations in surface sediment varied from 7 to 163 ng/g, with higher levels located in the eastern JZB, possibly attributed to intensive industrial and population density. THg in sediment cores 14 and 20 displayed fluctuating increasing trends from 1936 to 2019, reflecting the deterioration of Hg pollution. In contrast, THg in sediment core 28 near the river mouth exhibited a declining trend, possibly due to the river dam construction. Using a stable isotope mixing model, contributions of various sources (atmospheric, riverine, and industrial emissions) to Hg in the JZB were estimated. The results showed that industrial emissions were the main source (over 50%) of mercury in the JZB in 2019. Sediment cores recorded an increase in industrial Hg due to early industrialization and Reform and Opening-up before 2000. In addition, sediment core 20 demonstrated a rise in the percentage of riverine Hg due to land reclamation at the bay's mouth during 2000-2007.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengwen Zhou
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Zhekai Tang
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Huiling Wang
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Ke Liu
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Yingjun Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Xiaotong Xiao
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Yongguang Yin
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Guangliang Liu
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, United States
| | - Yong Cai
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, United States
| | - Yanbin Li
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China.
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Yoshino K, Yamada K, Kanaya G, Komorita T, Okamoto K, Tanaka M, Tada Y, Henmi Y, Yamamoto M. Food Web Structures and Mercury Exposure Pathway to Fish in Minamata Bay. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2023; 85:360-373. [PMID: 37919444 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-023-01040-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
We analyzed total mercury content (THg) and carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope ratios in fish, subtidal macrobenthos, and particulate organic matter (POM) as a proxy for pelagic phytoplankton and attached microalgae as a proxy for microphytobenthos to investigate the mercury exposure pathway in fish. For four seasons, samples of the above-mentioned organisms were collected on five occasions (July and October 2018 and January, April, and July 2019) in Minamata Bay. Isotope analysis showed that Minamata Bay food web structures were almost entirely fueled by microphytobenthos. The THg values of the fish and macrobenthos species were positively correlated with their δ13C. This indicates that their diets, which were highly fueled by microphytobenthos, led to high THg bioaccumulation in both macrobenthos and fish. The feeding habits of fishes differ depending on the species, and they prey on organisms of many taxa, including fish (mainly Japanese anchovy), crabs, shrimp, copepods, annelids, and algae. Fish species that preyed on benthic crustaceans had high THg. These results suggest that the main pathway of Hg bioaccumulation in fish from Minamata Bay is the benthic food chain, which is primarily linked to benthic crustaceans fueled by microphytobenthos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Yoshino
- National Institute for Minamata Disease, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata, Kumamoto, 867-0008, Japan.
| | - Katsumasa Yamada
- Aitsu Marine Station, Center for Water Cycle, Marine Environment and Disaster Management, Kumamoto University, Matstushima, Kami-Amakusa, Kumamoto, 861-6102, Japan
| | - Gen Kanaya
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Komorita
- Faculty of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, 3-1-100 Tsukide, Higashi-ku, Kumamoto, 862-8502, Japan
| | - Kai Okamoto
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8564, Japan
| | - Masaatsu Tanaka
- Department of Biology, Keio University, 4-1-1 Hiyoshi, Yokohama, 223-8521, Japan
| | - Yuya Tada
- National Institute for Minamata Disease, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata, Kumamoto, 867-0008, Japan
| | - Yasuhisa Henmi
- Aitsu Marine Station, Center for Water Cycle, Marine Environment and Disaster Management, Kumamoto University, Matstushima, Kami-Amakusa, Kumamoto, 861-6102, Japan
| | - Megumi Yamamoto
- National Institute for Minamata Disease, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata, Kumamoto, 867-0008, Japan
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Ren Z, Jiang W, Sun N, Shi J, Zhang D, Zhang J, Wang Z, Yang J, Yu J, Lv Z. Responses of the structure and function of microbes in Yellow River Estuary sediments to different levels of mercury. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 190:106097. [PMID: 37441819 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
The health and stability of the estuary of the Yellow River ecosystem have come under increasing pressure from land-based inputs of heavy metals. While it is known that heavy metals affect the function and health of the microbial community, there remains little knowledge on the responses of the microbial community to heavy metals, particularly highly toxic mercury. The research aimed to characterize the responses of the sediment microbial community of the estuary of the Yellow River to different levels of mercury stress. Estuary sediment samples were collected for microbial community analysis, measurement of mercury [including total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg)], and measurement of other physicochemical factors, including pH, total organic carbon (TOC), sulfide, iron ratio (Fe3+/Fe2+), ammonium salt (NH4+), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). The application of 16S rRNA sequencing identified 60 phyla of bacteria, dominated by Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes. Stations with higher THg or MeHg and lower microbial abundance and diversity were generally distributed further outside of the estuary. Besides mercury, the measured physicochemical factors had impacts on microbial diversities and distribution. Metagenomics assessment of three stations, representative of low, moderate, and high mercury concentrations and measured physicochemical factors, revealed the abundances and functions of predicted genes. The most abundant genes regulating the metabolic pathways were categorized as metabolic, environmental information processing, and genetic information processing, genes. At stations with high levels of mercury, the dominant genes were related to energy metabolism, signal transport, and membrane transport. Functional genes with a mercury-resistance function were generally in the mer system (merA, merC, merT, merR), alkylmercury lyase, and metal-transporting ATPase. These results offer insight into the microbial community structure of the sediments in the Yellow River Estuary and the microbial function of mercury resistance under mercury stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghua Ren
- Institute for Advanced Study of Coastal Ecology, Lu Dong University, Yantai, 264025, China.
| | - Wenliang Jiang
- Institute for Advanced Study of Coastal Ecology, Lu Dong University, Yantai, 264025, China
| | - Na Sun
- MabPlex International Co. Ltd (Worldwide), Yantai, 265500, China
| | - Junfeng Shi
- Clinical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261042, China
| | - Depu Zhang
- Institute of Marine Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Institute for Advanced Study of Coastal Ecology, Lu Dong University, Yantai, 264025, China
| | - Zhikang Wang
- Institute for Advanced Study of Coastal Ecology, Lu Dong University, Yantai, 264025, China
| | - Jisong Yang
- Institute for Advanced Study of Coastal Ecology, Lu Dong University, Yantai, 264025, China
| | - Junbao Yu
- Institute for Advanced Study of Coastal Ecology, Lu Dong University, Yantai, 264025, China
| | - Zhenbo Lv
- Institute for Advanced Study of Coastal Ecology, Lu Dong University, Yantai, 264025, China.
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Windisch J, Plessl C, Christian C, Zechmeister T, Jirsa F. Unexpected pathways of mercury in an alkaline, biologically productive, saline lake: A mesocosm approach. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 427:128163. [PMID: 34979384 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.128163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg), as one of the most frequently and globally occurring pollutants, is of major public health concern. Aquatic environments are the key compartment for Hg methylation as well as for its consequent bioaccumulation and biomagnification. This mesocosm study investigated the differences in Hg turnover, Hg distribution and bioaccumulation in two contrasting waterbodies: Panozzalacke (PL), an "average", oligotrophic European freshwater body and Lake Neusiedl (LN), an alkaline, saline, eutrophic, biologically highly productive lake. Mesocosm experiments were carried out with either water, water and sediment, and finally water, sediment and the macrophyte Ceratophyllum demersum from the respective waterbody. Hg2+ was added to the water phase and the Hg distribution over time was monitored in the compartments air, water, suspended particles, sediment and plants. The results show a much faster Hg turnover in LN compared to PL. Most striking is the significantly higher mercury bioaccumulation in macrophytes from LN and the significantly lower sedimentation rates there. We conclude that the specific physico-chemical and biological conditions in LN, e.g., alkalinity, sulfate content, dissolved carbon and high amount of particulate matter, lead to a rapid conversion of incoming mercury, accelerating bioaccumulation and potentially leading to unexpected mercury biomagnification in this lake. This has implications for other comparable waterbodies around the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Windisch
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 42, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christof Plessl
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 42, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christiane Christian
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 42, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Franz Jirsa
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 42, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006 Johannesburg, South Africa.
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5
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Wang J, Dai J, Chen G, Jiang F. Role of sulfur biogeochemical cycle in mercury methylation in estuarine sediments: A review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 423:126964. [PMID: 34523493 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Estuaries are sinks for mercury, in which the most toxic mercury form, neurotoxic methylmercury (MeHg), is produced by mercury methylators and accumulates in estuarine sediments. In the same area, the microbial sulfur cycle is triggered by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), which is considered as the main mercury methylator. In this review, we analyzed the sulfur and mercury speciation in sediments from 70 estuaries globally. Abundant mercury and sulfur species were found in the global estuarine sediments. Up to 727 μg THg/g dw and 880 ng MeHg/g dw were found in estuarine sediments, showing the serious risk of mercury to aquatic ecological systems. Significant correlations between sulfur and MeHg concentrations were discovered. Especially, the porewater sulfate concentration positively correlated to MeHg production. The sulfur cycle affects MeHg formation via activating mercury methylator activities and limiting mercury bioavailability, leading to promote or inhibit MeHg formation at different sulfur speciation concentrations. These results suggest that sulfur biogeochemical cycle plays an important role in mercury methylation in estuarine sediments, and the effect of the sulfur cycle on mercury methylation deserves to be further explored in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinting Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Technology Lab, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control and Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ji Dai
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Technology Lab, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control and Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Guanghao Chen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Technology Lab, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control and Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Feng Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Matsuyama A, Yano S, Taniguchi Y, Kindaichi M, Tada A, Wada M. Trends in mercury concentrations and methylation in Minamata Bay, Japan, between 2014 and 2018. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:112886. [PMID: 34571383 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury concentrations in Minamata Bay are high, but the cause is unclear. We conducted a basic study on the behavior of methylmercury in Minamata Bay seawater; the findings suggest that mercury methylation may occur throughout the year in Minamata Bay. Seawater temperature, salinity, and concentrations of dissolved organic carbon were the environmental factors that affected methylation, and the degree of methylation was closely related to bacterial community structure. The concentration of methylmercury in suspended particulate matter was highest 10 m below the surface and decreased with greater depths. We did not observe a correlation between methylmercury concentrations in suspended particulate matter and concentrations of dissolved methylmercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akito Matsuyama
- Department of International Affairs and Research, National Institute for Minamata Disease (NIMD), 4058-18 Hama, Minamata, Kumamoto 867-0008, Japan.
| | - Shinichiro Yano
- Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
| | - Yoko Taniguchi
- Department of International Affairs and Research, National Institute for Minamata Disease (NIMD), 4058-18 Hama, Minamata, Kumamoto 867-0008, Japan.
| | - Michiaki Kindaichi
- Department of International Affairs and Research, National Institute for Minamata Disease (NIMD), 4058-18 Hama, Minamata, Kumamoto 867-0008, Japan.
| | - Akihide Tada
- Faculty of Engineering, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan.
| | - Minoru Wada
- Faculty of Fisheries, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan.
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Yoshino K, Yamada K, Tanaka M, Tada Y, Kanaya G, Henmi Y, Yamamoto M. Subtidal benthic communities in Minamata Bay, Japan, approximately 30 years after mercury pollution remediation involving dredging disturbance. Ecol Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1703.12281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Yoshino
- Department of Environment and Public Health National Institute for Minamata Disease Kumamoto Japan
| | - Katsumasa Yamada
- Aitsu Marine Station, Center for Water Cycle, Marine Environment and Disaster Management Kumamoto University Kumamoto Japan
| | | | - Yuya Tada
- Department of Environment and Public Health National Institute for Minamata Disease Kumamoto Japan
| | - Gen Kanaya
- Center for Regional Environmental Research National Institute for Environmental Studies Ibaraki Japan
| | - Yasuhisa Henmi
- Aitsu Marine Station, Center for Water Cycle, Marine Environment and Disaster Management Kumamoto University Kumamoto Japan
| | - Megumi Yamamoto
- Department of Environment and Public Health National Institute for Minamata Disease Kumamoto Japan
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Yu C, Xiao W, Xu Y, Sun X, Li M, Lin H, Tong Y, Xie H, Wang X. Spatial-temporal characteristics of mercury and methylmercury in marine sediment under the combined influences of river input and coastal currents. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 274:129728. [PMID: 33540304 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.129728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Mercury, especially in the form of methylmercury (MeHg), is a global pollutant, and aquatic products are considered the main sources of Hg exposure to humans. The Bohai and Yellow seas are two important epicontinental seas for marine fisheries and aquaculture in China. A decreasing trend of the THg in the Yellow River Estuary toward the outer edge was reported according to 83 surface sediments (27.3 ± 15.0 ng g-1) and 3 sediment cores from the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea. The relatively higher THg levels in the central Yellow Sea can be primarily attributed to higher organic carbon levels and finer-grained sediment sizes and partly to the particulates from the riverine input of the Yellow River driven by the currents. An increasing trend in THg levels since industrialization in north China around the Bohai and Yellow seas, and a decreasing trend of Yellow River THg input in recent years were recorded by sediment cores. The spatial distribution pattern of surface sediments MeHg (161 ± 130 pg g-1) was different from that of THg. A higher MeHg content and MeHg/THg ratio were found in the Bohai and Yellow seas compared to the East China Sea, and extremely high MeHg levels (714 pg g-1) were found in the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (YSCWM) area, which is considered an important region for fishery and marine breeding, suggesting that more attention should be paid to the potential ecological and human health risks in the region due to mercury exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenghao Yu
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Wenjie Xiao
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Archaea Geo-Omics, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yunping Xu
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Xuejun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environmental Changes and Land Surface Process, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Mingyue Li
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environmental Changes and Land Surface Process, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Huiming Lin
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yindong Tong
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Han Xie
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xuejun Wang
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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Siedlewicz G, Korejwo E, Szubska M, Grabowski M, Kwasigroch U, Bełdowski J. Presence of mercury and methylmercury in Baltic Sea sediments, collected in ammunition dumpsites. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 162:105158. [PMID: 33065518 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is the most toxic and dangerous form of mercury occurring in the environment. MeHg is highly bioaccumulative in organisms and undergoes biomagnification via the food chain. In the Baltic Sea munition dumpsites, methylmercury can be formed from mercury fulminate contained in primary explosives, as environmental conditions there favour methylation. MeHg in analysed sediments ranged from 19 to 2362 pg g-1d.w., the concentration of mercury (HgTOT) ranged from 4 to 294 ng g-1 d.w., and the values of MeHg/Hg ratio ranged from 0.1 to 2.0%. The obtained results confirmed that munition dumpsites are a source of mercury. The concentration of MeHg is elevated in a wider area than immediately next to dumped munitions. Presented results suggest that physical processes responsible for sediment and near-bottom water movement are diffusing MeHg signal, making munition dumpsites rather a diffuse source of MeHg than a number of point sources associated with particular munitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Siedlewicz
- Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Ul. Powstańców Warszawy 55, Sopot, 81-712, Poland
| | - Ewa Korejwo
- Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Ul. Powstańców Warszawy 55, Sopot, 81-712, Poland
| | - Marta Szubska
- Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Ul. Powstańców Warszawy 55, Sopot, 81-712, Poland
| | - Miłosz Grabowski
- Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Ul. Powstańców Warszawy 55, Sopot, 81-712, Poland
| | - Urszula Kwasigroch
- Institute of Oceanography, University of Gdańsk, Ul. Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Jacek Bełdowski
- Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Ul. Powstańców Warszawy 55, Sopot, 81-712, Poland.
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Zhang BT, Gao Y, Lin C, Yang W, Liu T, Liu X, Wang Y. Spatial distribution of phthalate acid esters in sediments of the Laizhou Bay and its relationship with anthropogenic activities and geochemical variables. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 722:137912. [PMID: 32208266 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Spatial distribution and ecological risks of phthalate acid esters (PAEs) in sediments of the Laizhou Bay were investigated, and the relationships of PAEs with human activities and geochemical variables were studied in this work. Thirteen detectable PAEs were widespread occurrence, and the total PAE concentrations ranged from 813.1 to 11,975.6 μg/kg dry weight in sediments of the Laizhou Bay. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-butyl phthalate (DBP) were predominant and accounted for 51.9% of ΣPAEs. The major sources of PAEs with their characteristic PAE congeners or composition could be classified as riverine runoff from catchments of the Yellow River and the rivers Xiaoqing & Zhimai, and direct discharge from the west coast and Binhai Zone, according to continuous PAE spatial distribution patterns generated by GIS techniques. The concentrations of most PAEs gradually decreased from west inshore to east offshore in inverted S shapes, which was consistent with the tide field of the Laizhou Bay. There are negative correlations between sediment depth and all PAEs, and nine PAEs exhibited negative correlations with salinity using Pearson correlation analysis. Depth and salinity exerted negative influence on PAEs (contributions of 55.8% and 32.0%, respectively) according to redundancy analysis. The DBP concentrations of 15.1% sites exceeded the ERLs and only one site had the DEHP concentration exceeded environmental risk limits. The DBP risk quotient values of 11.3% (for algae), 3.8% (for crustaceans) and 43.4% (for fish) sites exceeded 1, and most of these sites are near to four major sources. These results might benefit the implementation of effective environmental management and remediation practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Tao Zhang
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Engineering Research Center of Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Yiman Gao
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Chunye Lin
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Wen Yang
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Tong Liu
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xitao Liu
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Ying Wang
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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11
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Zhang BT, Gao Y, Lin C, Liu T, Liu X, Ma Y, Wang H. Spatial distribution of phthalate acid esters in sediments and its relationships with anthropogenic activities and environmental variables of the Jiaozhou Bay. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 155:111161. [PMID: 32310100 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The spatial distribution of phthalate acid esters (PAEs) in sediments of the Jiaozhou Bay and its relationships with anthropogenic activities and environmental variables were investigated in this work. Thirteen PAEs were prevalent in sediments and the total PAE concentrations ranged from 462.1 to 15,133.2 μg/kg. The PAE concentrations increased northeastward and northwestward from the bay mouth in saddle shapes and the highest concentrations were located in the northeastern region according to the spatial distribution patterns generated by geographic information systems. The rivers were the main routes for transporting pollutants into the bay and terrigenous PAEs diluted offshore, so the PAE distribution in sediments was originated from anthropogenic activity intensity. There were strong positive correlations among PAEs with each other, except for di-n-octyl phthalate, and the average residence time (ART) exerted a significant positive impact on the PAE concentrations by Pearson correlation and redundancy analysis. The dibutyl phthalate and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate had high risks to organisms in the northeast and west regions according to the environmental risk limits and risk quotients. The results might provide new insights into the PAE researches and supply information for environmental management and remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Tao Zhang
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Engineering Research Center of Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Yiman Gao
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Chunye Lin
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Tong Liu
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Xitao Liu
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yan Ma
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Hongrui Wang
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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12
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Bjerregaard P, Schmidt TG, Mose MP. Elevated mercury concentrations in biota despite reduced sediment concentrations in a contaminated coastal area, Harboøre Tange, Denmark. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 260:113985. [PMID: 31995774 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.113985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Metals sequestered in coastal sediments are normally considered to be stable, but this investigation shows - somewhat surprisingly - that mercury concentrations in a previously contaminated area, Harboøre Tange, Denmark, have decreased since the 1980s. Mercury concentrations were determined in sediment and benthic biota and present values were compared to values in the 1980s and values from areas without known; history of mercury contamination. Concentrations in both the upper 20 cm of the sediments and; biota are considerably lower now compared to latest monitoring (1980s). Sediment. concentrations at most locations have decreased from the 100-300 ng Hg g-1 dry weight (dw) level to levels below the Background Concentration (BC) of 50 ng Hg g-1 dw defined by Oslo-Paris Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic; some stations are at the 2-10 ng Hg g-1 dw level characteristic of Danish coastal sediments with no known history of mercury contamination. Concentrations of mercury in the benthic biota along Harboøre Tange have also decreased since the 1980s but despite the lowered mercury concentrations in the sediments, concentrations in most samples of benthic invertebrate fauna still exceed those in uncontaminated coastal areas and also the Environmental Quality Standard (EQS) of 20 ng Hg g-1 wet weight (≈100 ng Hg g-1 dry weight) defined by the European Union's Water Framework Directive. Concentration ranges in selected organisms are: (Harboøre Tange l980s/Harboøre Tange now/uncontaminated areas - given in ng Hg g-1 dw): Periwinkles Littorina littorea 9000/150-450/55-77, blue mussels Mytilus edulis up to 9000/300-500/40-170, cockles Cerastoderma edule up to 8000/400-1200/200, brown shrimp Crangon crangon 700-2200/150-450/47, eelgrass Zostera marina up to 330/25-70/12. The present results - together with a literature review - show that a simple and straight forward relationship between the concentrations of mercury in sediment and benthic organisms does not necessarily exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poul Bjerregaard
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense, Denmark.
| | - Torben Grau Schmidt
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Maria Pedersen Mose
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense, Denmark
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Mao L, Liu X, Wang B, Lin C, Xin M, Zhang BT, Wu T, He M, Ouyang W. Occurrence and risk assessment of total mercury and methylmercury in surface seawater and sediments from the Jiaozhou Bay, Yellow Sea. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 714:136539. [PMID: 31981874 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The Jiaozhou Bay is a semi-enclosed bay located in the middle of the Yellow Sea. Effluents from wastewater treatment plants have been carried into the bay, which has significantly increased the deposition of mercury. The spatial distributions of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in dissolved state, in suspended matters of seawater and surface sediments at 26 locations inside the Jiaozhou Bay and five surrounding rivers in April 2018 were examined. The contents of THg and MeHg found along the eastern coast were higher than those found along the western coast, which indicated the impact of human activities (river input) on the Jiaozhou Bay. The partition coefficient (LogKd) was used to express the distribution relationships of THg and MeHg in suspended matters and dissolved state, and it was concluded that suspended matter was the main reservoir of mercury in Jiaozhou Bay seawater. The correlations between contents and physicochemical properties of seawater showed that THg and MeHg concentrations in seawater decreased with increasing salinity and pH. The effects of the mean grain diameter (MGD) and sediment organic matter (SOM) on the THg and MeHg in surface sediments were also discussed. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to obtain the factors determining the methylation proportion in the surface sediments, indicating that the combination of human activities and natural processes affected the degree of methylation in the sediments. The spatial distribution of THg, MeHg and MeHg% was suggested to be disturbed by the interaction of natural processes and human activities (river input) by the correlation analysis of the corresponding pollutant concentrations among seawater and. Although the concentrations of THg and MeHg in seawater and sediments of the Jiaozhou Bay did not exceed the Chinese regulatory standards, the pollution levels of THg and MeHg were comparable to those in other bays in the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xitao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Baodong Wang
- The First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Chunye Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Ming Xin
- The First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Bo-Tao Zhang
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Tingting Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Mengchang He
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Wei Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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14
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Sakamoto M, Itai T, Marumoto K, Marumoto M, Kodamatani H, Tomiyasu T, Nagasaka H, Mori K, Poulain AJ, Domingo JL, Horvat M, Matsuyama A. Mercury speciation in preserved historical sludge: Potential risk from sludge contained within reclaimed land of Minamata Bay, Japan. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 180:108668. [PMID: 31648069 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In the latter half of the 1950s, a large amount of methylmercury (MeHg) was discharged directly into Minamata Bay, Japan by a chemical factory, resulting in the contamination of the fish and shellfish. Ultimately, an outbreak of MeHg intoxication, called Minamata disease, occurred. From 1977 to 1988, the Kumamoto Prefectural Government dredged and transferred sediments exceeding 25 μg/g of total mercury (THg, dry basis) into a strictly segregated area of the bay near the wastewater outlet, then this area was landfilled. We conducted analyses of the mercury speciation in preserved Minamata Bay sludge samples (collected from inside of the bay prior to the termination of the remediation project; n=4) and recent Minamata Bay sediments (collected outside the dredging area of the bay; n=5) to evaluate the potential risk of the sludge/sediment leakage from the reclaimed land to the Minamata Bay. Median THg (dry basis) concentrations were 241 μg/g for the preserved sludge, 6.1 μg/g for the recent Minamata Bay sediments, and 0.18 μg/g for a single control sample; median MeHg concentrations (percentage of MeHg in THg) were 108 ng/g (0.031%), 3.7 ng/g (0.12%), and 0.71 ng/g (0.41%), respectively. In all the samples, the MeHg% decreased exponentially with increasing THg concentration. The extractability of THg from each sample into seawater was shown to be much lower than that of MeHg. The extracted MeHg was 0.86% for the preserved sludge, 4.57% for the recent Minamata Bay sediments, and 7.89% for the control. The predominant chemical form of mercury in the preserved sludge containing the highest THg concentration was found to be stable β-mercury sulfide (HgS) based on transmission electron microscopy linked with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDX) and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mineshi Sakamoto
- National Institute for Minamata Disease, Minamata, Kumamoto, 867-0008, Japan.
| | - Takaaki Itai
- Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-31, Bunkyoku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kohji Marumoto
- National Institute for Minamata Disease, Minamata, Kumamoto, 867-0008, Japan
| | - Masumi Marumoto
- National Institute for Minamata Disease, Minamata, Kumamoto, 867-0008, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Kodamatani
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, 1-21-35 Korimoto, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan
| | - Takashi Tomiyasu
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, 1-21-35 Korimoto, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan
| | | | - Keisuke Mori
- Hinokuni Benthos Laboratory, 2133-4 Sumiyoshi-cho, Uto, Kumamoto, 869-0401, Japan
| | | | - José L Domingo
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat "Rovira i Virgili", Reus, Spain
| | - Milena Horvat
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Akito Matsuyama
- National Institute for Minamata Disease, Minamata, Kumamoto, 867-0008, Japan
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Chen CF, Ju YR, Lim YC, Chen CW, Wu CH, Lin YL, Dong CD. Dry and wet seasonal variation of total mercury, inorganic mercury, and methylmercury formation in estuary and harbor sediments. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 253:109683. [PMID: 31666210 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study analyzed the seasonal variations and the spatial distributions of total mercury (THg), inorganic divalent mercury (IHg), and methylmercury (MeHg) in sediments of river mouth (RM), main channel (MC), and entrance (E) of the Port of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The THg, IHg, and MeHg concentrations were, respectively, 198-9130, 2.6-3164, and <0.3-42.6 μg/kg in the wet season and 362-2264, 11.0-790, and 3.3-65.6 μg/kg in the dry season. As for seasonal variations, the concentrations of THg and IHg for RM sediment were higher in the wet season than in the dry season, whereas for MC and E was converse. Generally, MeHg in sediment was higher in the dry season than in the wet season. THg and IHg were mainly transported from the river, whereas MeHg was generated by onsite microbes transforming the local available IHg. Results indicated that the formation of MeHg in sediment may be mainly influenced by the concentration of IHg and seasonal variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Feng Chen
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 81157, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ru Ju
- Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, National United University, Miaoli, 36063, Taiwan
| | - Yee Cheng Lim
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 81157, Taiwan
| | - Chiu-Wen Chen
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 81157, Taiwan.
| | - Chung-Hsin Wu
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 80778, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Li Lin
- Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 82445, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Di Dong
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 81157, Taiwan.
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16
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Matsuyama A, Yano S, Matsunoshita K, Kindaichi M, Tada A, Akagi H. The spatial distribution of total mercury in sediments in the Yatsushiro Sea, Japan. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 149:110539. [PMID: 31542594 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The Yatsushiro Sea in Japan is contaminated with mercury in wastewater discharge from the Chisso Company, which produced acetaldehyde from 1932 onwards. In this study, we investigated the current spatial distribution of total mercury (T-Hg) in sediments, both at the surface and at different depths, using 43 sediment cores and 22 surface sediment samples collected from the Yatsushiro Sea in August 2017. Altogether, 821 surface and core samples were analyzed for their T-Hg concentrations. Most of the mercury that was discharged from Chisso remained either in, or around the exit of, Minamata Bay, but some had been transported from Minamata Bay to the Nagashima Sea. We estimated that almost 51 and 6 tons of mercury had accumulated in the Yatsushiro and the Amakusa Sea areas, respectively. The amount of acetaldehyde produced in Chisso over time was correlated with the T-Hg concentrations in the sediments from the Yatsushiro Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akito Matsuyama
- Department of International Affairs and Research, National Institute for Minamata Disease, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata, Kumamoto 867-0008, Japan.
| | - Shinichiro Yano
- Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
| | - Kohei Matsunoshita
- Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Michiaki Kindaichi
- Department of International Affairs and Research, National Institute for Minamata Disease, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata, Kumamoto 867-0008, Japan
| | - Akihide Tada
- Faculty of Engineering, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan.
| | - Hirokatsu Akagi
- International Mercury Laboratory Inc., Minamata, Kumamoto 867-0034, Japan.
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17
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Chen CF, Ju YR, Chen CW, Dong CD. The distribution of methylmercury in estuary and harbor sediments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 691:55-63. [PMID: 31319258 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) presents high toxicity to humans and can be accumulated to organisms via the food chains. In aquatic environments, MeHg is mainly formed by microorganism using the bioavailable inorganic mercury in sediment. In this study, a total of 120 surface sediments from 20 sites in the Kaohsiung Harbor were collected quarterly in the period from July 2016 to October 2017 and analyzed for total mercury (THg), bioavailable inorganic mercury (BIHg), MeHg, and several geochemical parameters. The concentrations of THg, BIHg, and MeHg in sediment were 455-5108, 7.0-1021, and 0.84-24.1 μg/kg dw, respectively. Results indicated that the percentage of MeHg to THg (MeHg ratio) in most sediment (85%) is <1.2%. Correlation analysis showed that MeHg in sediment was mainly controlled by BIHg (r = 0.759, p < 0.01), while the concentration of BIHg in sediment was mainly related to TOC (r = 0. 480, p < 0.01) and THg (r = 0.435, p < 0.01). The relationship between total bioavailable inorganic mercury (containing BIHg and the bioavailable inorganic mercury used in the synthesis of MeHg) and MeHg concentration in the sediments that collected from the estuary, harbor channel, and the entrance was established by a Michaelis-Menten model to predict the maximum value of MeHg. The efficiency of Hg methylation in the sediments of Kaohsiung Harbor is significantly affected by the total bioavailable inorganic mercury and the related environmental factors. In addition, changes in environmental conditions caused by local seasonality should also be an important factor to consider when assessing the efficiency of Hg methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Feng Chen
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ru Ju
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan
| | - Chiu-Wen Chen
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan.
| | - Cheng-Di Dong
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan.
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18
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Zhao L, Wang R, Zhang C, Yin D, Yang S, Huang X. Geochemical controls on the distribution of mercury and methylmercury in sediments of the coastal East China Sea. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 667:133-141. [PMID: 30826674 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We examined the spatial and vertical distribution of total mercury (THg) in 119 surface sediment samples and 4 sediment cores from the coastal East China Sea. The THg concentrations (3.6-69.2 μg kg-1, average 34.7 μg kg-1) in surface sediments exhibited a decreasing trend from the inner shelf towards the outer shelf. The THg levels in sediment cores showed a significant increasing trend from the bottom to the top layer. Both the spatial and vertical distribution of THg indicates the impacts of anthropogenic inputs. The THg concentrations in the surface sediments of Yangtze River estuary were strongly correlated with sediment particle size and organic matter, governing by the Yangtze River inputs. The relatively higher THg levels in the surface sediments of southern inner shelf were attributed to the stronger binding affinity of the finer-grained sediments, the nature of organic matter, as well as local inputs. The spatial distribution of toxic methylmercury (MeHg) was distinct from THg, controlled by direct terrigenous MeHg inputs and in situ MeHg formation. The net Hg methylation potential (indicated by MeHg/THg ratio) in surface sediments were significantly influenced by both geochemical factors (DO, temperature and water depth) and the physicochemical properties of sediments (grain size, TOC, S, Fe2O3 and MnO), and exhibited the highest correlation with TOC, suggesting the key role of organic matter in governing net MeHg production. Moreover, sites with high MeHg/THg ratios mainly occurred within the summer hypoxia zones adjacent to the Yangtze River estuary, suggesting special attention on Hg ecological risks should be paid in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Rui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
| | - Chi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Daqiang Yin
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Shouye Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Xiangtong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
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Methylmercury in Industrial Harbor Sediments in Taiwan: First Observations on its Occurrence, Distribution, and Measurement. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15081765. [PMID: 30115885 PMCID: PMC6121623 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15081765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The distribution of methylmercury (MeHg) and total mercury (T-Hg) in sediments of the estuaries and the basin in Kaohsiung Harbor (Taiwan) is studied. MeHg in the sediment samples was determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The certified reference material of sediments with respect to the method showed the recovery efficiency between 97.4 and 103.6% which confirmed the applicability of analysis method. The T-Hg and MeHg concentrations were between 149 to 9035 μg/kg and <0.31 to 17.7 μg/kg, respectively. The T-Hg and MeHg concentrations in the estuaries of Kaohsiung Harbor were relatively high. Results suggest that Hg in this studied area was likely contributed from the catchments of the rivers. The MeHg level was <0.01 to 2.66% of the T-Hg in the sediments. A positive correlation is obtained between MeHg, T-Hg, and total organic carbon in the sediments, whereas a negative correlation is observed between pH, oxidation-reduction potential, and MeHg concentration. The results further suggest that sediment characteristics contribute mainly to the distribution of MeHg.
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Yang J, Takaoka M, Sano A, Matsuyama A, Yanase R. Vertical Distribution of Total Mercury and Mercury Methylation in a Landfill Site in Japan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15061252. [PMID: 29899229 PMCID: PMC6025181 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15061252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Mercury is a neurotoxin, with certain organic forms of the element being particularly harmful to humans. The Minamata Convention was adopted to reduce the intentional use and emission of mercury. Because mercury is an element, it cannot be decomposed. Mercury-containing products and mercury used for various processes will eventually enter the waste stream, and landfill sites will become a mercury sink. While landfill sites can be a source of mercury pollution, the behavior of mercury in solid waste within a landfill site is still not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to determine the depth profile of mercury, the levels of methyl mercury (MeHg), and the factors controlling methylation in an old landfill site that received waste for over 30 years. Three sampling cores were selected, and boring sampling was conducted to a maximum depth of 18 m, which reached the bottom layer of the landfill. Total mercury (THg) and MeHg were measured in the samples to determine the characteristics of mercury at different depths. Bacterial species were identified by 16S rRNA amplification and sequencing, because the methylation process is promoted by a series of genes. It was found that the THg concentration was 19–975 ng/g, with a geometric mean of 298 ng/g, which was slightly less than the 400 ng/g concentration recorded 30 years previously. In some samples, MeHg accounted for up to 15–20% of THg, which is far greater than the general level in soils and sediments, although the source of MeHg was unclear. The genetic data indicated that hgcA was present mostly in the upper and lower layers of the three cores, merA was almost as much as hgcA, while the level of merB was hundreds of times less than those of the other two genes. A significant correlation was found between THg and MeHg, as well as between MeHg and MeHg/THg. In addition, a negative correlation was found between THg and merA. The coexistence of the three genes indicated that both methylation and demethylation processes could occur, but the lack of merB was a barrier for demethylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, C-kluster, Kyotodaigakukatsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 6158540, Japan.
| | - Masaki Takaoka
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, C-kluster, Kyotodaigakukatsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 6158540, Japan.
- Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, C-kluster, Kyotodaigakukatsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 6158540, Japan.
| | - Akira Sano
- Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, C-kluster, Kyotodaigakukatsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 6158540, Japan.
| | - Akito Matsuyama
- National Institute for Minamata Disease, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata-City, Kumamoto 8670008, Japan.
| | - Ryuji Yanase
- Environmental Protection Center, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 8140180, Japan.
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21
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Matsuyama A, Yano S, Taninaka T, Kindaichi M, Sonoda I, Tada A, Akagi H. Chemical characteristics of dissolved mercury in the pore water of Minamata Bay sediments. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 129:503-511. [PMID: 29055562 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury concentrations in fish from the historically polluted Minamata Bay remain higher than in fish from other coastal seas around Japan. To obtain a better understanding of this phenomenon, the chemical characteristics of pore water from Minamata Bay sediments were investigated. Samples were taken from two stations over a 1-year period. Total average values in the pore water at the two stations for dissolved total mercury and methylmercury concentrations were 6.64±4.93 and 2.69±2.07ng/l, respectively. The pore water was centrifuged at 1000rpm to 3000rpm. The highest ratio of dissolved methylmercury to dissolved total mercury exceeded 60% for pore water centrifuged at 3000rpm. Furthermore, because total average values of Log Kd of total mercury and methylmercury in sediment (St1 and St2) were 5.42 and 2.32 (Lkg-1), methylmercury in Minamata Bay sediment is more eluted than other mercury species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akito Matsuyama
- Department of Environmental Science and Epidemiology, National Institute for Minamata Disease, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata, Kumamoto 867-0008, Japan.
| | - Shinichiro Yano
- Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
| | - Takaaki Taninaka
- Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Michiaki Kindaichi
- Environmental Chemistry Section, Department of Environmental Science and Epidemiology, National Institute for Minamata Disease, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata, Kumamoto 867-0008, Japan.
| | - Ikuko Sonoda
- Environmental Chemistry Section, Department of Environmental Science and Epidemiology, National Institute for Minamata Disease, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata, Kumamoto 867-0008, Japan
| | - Akihide Tada
- Faculty of Engineering, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan.
| | - Hirokatsu Akagi
- International Mercury Laboratory Inc., Minamata, Kumamoto 867-0034, Japan.
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García-Medina S, Galar-Martínez M, Gómez-Oliván LM, Ruiz-Lara K, Islas-Flores H, Gasca-Pérez E. Relationship between genotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by mercury on common carp (Cyprinus carpio) tissues. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2017; 192:207-215. [PMID: 28982072 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2017.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is one of the most toxic metals in aquatic systems since it is able to induce neurobehavioral disorders as well as renal and gastrointestinal tract damage. The common carp Cyprinus carpio is an important species from both an ecological and economic viewpoint as it is consumed in many countries, the top producers being Mexico, China, India and Japan. The present study aimed to evaluate the relation between Hg-induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity in diverse tissues of C. carpio. Specimens were exposed to 0.01mgHg/L (the maximum permissible limit for aquatic life protection), and lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content and the activity of antioxidant enzymes were evaluated at 96h. Micronuclei frequency and DNA damage by comet assay were determined at 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96h. Hg induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity on exposed fish, since inhibition of antioxidant enzymes activity and increases in lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and micronuclei frequency occurred. Blood, gill and liver were more susceptible to oxidative stress, while blood were more sensitive to genotoxicity. In conclusion, Hg at concentrations equal to the maximum permissible limit for aquatic life protection induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity on C. carpio, and these two effects prove to be correlated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra García-Medina
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Acuática, Sección de Graduados e Investigación, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de Ayala y Carpio s/n, 11340 México D.F., México.
| | - Marcela Galar-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Acuática, Sección de Graduados e Investigación, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de Ayala y Carpio s/n, 11340 México D.F., México.
| | - Leobardo Manuel Gómez-Oliván
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan s/n, Col. Residencial Colón, 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, México
| | - Karina Ruiz-Lara
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Acuática, Sección de Graduados e Investigación, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de Ayala y Carpio s/n, 11340 México D.F., México
| | - Hariz Islas-Flores
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan s/n, Col. Residencial Colón, 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, México
| | - Eloy Gasca-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Acuática, Sección de Graduados e Investigación, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de Ayala y Carpio s/n, 11340 México D.F., México
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