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Huang S, Wang F, Yuan T, Song Z, Wu P, Zhang Y. Modeling the Mercury Cycle in the Sea Ice Environment: A Buffer between the Polar Atmosphere and Ocean. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:14589-14601. [PMID: 37585923 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Sea ice (including overlying snow) is a dynamic interface between the atmosphere and the ocean, influencing the mercury (Hg) cycling in polar oceans. However, a large-scale and process-based model for the Hg cycle in the sea ice environment is lacking, hampering our understanding of regional Hg budget and critical processes. Here, we develop a comprehensive model for the Hg cycle at the ocean-sea ice-atmosphere interface with constraints from observational polar cryospheric data. We find that seasonal patterns of average total Hg (THg) in snow are governed by snow thermodynamics and deposition, peaking in springtime (Arctic: 5.9 ng/L; Antarctic: 5.3 ng/L) and minimizing during ice formation (Arctic: 1.0 ng/L, Antarctic: 0.5 ng/L). Arctic and Antarctic sea ice exhibited THg concentration peaks in summer (0.25 ng/L) and spring (0.28 ng/L), respectively, governed by different snow Hg transmission pathways. Antarctic snow-ice formation facilitates Hg transfer to sea ice during spring, while in the Arctic, snow Hg is primarily moved through snowmelt. Overall, first-year sea ice acts as a buffer, receiving atmospheric Hg during ice growth and releasing it to the ocean in summer, influencing polar atmospheric and seawater Hg concentrations. Our model can assess climate change effects on polar Hg cycles and evaluate the Minamata Convention's effectiveness for Arctic populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaojian Huang
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Feiyue Wang
- Centre for Earth Observation Science, and Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Tengfei Yuan
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhengcheng Song
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Peipei Wu
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yanxu Zhang
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Critical Earth Material Cycling, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
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2
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Yue F, Angot H, Blomquist B, Schmale J, Hoppe CJM, Lei R, Shupe MD, Zhan L, Ren J, Liu H, Beck I, Howard D, Jokinen T, Laurila T, Quéléver L, Boyer M, Petäjä T, Archer S, Bariteau L, Helmig D, Hueber J, Jacobi HW, Posman K, Xie Z. The Marginal Ice Zone as a dominant source region of atmospheric mercury during central Arctic summertime. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4887. [PMID: 37580358 PMCID: PMC10425351 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40660-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Atmospheric gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) concentrations in the Arctic exhibit a clear summertime maximum, while the origin of this peak is still a matter of debate in the community. Based on summertime observations during the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) expedition and a modeling approach, we further investigate the sources of atmospheric Hg in the central Arctic. Simulations with a generalized additive model (GAM) show that long-range transport of anthropogenic and terrestrial Hg from lower latitudes is a minor contribution (~2%), and more than 50% of the explained GEM variability is caused by oceanic evasion. A potential source contribution function (PSCF) analysis further shows that oceanic evasion is not significant throughout the ice-covered central Arctic Ocean but mainly occurs in the Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ) due to the specific environmental conditions in that region. Our results suggest that this regional process could be the leading contributor to the observed summertime GEM maximum. In the context of rapid Arctic warming and the observed increase in width of the MIZ, oceanic Hg evasion may become more significant and strengthen the role of the central Arctic Ocean as a summertime source of atmospheric Hg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fange Yue
- Institute of Polar Environment & Anhui Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Hélène Angot
- Extreme Environments Research Laboratory, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) Valais Wallis, Sion, Switzerland.
- Institute for Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR), University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, INRAE, IRD, Grenoble INP, IGE, 38000, Grenoble, France.
| | - Byron Blomquist
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
- NOAA, Physical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Julia Schmale
- Extreme Environments Research Laboratory, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) Valais Wallis, Sion, Switzerland
| | - Clara J M Hoppe
- Alfred Wegener Institut-Helmholtzzentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Ruibo Lei
- Key Laboratory for Polar Science of the MNR, Polar Research Institute of China, Shanghai, China
| | - Matthew D Shupe
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
- NOAA, Physical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Liyang Zhan
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of natural resources, Xiamen, China
| | - Jian Ren
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou, 310012, China
| | - Hailong Liu
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Ivo Beck
- Extreme Environments Research Laboratory, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) Valais Wallis, Sion, Switzerland
| | - Dean Howard
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
- NOAA, Physical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Tuija Jokinen
- Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR)/Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Climate & Atmosphere Research Centre (CARE-C), The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Tiia Laurila
- Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR)/Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauriane Quéléver
- Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR)/Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Matthew Boyer
- Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR)/Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuukka Petäjä
- Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR)/Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Stephen Archer
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Boothbay, ME, USA
| | - Ludovic Bariteau
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
- NOAA, Physical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Detlev Helmig
- Boulder Atmosphere Innovation Research, Boulder, CO, USA
| | | | - Hans-Werner Jacobi
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, INRAE, IRD, Grenoble INP, IGE, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Kevin Posman
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Boothbay, ME, USA
| | - Zhouqing Xie
- Institute of Polar Environment & Anhui Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China.
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Yue F, Li Y, Zhang Y, Wang L, Li D, Wu P, Liu H, Lin L, Li D, Hu J, Xie Z. Elevated methylmercury in Antarctic surface seawater: The role of phytoplankton mass and sea ice. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 882:163646. [PMID: 37094685 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury is a neurotoxin that is biomagnified in marine food webs. Its distribution and biogeochemical cycle in Antarctic seas are still poorly understood due to scarce studies. Here, we report the total methylmercury profiles (up to 4000 m) in unfiltered seawater (MeHgT) from the Ross Sea to the Amundsen Sea. We found high MeHgT levels in oxic unfiltered surface seawater (upper 50 m depth) in these regions. It was characterized by an obviously higher maximum concentration level of MeHgT (up to 0.44 pmol/L, at a depth of 3.35 m), which is higher than other open seas (including the Arctic Ocean, the North Pacific Ocean and the equatorial Pacific), and a high MeHgT average concentration in the summer surface water (SSW, 0.16 ± 0.12 pmol/ L). Further analyses suggest that the high phytoplankton mass and sea-ice fraction are important drivers of the high MeHgT level that we observed in the surface water. For the influence of phytoplankton, the model simulation showed that the uptake of MeHg by phytoplankton would not fully explain the high levels of MeHgT, and we speculated that high phytoplankton mass may emit more particulate organic matter as microenvironments that can sustain Hg in-situ methylation by microorganisms. The presence of sea-ice may not only harbor a microbial source of MeHg to surface water but also trigger increased phytoplankton mass, facilitating elevation of MeHg in surface seawater. This study provides insight into the mechanisms that impact the content and distribution of MeHgT in the Southern Ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fange Yue
- Institute of Polar Environment & Anhui Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Yanbin Li
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Yanxu Zhang
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Longquan Wang
- Institute of Polar Environment & Anhui Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Dan Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Peipei Wu
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Hongwei Liu
- Institute of Polar Environment & Anhui Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Lijin Lin
- College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Dong Li
- Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Ji Hu
- Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Zhouqing Xie
- Institute of Polar Environment & Anhui Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
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Ali E, Patel N, Patel S, Asaduzzaman A. Quantum Chemical Investigation of Snow-Mercury Interactions and Their Implication of Mercury Deposition in the Arctic. J Phys Chem A 2023; 127:2554-2563. [PMID: 36917741 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.2c08551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Elemental gaseous Hg is emitted into the atmosphere through various anthropogenic and natural processes. Mercury's different species and respective transport ranges, atmospheric physical and chemical transformations, and interaction with the earth's surfaces all contribute to the global cycling of toxic mercury. Under sunlight, halogens, ozone, and nitro species oxidize the emitted elemental Hg to gaseous Hg (II) molecules, which deposit onto the snow and ice surfaces in the Arctic. To investigate the fate of deposited mercury, a quantum chemical investigation was conducted using first-principles density functional theory (DFT) to analyze the interaction between various mercury molecules and snow clusters of differing sizes. Results show that all oxidized mercury molecules: XHgY, BrHgOX, BrHgXO XHgOH, XHgO2H, and XHgNO2, with X, Y = Cl, Br, and I atoms have thermodynamically stable interactions with snow clusters. Further, the adsorption energy of all mercury molecules increases with increasing size of snow clusters. Additionally, the orientations of deposited mercury molecules on the cluster surface also influence the mercury-snow interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emaan Ali
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- School of Science, Engineering and Technology, Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg, Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057, United States
| | - Nandini Patel
- School of Science, Engineering and Technology, Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg, Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057, United States
| | - Shrina Patel
- School of Science, Engineering and Technology, Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg, Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057, United States
| | - Abu Asaduzzaman
- School of Science, Engineering and Technology, Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg, Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057, United States
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5
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MacSween K, Stupple G, Aas W, Kyllönen K, Pfaffhuber KA, Skov H, Steffen A, Berg T, Mastromonaco MN. Updated trends for atmospheric mercury in the Arctic: 1995-2018. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 837:155802. [PMID: 35550896 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155802] [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: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The Arctic region forms a unique environment with specific physical, chemical, and biological processes affecting mercury (Hg) cycles and limited anthropogenic Hg sources. However, historic global emissions and long range atmospheric transport has led to elevated Hg in Arctic wildlife and waterways. Continuous atmospheric Hg measurements, spanning 20 years, and increased monitoring sites has allowed a more comprehensive understanding of how Arctic atmospheric mercury is changing over time. Time-series trend analysis of TGM (Total Gaseous Mercury) in air was performed from 10 circumpolar air monitoring stations, comprising of high-Arctic, and sub-Arctic sites. GOM (gaseous oxidised mercury) and PHg (particulate bound mercury) measurements were also available at 2 high-Arctic sites. Seasonal mean TGM for sub-Arctic sites were lowest during fall ranging from 1.1 ng m-3 Hyytiälä to 1.3 ng m-3, Little Fox Lake. Mean TGM concentrations at high-Arctic sites showed the greatest variability, with highest daily means in spring ranging between 4.2 ng m-3 at Amderma and 2.4 ng m-3 at Zeppelin, largely driven by local chemistry. Annual TGM trend analysis was negative for 8 of the 10 sites. High-Arctic seasonal TGM trends saw smallest decline during summer. Fall trends ranged from -0.8% to -2.6% yr-1. Across the sub-Arctic sites spring showed the largest significant decreases, ranging between -7.7% to -0.36% yr-1, while fall generally had no significant trends. High-Arctic speciation of GOM and PHg at Alert and Zeppelin showed that the timing and composition of atmospheric mercury deposition events are shifting. Alert GOM trends are increasing throughout the year, while PHg trends decreased or not significant. Zeppelin saw the opposite, moving towards increasing PHg and decreasing GOM. Atmospheric mercury trends over the last 20 years indicate that Hg concentrations are decreasing across the Arctic, though not uniformly. This is potentially driven by environmental change, such as plant productivity and sea ice dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina MacSween
- Air Quality Processes Research Section, Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch Environment and Climate Change Canada, Government of Canada, Canada.
| | - Geoff Stupple
- Air Quality Processes Research Section, Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch Environment and Climate Change Canada, Government of Canada, Canada
| | - Wenche Aas
- NILU - Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Instituttveien 18, 2027 Kjeller, Norway
| | - Katriina Kyllönen
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, Air Quality, Erik Palménin aukio 1, FI-00560 Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Henrik Skov
- Department of Environmental Science, iClimate, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Alexandra Steffen
- Air Quality Processes Research Section, Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch Environment and Climate Change Canada, Government of Canada, Canada
| | - Torunn Berg
- Norwegian University for Technology and Science, Department of Chemistry, Høgskoleringen 5, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
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Gao Z, Zheng W, Li Y, Liu Y, Wu M, Li S, Li P, Liu G, Fu X, Wang S, Wang F, Cai Y, Feng X, Gu B, Zhong H, Yin Y. Mercury transformation processes in nature: Critical knowledge gaps and perspectives for moving forward. J Environ Sci (China) 2022; 119:152-165. [PMID: 35934460 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The transformation of mercury (Hg) in the environment plays a vital role in the cycling of Hg and its risk to the ecosystem and human health. Of particular importance are Hg oxidation/reduction and methylation/demethylation processes driven or mediated by the dynamics of light, microorganisms, and organic carbon, among others. Advances in understanding those Hg transformation processes determine our capacity of projecting and mitigating Hg risk. Here, we provide a critical analysis of major knowledge gaps in our understanding of Hg transformation in nature, with perspectives on approaches moving forward. Our analysis focuses on Hg transformation processes in the environment, as well as emerging methodology in exploring these processes. Future avenues for improving the understanding of Hg transformation processes to protect ecosystem and human health are also explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Gao
- Centre for Earth Observation Science, and Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Wang Zheng
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Yanbin Li
- 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
| | - Yurong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Mengjie Wu
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shouying Li
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Guangliang Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Xuewu Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Shuxiao Wang
- School of Environment and State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Feiyue Wang
- Centre for Earth Observation Science, and Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Yong Cai
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Baohua Gu
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
| | - Huan Zhong
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China; Environmental and Life Sciences Program (EnLS), Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 0G2, Canada.
| | - Yongguang Yin
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
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Paudyal R, Kang S, Guo J, Tripathee L, Sharma CM, Huang J, Li Y, Yan F, Wang K, Chen J, Qin X, Sillanpaa M. Mercury sources and physicochemical characteristics in ice, snow, and meltwater of the Laohugou Glacier Basin, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:51530-51543. [PMID: 33987720 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14334-2] [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: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this work, samples of surface snow, surface ice, snow pit and meltwater from the Laohugou Glacier No. 12 on the northern edge of Tibetan Plateau (TP) were collected during the summer of 2015. The average concentration of Hg in surface snow/ice was 22.41 ng L-1, while the percentage of dissolved mercury (HgD) was observed to be around 26%. An altitudinal magnification of Hg was not observed for surface snow; however, in contrast, a significant positive magnification of Hg with altitude was observed in the surface ice. A higher concentration of Hg corresponded with the dust layer of the snow pit. It was observed that about 42% of Hg was lost from the surface snow when the glacier was exposed to sunlight within the first 24 h indicating some Hg was emitted back to the atmosphere while some were percolated downwards. The result from the principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the sources of Hg in Laohugou Glacier No. 12 were from crustal and biomass burning. Finally, it was estimated that total export of Hg from the outlet river of Laohugou glacier No. 12 in the year 2015 was about 1439.46 g yr-1 with yield of 22.77 μg m2 yr-1. This study provides valuable insights for understanding the behavior of Hg in the glacier of the northern Tibetan Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rukumesh Paudyal
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Donggang West Rd. 320, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Himalayan Environment Research Institute (HERI), Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Shichang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Donggang West Rd. 320, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China.
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Junming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Donggang West Rd. 320, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Lekhendra Tripathee
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Donggang West Rd. 320, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Himalayan Environment Research Institute (HERI), Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Chhatra Mani Sharma
- Himalayan Environment Research Institute (HERI), Kathmandu, Nepal
- Central Department of Environmental Science, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Jie Huang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yang Li
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Fangping Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Donggang West Rd. 320, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Laboratory of Green Chemistry, Lappeenranta University of Technology, 50130, Mikkeli, Finland
| | - Kun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Donggang West Rd. 320, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Jizu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Donggang West Rd. 320, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xiang Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Donggang West Rd. 320, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Qilian Shan Station of Glaciology and Ecological Environment, Chinese Academy of Science, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mika Sillanpaa
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, 550000, Vietnam
- Faculty of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, 550000, Vietnam
- School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, West Street, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350, Australia
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8
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Amin S, Asif T, Khan M, Usinowicz E, Mitra D, Asaduzzaman A. Structural, energetic and vibrational properties of oxidized mercury in the gas and aqueous phases. COMPUT THEOR CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.comptc.2021.113186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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9
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Chellman N, Csank A, Gustin MS, Arienzo MM, Vargas Estrada M, McConnell JR. Comparison of co-located ice-core and tree-ring mercury records indicates potential radial translocation of mercury in whitebark pine. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 743:140695. [PMID: 32679494 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tree-ring records are a potential archive for reconstructing long-term historical trends in atmospheric mercury (Hg) concentrations. Although Hg preserved in tree rings has been shown to be derived largely from the atmosphere, quantitative relationships linking atmospheric concentrations to those in tree rings are limited. In addition, few tree-ring-based Hg records have been evaluated against co-located proxies of atmospheric Hg deposition or direct atmospheric measurements. Here we develop long-term Hg records extending from 1800 to 2018 CE using cores collected from two stands of whitebark pine located near the Upper Fremont Glacier in the Wind River Range, Wyoming, where a long-term record of atmospheric Hg deposition previously was developed from an ice core. The tree ring record showed that Hg concentrations increased beginning in 1800 CE to a broad peak centered at ~1960 CE, before decreasing to present, generally paralleling the ice-core record of Hg deposition. The exact timing and magnitude of the Hg increases in the trees, however, is offset earlier relative to the ice-core record. These discrepancies potentially arise from biotic processes that impact Hg uptake and preservation in whitebark pine, and results from an advection-diffusion model indicate that the temporal differences are consistent with radial movement of Hg within the trees. The forms of atmospheric Hg and seasonality may also impact the Hg record preserved by each archive, but are less likely to affect long-term trends. Further work is needed to assess radial Hg translocation in more controlled studies with larger sample sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Chellman
- Desert Research Institute, Division of Hydrologic Sciences, Reno, NV 89512, United States; Graduate Program of Hydrologic Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, United States.
| | - Adam Csank
- Department of Geography, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, United States
| | - Mae Sexauer Gustin
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, United States
| | - Monica M Arienzo
- Desert Research Institute, Division of Hydrologic Sciences, Reno, NV 89512, United States
| | - Margarita Vargas Estrada
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, United States
| | - Joseph R McConnell
- Desert Research Institute, Division of Hydrologic Sciences, Reno, NV 89512, United States
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10
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Mir Y, Wu S, Ma M, Mangwandi C, Mirza ZA. Mercury and its form in a dammed reservoir ecosystem during the charging phase. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:37099-37113. [PMID: 32577982 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08935-6] [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: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Throughout continents, reservoirs tend to have elevated methylmercury (MeHg) concentration transformed from mercury (Hg/total Hg). This impact may be pronounced in the reservoir with less velocity of water during the charging period resulted in the deposition of sediments. In sediments on favorable conditions, methylation may be enhanced by the decomposition of flood organic material, which can release Hg and enhance microbial activity. However, much less is known about the transfer ratio of Hg and its form MeHg from sediment to biota in the hydrological reservoir during the dam charging phase. The objective of our study was to understand the interrelationship between total Hg and MeHg in two key components sediment and fish in the reservoir ecosystem. This study was performed at the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) located on upstream of the Yangtze River in China. At the TGR charging phase, during winter time, the water level was high due to blockade of water by Three Gorges Dam (TGD). Sediment and fish samples were collected in winter season for total Hg, MeHg, and several ancillary parameters. The results showed that total Hg in sediment samples of the winter season were ranged from 6.2 ± 0.001 to 193.3 ± 0.001 × 10-3 mg/kg, with an average value of 53.76 ± 51.80 × 10-3 mg/kg, and for MeHg was ranged from 12.1 ± 0.04 to 348.7 ± 0.16 × 10-2 ng/g, with an average value of 98.96 ± 93.07 × 10-2 ng/g. Total Hg and MeHg in fish samples of the winter season were from 42.48 ± 6.71 to 166 ± 52.56 ng/g, with an average value of 76.22 ± 31.23 ng/g, and from 21.09 ± 2.31 to 61.60 ± 13.30 ng/g, with an average value of 37.89 ± 11.96 ng/g. The relationship of total Hg and MeHg concentrations in fish to those of sediments from corresponding sites showed a negative relationship. This might include a strong association of total Hg with an inorganic component of sediment (e.g., bound to sulfides or coprecipitated with other metal oxides such as manganese and iron). The average concentration of fish MeHg found in this study, at rates greater than 1.72 g/day, was estimated hazardous to human health. This study concludes sediment was acting as sequestrate for total Hg and MeHg in TGR. The bioaccumulation of total Hg and MeHg in fish was not controlled by sediment further investigation about pathological routes and dietary habits of fish needed to be identified for total Hg and MeHg study in TGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaseen Mir
- Key Laboratory of Reservoir Aquatic Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shengjun Wu
- Key Laboratory of Reservoir Aquatic Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China
| | - Maohua Ma
- Key Laboratory of Reservoir Aquatic Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China
| | - Chirangano Mangwandi
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, David Kier Building, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5AG, UK
| | - Zakaria Ahmed Mirza
- Key Laboratory of Reservoir Aquatic Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China.
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11
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Li C, Chen J, Angot H, Zheng W, Shi G, Ding M, Du Z, Zhang Q, Ma X, Kang S, Xiao C, Ren J, Qin D. Seasonal Variation of Mercury and Its Isotopes in Atmospheric Particles at the Coastal Zhongshan Station, Eastern Antarctica. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:11344-11355. [PMID: 32822538 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c04462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a globally spread trace metal due to its long atmospheric residence time. Yet, our understanding of atmospheric processes (e.g., redox reactions and deposition) driving Hg cycling is still limited, especially in polar regions. The Antarctic continent, by virtue of its remoteness, is the perfect location to investigate Hg atmospheric processes in the absence of significant local anthropogenic impact. Here, we present the first 2 year record (2016-2017) of total suspended particulate mercury (PHg) concentrations along with a year-round determination of an Hg stable isotopic composition in particles collected at Zhongshan Station (ZSS), eastern Antarctic coast. The mean PHg concentration is 21.8 ± 32.1 pg/m3, ranging from 0.9 to 195.6 pg/m3, and peaks in spring and summer. The negative mass-independent fractionation of odd Hg isotopes (odd-MIF, average -0.38 ± 0.12‰ for Δ199Hg) and the slope of Δ199Hg/Δ201Hg with 0.91 ± 0.12 suggest that the springtime isotope variation of PHg is likely caused by in situ photo-oxidation and reduction reactions. On the other hand, the increase of PHg concentrations and the observed odd-MIF values in summer are attributed to the transport by katabatic winds of divalent species derived from the oxidation of elemental Hg in the inland Antarctic Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanjin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000,China
| | - Jiubin Chen
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Hélène Angot
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Wang Zheng
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Guitao Shi
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences and State Key Lab of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
- Polar Research Institute of China, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Minghu Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000,China
- Institute of Tibetan Plateau and Polar Regions Meteorology, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Zhiheng Du
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000,China
| | - Qianggong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiangyu Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000,China
| | - Shichang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000,China
| | - Cunde Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000,China
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jiawen Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000,China
| | - Dahe Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000,China
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12
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Lyman SN, Cheng I, Gratz LE, Weiss-Penzias P, Zhang L. An updated review of atmospheric mercury. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 707:135575. [PMID: 31784172 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The atmosphere is a key component of the biogeochemical cycle of mercury, acting as a reservoir, transport mechanism, and facilitator of chemical reactions. The chemical and physical behavior of atmospheric mercury determines how, when, and where emitted mercury pollution impacts ecosystems. In this review, we provide current information about what is known and what remains uncertain regarding mercury in the atmosphere. We discuss new ambient, laboratory, and theoretical information about the chemistry of mercury in various atmospheric media. We review what is known about mercury in and on solid- and liquid-phase aerosols. We present recent findings related to wet and dry deposition and spatial and temporal trends in atmospheric mercury concentrations. We also review atmospheric measurement methods that are in wide use and those that are currently under development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth N Lyman
- Bingham Research Center, Utah State University, 320 N Aggie Blvd., Vernal, UT, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, 4820 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, USA.
| | - Irene Cheng
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 4905 Dufferin St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lynne E Gratz
- Environmental Studies Program, Colorado College, 14 East Cache la Poudre St., Colorado Springs, CO, USA
| | - Peter Weiss-Penzias
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High St, Santa Cruz, CA, USA; Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High St, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Leiming Zhang
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 4905 Dufferin St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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13
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Gao Y, Marsay CM, Yu S, Fan S, Mukherjee P, Buck CS, Landing WM. Particle-Size Variability of Aerosol Iron and Impact on Iron Solubility and Dry Deposition Fluxes to the Arctic Ocean. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16653. [PMID: 31723149 PMCID: PMC6853967 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52468-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
This study provides unique insights into the properties of iron (Fe) in the marine atmosphere over the late summertime Arctic Ocean. Atmospheric deposition of aerosols can deliver Fe, a limiting micronutrient, to the remote ocean. Aerosol particle size influences aerosol Fe fractional solubility and air-to-sea deposition rate. Size-segregated aerosols were collected during the 2015 US GEOTRACES cruise in the Arctic Ocean. Results show that aerosol Fe had a single-mode size distribution, peaking at 4.4 µm in diameter, suggesting regional dust sources of Fe around the Arctic Ocean. Estimated dry deposition rates of aerosol Fe decreased from 6.1 µmol m−2 yr−1 in the areas of ~56°N–80°N to 0.73 µmol m−2 yr−1 in the areas north of 80°N. Aerosol Fe solubility was higher in fine particles (<1 µm) which were observed mainly in the region north of 80°N and coincided with relatively high concentrations of certain organic aerosols, suggesting interactions between aerosol Fe and organic ligands in the high-latitude Arctic atmosphere. The average molar ratio of Fe to titanium (Ti) was 2.4, substantially lower than the typical crustal ratio of 10. We speculate that dust sources around the Arctic Ocean may have been altered because of climate warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Gao
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA.
| | - Christopher M Marsay
- Skidaway Institute of Oceanography University of Georgia, Savannah, GA, 31411, USA
| | - Shun Yu
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Songyun Fan
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Pami Mukherjee
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Clifton S Buck
- Skidaway Institute of Oceanography University of Georgia, Savannah, GA, 31411, USA
| | - William M Landing
- Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
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14
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Wasiuta V, Kirk JL, Chambers PA, Alexander AC, Wyatt FR, Rooney RC, Cooke CA. Accumulating Mercury and Methylmercury Burdens in Watersheds Impacted by Oil Sands Pollution. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:12856-12864. [PMID: 31621313 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b02373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Bitumen mining and upgrading in northeastern Alberta, Canada, releases toxic pollutants into the atmosphere, including mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg). This Hg and MeHg is then deposited to the surrounding landscape; however, the fate of these contaminants remains unknown. Here, we compare snowpack chemistry to high-frequency measurements of river water quality across six watersheds (five impacted by oil sands development and one unimpacted). Catchment scale snowpack Hg and MeHg loads normalized to watershed area were highest near oil sands operations. River water Hg concentrations and loads tracked discharge and tended to be higher downstream of mining operations, while MeHg concentrations and loads increased through the summer, reflecting peak summer MeHg production rates. Except in the reference watershed, snowpack Hg and MeHg loads equaled or exceeded the amount of Hg and MeHg exported during freshet and, in some cases, the entire hydrologic year. This suggests landscapes across the oil sands region, which are dominated by low-relief wetlands and other shallow-water systems, are accumulating Hg and MeHg. Importantly, during years of high discharge, these low-relief systems appear to become better connected and flush MeHg (and Hg) from the watershed. Thus, these watersheds may act as temporary, rather than as permanent, natural repositories of oil sands contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Wasiuta
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences , University of Alberta , 1-26 Earth Sciences Building , Edmonton , Alberta , Canada T6G 2E3
| | - Jane L Kirk
- Water Science and Technology Directorate , Environment and Climate Change Canada , 867 Lakeshore Road , Burlington , Ontario , Canada L7R 4A6
| | - Patricia A Chambers
- Water Science and Technology Directorate , Environment and Climate Change Canada , 867 Lakeshore Road , Burlington , Ontario , Canada L7R 4A6
| | - Alexa C Alexander
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Department of Biology , University of New Brunswick , 10 Bailey Drive , Fredericton , New Brunswick , Canada , E3B 5A3
| | - Faye R Wyatt
- Environmental Monitoring and Science Division , Alberta Environment and Parks , 9888 Jasper Avenue , Edmonton , Alberta , Canada T5J5C6
| | - Rebecca C Rooney
- Department of Biology , University of Waterloo , ESC 350, 200 University Avenue , Waterloo , Ontario , Canada , N2L 3G1
| | - Colin A Cooke
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences , University of Alberta , 1-26 Earth Sciences Building , Edmonton , Alberta , Canada T6G 2E3
- Environmental Monitoring and Science Division , Alberta Environment and Parks , 9888 Jasper Avenue , Edmonton , Alberta , Canada T5J5C6
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15
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Zou H, Cui W, Wang ZL, Wang Z. The hitchhiker's guide to core samples: Key issues and lessons learned. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 685:867-885. [PMID: 31247435 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Core samples may be used as valuable geochronometers for storing historical pollution footprints of organic pollutants. A number of studies have used core samples to evaluate temporal depositions, loading inventories, and effectiveness of environmental mitigation measures. However, in order to get a reliable estimation, certain prerequisites must be satisfied to rule out various confounding factors such as biomixing and melting. This review aims to understand when core samples can or cannot be used as natural archives for organic pollutants. First, we systematically review existing studies of organic pollutants in soil, sediment and ice cores and possible factors that may influence post-depositional fate of chemicals. Then, building on field evidence, model simulation and laboratory leaching tests findings, we discuss issues of post-depositional downward movement in detail. To assist future core sample studies, we summarize lessons learned on study design in the context of sampling design, data analysis, and data reporting. In particular, the combination of a careful study design and appropriate numerical model(s) will help to elevate core samples as a more reliable tool for retrospective understanding of chemical pollution. This review is an initial step toward a better and more accurate use of core samples, and further interdisciplinary cooperation is needed to develop standardized protocols, guidelines and tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Zou
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment, Tianjin Normal University, 300387 Tianjin, PR China
| | - Wanqi Cui
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment, Tianjin Normal University, 300387 Tianjin, PR China
| | - Zhong-Liang Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment, Tianjin Normal University, 300387 Tianjin, PR China.
| | - Zhanyun Wang
- Ecological Systems Design, Institute of Environmental Engineering (IfU), ETH Zurich, John-von-Neumann-Weg 9, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
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16
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Zhang Q, Sun X, Sun S, Yin X, Huang J, Cong Z, Kang S. Understanding Mercury Cycling in Tibetan Glacierized Mountain Environment: Recent Progress and Remaining Gaps. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2019; 102:672-678. [PMID: 30643930 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-019-02541-0] [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: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Glacierized mountain environments can preserve and release mercury (Hg) and play an important role in regional Hg cycling. In the Tibetan Plateau (TP), most glaciers have been retreating at unprecedented rate in recent decades, acting as one of the most active factors in regional hydrological cycling. In this mini-review, we summarized recent studies on Hg distribution, transport, and accumulation in Tibetan glacierized environments. We highlight that melting glacier may represent a stimulator that exports Hg to glacier-fed ecosystems. We identified major knowledge gaps and proposed future research needs with several emphases, including quantifying Hg in glacier ablation zone, depicting Hg transport and transformation in glacial rivers during spring melt season, and better constraining glacier-export Hg and its environmental risks to the downstream. Besides, Hg isotopic technical, passive sampling and hydrological transport model should be utilized to improve the understanding of Hg cycling in high mountain regions in the TP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianggong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Xuejun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101, China
- University of CAS, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shiwei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- University of CAS, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiufeng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- University of CAS, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jie Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhiyuan Cong
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Shichang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
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17
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Sun S, Kang S, Guo J, Zhang Q, Paudyal R, Sun X, Qin D. Insights into mercury in glacier snow and its incorporation into meltwater runoff based on observations in the southern Tibetan Plateau. J Environ Sci (China) 2018; 68:130-142. [PMID: 29908732 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2018.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is recognized as "Water Tower of Asia". Yet our understanding of mechanisms influencing incorporation of mercury (Hg) into freshwater in mountain glaciers on the TP remains quite limited. Extensive sampling of environmental matrices (e.g., snow/ice) were conducted on the East Rongbuk glacier on Mt. Everest and Zhadang glacier on Mt. Nyainqentanglha for Hg speciation analysis. Speciated Hg behaved quite different during snowmelt: a preferential early release of DHg (dissolved Hg) was observed at the onset of snowmelt, whereas PHg (particulate-bound Hg) and THg (total Hg) become relatively enriched in snow and released later. Small fraction of Hg in snow was lost during a snowmelt day (18.9%-34.7%) with a large proportion (58.1%-87.3%) contributed by PHg decrease, indicating that the deposited Hg is most likely retained in glacier snow/ice. Furthermore, THg were positively correlated with PHg and crustal major ions (e.g., Ca2+, Mg2+) during snowmelt, indicating that Hg is mainly migrated with particulates. The main pathway of Hg loss during snowmelt was most probably associated with release of PHg with meltwater, which was greatly influenced by ablation intensity of snow/ice. This should be paid particular concern as Hg preserved in mountain glaciers will mostly enter aquatic ecosystem as climate warms, impacting on downstream ecosystems adversely. Obvious decrease of THg during the downstream transport from glacier was observed with a large proportion contributed by PHg decrease. The main removal mechanism of Hg was associated with sedimentation of PHg during the transport process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiwei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shichang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Junming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qianggong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Rukumesh Paudyal
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xuejun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dahe Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
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18
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Chételat J, Richardson MC, MacMillan GA, Amyot M, Poulain AJ. Ratio of Methylmercury to Dissolved Organic Carbon in Water Explains Methylmercury Bioaccumulation Across a Latitudinal Gradient from North-Temperate to Arctic Lakes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:79-88. [PMID: 29172471 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b04180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We investigated monomethylmercury (MMHg) bioaccumulation in lakes across a 30° latitudinal gradient in eastern Canada to test the hypothesis that climate-related environmental conditions affect the sensitivity of Arctic lakes to atmospheric mercury contamination. Aquatic invertebrates (chironomid larvae, zooplankton) provided indicators of MMHg bioaccumulation near the base of benthic and planktonic food chains. In step with published data showing latitudinal declines in atmospheric mercury deposition in Canada, we observed lower total mercury concentrations in water and sediment of higher latitude lakes. Despite latitudinal declines of inorganic mercury exposure, MMHg bioaccumulation in aquatic invertebrates did not concomitantly decline. Arctic lakes with greater MMHg in aquatic invertebrates either had (1) higher water MMHg concentrations (reflecting ecosystem MMHg production) or (2) low water concentrations of MMHg, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), chlorophyll, and total nitrogen (reflecting lake sensitivity). The MMHg:DOC ratio of surface water was a strong predictor of lake sensitivity to mercury contamination. Bioaccumulation factors for biofilms and seston in Arctic lakes showed more efficient uptake of MMHg in low DOC systems. Environmental conditions associated with low biological production in Arctic lakes and their watersheds increased the sensitivity of lakes to MMHg.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Chételat
- National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change Canada , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0H3
| | - Murray C Richardson
- Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Gwyneth A MacMillan
- Centre d'études nordiques, Département de sciences biologiques, Université de Montréal , Montréal, Quebec, Canada H2V 2S9
| | - Marc Amyot
- Centre d'études nordiques, Département de sciences biologiques, Université de Montréal , Montréal, Quebec, Canada H2V 2S9
| | - Alexandre J Poulain
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 6N5
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19
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Paudyal R, Kang S, Huang J, Tripathee L, Zhang Q, Li X, Guo J, Sun S, He X, Sillanpää M. Insights into mercury deposition and spatiotemporal variation in the glacier and melt water from the central Tibetan Plateau. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 599-600:2046-2053. [PMID: 28558426 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Revised: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Long-term monitoring of global pollutant such as Mercury (Hg) in the cryosphere is very essential for understanding its bio-geochemical cycling and impacts in the pristine environment with limited emission sources. Therefore, from May 2015 to Oct 2015, surface snow and snow-pits from Xiao Dongkemadi Glacier and glacier melt water were sampled along an elevation transect from 5410 to 5678m a.s.l. in the central Tibetan Plateau (TP). The concentration of Hg in surface snow was observed to be higher than that from other parts of the TP. Unlike the southern parts of the TP, no clear altitudinal variation was observed in the central TP. The peak Total Hg (HgT) concentration over the vertical profile on the snow pits corresponded with a distinct yellowish-brown dust layer supporting the fact that most of the Hg was associated with particulate matter. It was observed that only 34% of Hg in snow was lost when the surface snow was exposed to sunlight indicating that the surface snow is less influenced by the post-depositional process. Significant diurnal variation of HgT concentration was observed in the river water, with highest concentration observed at 7pm when the discharge was highest and lowest concentration during 7-8am when the discharge was lowest. Such results suggest that the rate of discharge was influential in the concentration of HgT in the glacier fed rivers of the TP. The estimated export of HgT from Dongkemadi river basin is 747.43gyr-1, which is quite high compared to other glaciers in the TP. Therefore, the export of global contaminant Hg might play enhanced role in the Alpine regions as these glaciers are retreating at an alarming rate under global warming which may have adverse impact on the ecosystem and the human health of the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rukumesh Paudyal
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Himalayan Environment Research Institute (HERI), Kathmandu, Nepal; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shichang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Jie Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Lekhendra Tripathee
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Himalayan Environment Research Institute (HERI), Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Qianggong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Xiaofei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Tanggula Cryosphere and Environment Observation Station, State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Junming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Shiwei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaobo He
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Tanggula Cryosphere and Environment Observation Station, State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Mika Sillanpää
- Laboratory of Green Chemistry, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Sammonkatu 12, FI-50130 Mikkeli, Finland
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20
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Eyrikh S, Eichler A, Tobler L, Malygina N, Papina T, Schwikowski M. A 320 Year Ice-Core Record of Atmospheric Hg Pollution in the Altai, Central Asia. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:11597-11606. [PMID: 28920689 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b03140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic emissions of the toxic heavy metal mercury (Hg) have substantially increased atmospheric Hg levels during the 20th century compared to preindustrial times. However, on a regional scale, atmospheric Hg concentration or deposition trends vary to such an extent during the industrial period that the consequences of recent Asian emissions on atmospheric Hg levels are still unclear. Here we present a 320 year Hg deposition history for Central Asia, based on a continuous high-resolution ice-core Hg record from the Belukha glacier in the Siberian Altai, covering the time period 1680-2001. Hg concentrations and deposition fluxes start rising above background levels at the beginning of the 19th century due to emissions from gold/silver mining and Hg production. A steep increase occurs after the 1940s culminating during the 1970s, at the same time as the maximum Hg use in consumer products in Europe and North America. After a distinct decrease in the 1980s, Hg levels in the 1990s and beginning of the 2000s return to their maximum values, which we attribute to increased Hg emissions from Asia. Thus, rising Hg emissions from coal combustion and artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Asian countries determine recent atmospheric Hg levels in Central Asia, counteracting emission reductions due to control measures in Europe and North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Eyrikh
- Institute for Water and Environmental Problems, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences , Barnaul 656038, Russia
| | - Anja Eichler
- Paul Scherrer Institut , CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
- Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern , 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Leonhard Tobler
- Paul Scherrer Institut , CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
- Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern , 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Natalia Malygina
- Institute for Water and Environmental Problems, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences , Barnaul 656038, Russia
| | - Tatyana Papina
- Institute for Water and Environmental Problems, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences , Barnaul 656038, Russia
| | - Margit Schwikowski
- Paul Scherrer Institut , CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
- Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern , 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Department for Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern , Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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21
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Jiao Y, Dibble TS. Structures, Vibrational Frequencies, and Bond Energies of the BrHgOX and BrHgXO Species Formed in Atmospheric Mercury Depletion Events. J Phys Chem A 2017; 121:7976-7985. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.7b06829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuge Jiao
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, New York 13210, United States
| | - Theodore S. Dibble
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, New York 13210, United States
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22
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Douglas TA, Sturm M, Blum JD, Polashenski C, Stuefer S, Hiemstra C, Steffen A, Filhol S, Prevost R. A Pulse of Mercury and Major Ions in Snowmelt Runoff from a Small Arctic Alaska Watershed. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:11145-11155. [PMID: 28851224 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b03683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric mercury (Hg) is deposited to Polar Regions during springtime atmospheric mercury depletion events (AMDEs) that require halogens and snow or ice surfaces. The fate of this Hg during and following snowmelt is largely unknown. We measured Hg, major ions, and stable water isotopes from the snowpack through the entire spring melt runoff period for two years. Our small (2.5 ha) watershed is near Barrow (now Utqiaġvik), Alaska. We measured discharge, made 10 000 snow depths, and collected over 100 samples of snow and meltwater for chemical analysis in 2008 and 2009 from the watershed snowpack and ephemeral stream channel. Results show an "ionic pulse" of mercury and major ions in runoff during both snowmelt seasons, but major ion and Hg runoff concentrations were roughly 50% higher in 2008 than in 2009. Though total discharge as a percent of total watershed snowpack water equivalent prior to the melt was similar in both years (36% in 2008 melt runoff and 34% in 2009), it is possible that record low precipitation in the summer of 2007 led to the higher major ion and Hg concentrations in 2008 melt runoff. Total dissolved Hg meltwater runoff of 14.3 (± 0.7) mg/ha in 2008 and 8.1 (± 0.4) mg/ha in 2009 is five to seven times higher than that reported from other arctic watersheds. We calculate 78% of snowpack Hg was exported with snowmelt runoff in 2008 and 41% in 2009. Our results suggest AMDE Hg complexed with Cl- or Br- may be less likely to be photochemically reduced and re-emitted to the atmosphere prior to snowmelt, and we estimate that roughly 25% of the Hg in snowmelt is attributable to AMDEs. Projected Arctic warming, with more open sea ice leads providing halogen sources that promote AMDEs, may provide enhanced Hg deposition, reduced Hg emission and, ultimately, an increase in snowpack and snowmelt runoff Hg concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Douglas
- U.S. Army Cold Regions Research & Engineering Laboratory , PO Box 35170, Fort Wainwright, Alaska 99703, United States
| | - Matthew Sturm
- Geophysical Institute University of Alaska Fairbanks , Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, United States
| | - Joel D Blum
- Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, 48109, United States
| | - Christopher Polashenski
- U.S. Army Cold Regions Research & Engineering Laboratory , PO Box 35170, Fort Wainwright, Alaska 99703, United States
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College , 14 Engineering Drive, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, United States
| | - Svetlana Stuefer
- College of Engineering and Mines, University of Alaska Fairbanks , Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, United States
| | - Christopher Hiemstra
- U.S. Army Cold Regions Research & Engineering Laboratory , PO Box 35170, Fort Wainwright, Alaska 99703, United States
| | - Alexandra Steffen
- Environment and Climate Change Canada 4905 Dufferin Street, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Simon Filhol
- U.S. Army Cold Regions Research & Engineering Laboratory , PO Box 35170, Fort Wainwright, Alaska 99703, United States
- Geophysical Institute University of Alaska Fairbanks , Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, United States
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23
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Wiklund JA, Kirk JL, Muir DCG, Evans M, Yang F, Keating J, Parsons MT. Anthropogenic mercury deposition in Flin Flon Manitoba and the Experimental Lakes Area Ontario (Canada): A multi-lake sediment core reconstruction. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 586:685-695. [PMID: 28238379 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.02.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 02/05/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
High-resolution records of anthropogenic mercury (Hg) deposition were constructed from 9 lakes located 5-75km from the Flin Flon, Manitoba smelter (formerly one of North America's largest atmospheric Hg point sources) and 5 lakes in Experimental Lakes Area (ELA), Ontario; a region remote from major Hg point sources. Anthropogenic Hg deposition, as both a flux and inventory, was determined after accounting for lake-specific natural Hg background concentrations, changes in sedimentation and sediment focusing. Results show that records of anthropogenic flux and inventory of Hg were remarkably consistent among the ELA lakes, but varied by 2 orders of magnitude among Flin Flon lakes. The relation between Hg inventories (normalized for prevailing wind direction) and distance from the smelter was used to estimate the total Hg fallout within a 50km radius in 5year time-steps, thus providing a quantitative spatial-temporal Hg depositional history for the Flin Flon region. The same relation solved for 8 cardinal directions weighted by the inverse of the previously applied wind direction normalization generates a map of Hg inventory and deposition on the landscape (Supplementary video). This novel application of sediment core data constructs a landscape model and allows for a visualization of contaminant deposition with respect to a point major source in both space and time. The propensity for Hg to undergo long-range, even global transport explains why Hg deposition within 50km of Flin Flon was ~11% of estimated releases. That is until smelter releases were reduced >10-fold (post-2000), after which observed deposition exceeded smelter releases, suggesting landscape re-emission/remobilization of legacy Hg is a major ongoing regional source of Hg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan A Wiklund
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada.
| | - Jane L Kirk
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Derek C G Muir
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Marlene Evans
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment Canada, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Fan Yang
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Jonathan Keating
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment Canada, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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24
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Han Y, Huh Y, Hur SD, Hong S, Chung JW, Motoyama H. Net deposition of mercury to the Antarctic Plateau enhanced by sea salt. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 583:81-87. [PMID: 28126282 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 01/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Photochemically driven mercury (Hg) exchange between the atmosphere and the Antarctic Plateau snowpack has been observed. An imbalance in bidirectional flux causes a fraction of Hg to remain in the snowpack perennially, but the factors that control the amount of Hg sequestered on the Antarctic Plateau are not fully understood. We analyzed sub-annual variations in total Hg (HgT) deposition to Dome Fuji over the period of 1986-2010 using cold vapor inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and compared concentrations with those of sea salt components (Na+ and Cl-). HgT ranged from 0.12 to 5.19pgg-1 (n=78) and was relatively high when the Na+ concentrations were high in the same or underlying snow layers. A significant correlation (r=0.7) was found between the annual deposition fluxes of HgT and Na+. Despite different origins and behavior of Hg and sea salt, the near-synchronous increases in the concentrations and correlation between the fluxes suggest that sea salt can intervene in the air-snow Hg exchange and promote the net deposition of Hg in the Antarctic Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeongcheol Han
- Korea Polar Research Institute, 26 Songdomirae-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea; School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
| | - Youngsook Huh
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon Do Hur
- Korea Polar Research Institute, 26 Songdomirae-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungmin Hong
- Department of Ocean Sciences, Inha University, 100 Inha-ro, Nam-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Woong Chung
- Korea Polar Research Institute, 26 Songdomirae-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Hideaki Motoyama
- National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3, Midori-cho, Tachikawa-shi, Tokyo 190-8518, Japan
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25
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Sun X, Wang K, Kang S, Guo J, Zhang G, Huang J, Cong Z, Sun S, Zhang Q. The role of melting alpine glaciers in mercury export and transport: An intensive sampling campaign in the Qugaqie Basin, inland Tibetan Plateau. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 220:936-945. [PMID: 27823861 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.10.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Glaciers, particularly alpine glaciers, have been receding globally at an accelerated rate in recent decades. The glacial melt-induced release of pollutants (e.g., mercury) and its potential impact on the atmosphere and glacier-fed ecosystems has drawn increasing concerns. During 15th-20th August, 2011, an intensive sampling campaign was conducted in Qugaqie Basin (QB), a typical high mountain glacierized catchment in the inland Tibetan Plateau, to investigate the export and transport of mercury from glacier to runoff. The total mercury (THg) level in Zhadang (ZD) glacier ranged from <1 to 20.8 ng L-1, and was slightly higher than levels measured in glacier melt water and the glacier-fed river. Particulate Hg (PHg) was the predominant form of Hg in all sampled environmental matrices. Mercury concentration in Qugaqie River (QR) was characterized by a clear diurnal variation which is linked to glacier melt. The estimated annual Hg exports by ZD glacier, the upper river basin and the entire QB were 8.76, 7.3 and 157.85 g, respectively, with respective yields of 4.61, 0.99 and 2.74 μg m-2 yr-1. Unique landforms and significant gradients from the glacier terminus to QB estuary might promote weathering and erosion, thereby controlling the transport of total suspended particulates (TSP) and PHg. In comparison with other glacier-fed rivers, QB has a small Hg export yet remarkably high Hg yield, underlining the significant impact of melting alpine glaciers on regional Hg biogeochemical cycles. Such impacts are expected to be enhanced in high altitude regions under the changing climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; University of CAS, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Kang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; Center for Earth Observation Science, Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Shichang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, CAS, 730000 Lanzhou, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Junming Guo
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; University of CAS, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guoshuai Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jie Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zhiyuan Cong
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shiwei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, CAS, 730000 Lanzhou, China; University of CAS, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qianggong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
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26
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Nerentorp Mastromonaco MG, Gårdfeldt K, Langer S, Dommergue A. Seasonal Study of Mercury Species in the Antarctic Sea Ice Environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:12705-12712. [PMID: 27780352 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b02700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Limited studies have been conducted on mercury concentrations in the polar cryosphere and the factors affecting the distribution of mercury within sea ice and snow are poorly understood. Here we present the first comprehensive seasonal study of elemental and total mercury concentrations in the Antarctic sea ice environment covering data from measurements in air, sea ice, seawater, snow, frost flowers, and brine. The average concentration of total mercury in sea ice decreased from winter (9.7 ng L-1) to spring (4.7 ng L-1) while the average elemental mercury concentration increased from winter (0.07 ng L-1) to summer (0.105 ng L-1). The opposite trends suggest potential photo- or dark oxidation/reduction processes within the ice and an eventual loss of mercury via brine drainage or gas evasion of elemental mercury. Our results indicate a seasonal variation of mercury species in the polar sea ice environment probably due to varying factors such as solar radiation, temperature, brine volume, and atmospheric deposition. This study shows that the sea ice environment is a significant interphase between the polar ocean and the atmosphere and should be accounted for when studying how climate change may affect the mercury cycle in polar regions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katarina Gårdfeldt
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology , SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Sarka Langer
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute , P.O. Box 53021, SE-400 14 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Aurélien Dommergue
- Laboratoire de Glaciologie et Géophysique de l'Environnement, CNRS, UMR 5183 - Université Joseph Fourier Grenoble , 54 Rue Molière, 38400 St Martin d'Hères, France
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27
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Wang J, Zhang L, Xie Z. Total gaseous mercury along a transect from coastal to central Antarctic: Spatial and diurnal variations. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2016; 317:362-372. [PMID: 27318733 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.05.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Total gaseous mercury (TGM) in the atmospheric boundary layer was investigated along a transect from coastal (Zhongshan Station; 69°22'25″S, 76°22'14″E) to central (Kunlun Station; 80°25'2″S, 77°6'47″E) Antarctic from December 16, 2012 to February 6, 2013. TGM varied considerably from 0.32 to 2.34ngm(-3) with a mean value of 0.91ngm(-3). Spatially, relatively high values occurred near the coastal region and on the central plateau with altitude higher than 3000m above sea level. This distribution pattern cannot be accounted for simply by the influence of mercury emission from the ocean. Changes in TGM were also found to be related to the topography. TGM was higher in the inland flat region (290-800km from the coast) than in the inland transition zones with steep slopes (800-1000km from the coast). Temporally, diurnal cycling of TGM was clearly observed at Kunlun Station, with the lowest value occurring typically at midnight, and the peak value at midday. This diurnal pattern was attributed to the reemission of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) from the snow pack, the oxidization of GEM and convective mixing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiancheng Wang
- Institute of Polar Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Lulu Zhang
- Institute of Polar Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Zhouqing Xie
- Institute of Polar Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; Center for Excellence in Urban Atmospheric Environment, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China.
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28
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Zhang Q, Kang S. Comment on "Ice Core Perspective on Mercury Pollution during the Past 600 Years". ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:1065-1067. [PMID: 26709733 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b04320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Qianggong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100101, P.R. China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing 100101, P.R. China
- PSI, Paul Scherrer Institute, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Shichang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing 100101, P.R. China
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29
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Mann EA, Mallory ML, Ziegler SE, Avery TS, Tordon R, O'Driscoll NJ. Photoreducible Mercury Loss from Arctic Snow Is Influenced by Temperature and Snow Age. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:12120-12126. [PMID: 26371502 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b01589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is an important environmental contaminant, due to its neurotoxicity and ability to bioaccumulate. The Arctic is a mercury-sensitive region, where organisms can accumulate high Hg concentrations. Snowpack mercury photoredox reactions may control how much Hg is transported with melting Arctic snow. This work aimed to (1) determine the significance of temperature combined with UV irradiation intensity and snow age on Hg(0) flux from Arctic snow and (2) elucidate the effect of temperature on snowpack Hg photoreduction kinetics. Using a Teflon flux chamber, snow temperature, UV irradiation, and snow age were found to significantly influence Hg(0) flux from Arctic snow. Cross-correlation analysis results suggest that UV radiation has a direct effect on Hg(0)flux, while temperature may indirectly influence flux. Laboratory experiments determined that temperature influenced Hg photoreduction kinetics when snow approached the melting point (>-2 °C), where the pseudo-first-order reduction rate constant, k, decreased twofold, and the photoreduced Hg amount, Hg(II)red, increased 10-fold. This suggests that temperature influences Hg photoreduction kinetics indirectly, likely by altering the solid:liquid water ratio. These results imply that large mass transfers of Hg from snow to air may take place during the Arctic snowmelt period, altering photoreducible Hg retention and transport with snow meltwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin A Mann
- Department of Earth Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland , St. John's, NL Canada
| | | | - Susan E Ziegler
- Department of Earth Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland , St. John's, NL Canada
| | | | - Rob Tordon
- Air Quality Science Division, Environment Canada , Dartmouth, NS Canada
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30
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Beal SA, Osterberg EC, Zdanowicz CM, Fisher DA. Ice Core Perspective on Mercury Pollution during the Past 600 Years. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:7641-7647. [PMID: 26011603 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b01033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Past emissions of the toxic metal mercury (Hg) persist in the global environment, yet these emissions remain poorly constrained by existing data. Ice cores are high-resolution archives of atmospheric deposition that may provide crucial insight into past atmospheric Hg levels during recent and historical time. Here we present a record of total Hg (HgT) in an ice core from the pristine summit plateau (5340 m asl) of Mount Logan, Yukon, Canada, representing atmospheric deposition from AD 1410 to 1998. The Colonial Period (∼1603-1850) and North American "Gold Rush" (1850-1900) represent minor fractions (8% and 14%, respectively) of total anthropogenic Hg deposition in the record, with the majority (78%) occurring during the 20th Century. A period of maximum HgT fluxes from 1940 to 1975 coincides with estimates of enhanced anthropogenic Hg emissions from commercial sources, as well as with industrial emissions of other toxic metals. Rapid declines in HgT fluxes following peaks during the Gold Rush and the mid-20th Century indicate that atmospheric Hg deposition responds quickly to reductions in emissions. Increasing HgT fluxes from 1993 until the youngest samples in 1998 may reflect the resurgence of Hg emissions from unregulated coal burning and small-scale gold mining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A Beal
- †Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, United States
| | - Erich C Osterberg
- †Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, United States
| | | | - David A Fisher
- §Department of Earth Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
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31
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Ariya PA, Amyot M, Dastoor A, Deeds D, Feinberg A, Kos G, Poulain A, Ryjkov A, Semeniuk K, Subir M, Toyota K. Mercury Physicochemical and Biogeochemical Transformation in the Atmosphere and at Atmospheric Interfaces: A Review and Future Directions. Chem Rev 2015; 115:3760-802. [DOI: 10.1021/cr500667e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marc Amyot
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Université de Montréal, 90
avenue Vincent-d’Indy, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3C 3J7
| | - Ashu Dastoor
- Air
Quality Research Division, Environment Canada, 2121 TransCanada Highway, Dorval, Quebec, Canada, H9P 1J3
| | | | | | | | - Alexandre Poulain
- Department
of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1N 6N5
| | - Andrei Ryjkov
- Air
Quality Research Division, Environment Canada, 2121 TransCanada Highway, Dorval, Quebec, Canada, H9P 1J3
| | - Kirill Semeniuk
- Air
Quality Research Division, Environment Canada, 2121 TransCanada Highway, Dorval, Quebec, Canada, H9P 1J3
| | - M. Subir
- Department
of Chemistry, Ball State University, 2000 West University Avenue, Muncie, Indiana 47306, United States
| | - Kenjiro Toyota
- Air
Quality Research Division, Environment Canada, 4905 Dufferin Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M3H 5T4
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32
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Tracking Long-range Atmospheric Transport of Contaminants in Arctic Regions Using Lake Sediments. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-017-9541-8_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
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Dastoor A, Ryzhkov A, Durnford D, Lehnherr I, Steffen A, Morrison H. Atmospheric mercury in the Canadian Arctic. Part II: insight from modeling. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 509-510:16-27. [PMID: 25604938 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.10.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Revised: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
A review of mercury in the Canadian Arctic with a focus on field measurements is presented in part I (see Steffen et al., this issue). Here we provide insights into the dynamics of mercury in the Canadian Arctic from new and published mercury modeling studies using Environment Canada's mercury model. The model simulations presented in this study use global anthropogenic emissions of mercury for the period 1995-2005. The most recent modeling estimate of the net gain of mercury from the atmosphere to the Arctic Ocean is 75 Mg year(-1) and the net gain to the terrestrial ecosystems north of 66.5° is 42 Mg year(-1). Model based annual export of riverine mercury from North American, Russian and all Arctic watersheds to the Arctic Ocean are in the range of 2.8-5.6, 12.7-25.4 and 15.5-31.0 Mg year(-1), respectively. Analysis of long-range transport events of Hg at Alert and Little Fox Lake monitoring sites indicates that Asia contributes the most ambient Hg to the Canadian Arctic followed by contributions from North America, Russia, and Europe. The largest anthropogenic Hg deposition to the Canadian Arctic is from East Asia followed by Europe (and Russia), North America, and South Asia. An examination of temporal trends of Hg using the model suggests that changes in meteorology and changes in anthropogenic emissions equally contribute to the decrease in surface air elemental mercury concentrations in the Canadian Arctic with an overall decline of ~12% from 1990 to 2005. A slow increase in net deposition of Hg is found in the Canadian Arctic in response to changes in meteorology. Changes in snowpack and sea-ice characteristics and increase in precipitation in the Arctic related with climate change are found to be primary causes for the meteorology-related changes in air concentrations and deposition of Hg in the region. The model estimates that under the emissions reduction scenario of worldwide implementation of the best emission control technologies by 2020, mercury deposition could potentially be reduced by 18-20% in the Canadian Arctic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashu Dastoor
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment Canada, 2121 TransCanada Highway, Dorval, QC H9P 1J3, Canada.
| | - Andrew Ryzhkov
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment Canada, 2121 TransCanada Highway, Dorval, QC H9P 1J3, Canada
| | - Dorothy Durnford
- Meteorological Service of Canada, Environment Canada, 2121 TransCanada Highway, Dorval, QC H9P 1J3, Canada
| | - Igor Lehnherr
- University of Waterloo, Department of Earth and Environmental SciencesWaterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Alexandra Steffen
- Environment Canada, Air Quality Research Division, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Heather Morrison
- Environment Canada, Air Quality Research Division, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
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Steffen A, Lehnherr I, Cole A, Ariya P, Dastoor A, Durnford D, Kirk J, Pilote M. Atmospheric mercury in the Canadian Arctic. Part I: a review of recent field measurements. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 509-510:3-15. [PMID: 25497576 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.10.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Revised: 10/27/2014] [Accepted: 10/31/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Long-range atmospheric transport and deposition are important sources of mercury (Hg) to Arctic aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. We review here recent progress made in the study of the transport, transformation, deposition and reemission of atmospheric Hg in the Canadian Arctic, focusing on field measurements (see Dastoor et al., this issue for a review of modeling studies on the same topics). Redox processes control the speciation of atmospheric Hg, and thus impart an important influence on Hg deposition, particularly during atmospheric mercury depletion events (AMDEs). Bromine radicals were identified as the primary oxidant of atmospheric Hg during AMDEs. Since the start of monitoring at Alert (NU) in 1995, the timing of peak AMDE occurrence has shifted to earlier times in the spring (from May to April) in recent years, and while AMDE frequency and GEM concentrations are correlated with local meteorological conditions, the reasons for this timing-shift are not understood. Mercury is subject to various post-depositional processes in snowpacks and a large portion of deposited oxidized Hg can be reemitted following photoreduction; how much Hg is deposited and reemitted depends on geographical location, meteorological, vegetative and sea-ice conditions, as well as snow chemistry. Halide anions in the snow can stabilize Hg, therefore it is expected that a smaller fraction of deposited Hg will be reemitted from coastal snowpacks. Atmospheric gaseous Hg concentrations have decreased in some parts of the Arctic (e.g., Alert) from 2000 to 2009 but at a rate that was less than that at lower latitudes. Despite numerous recent advances, a number of knowledge gaps remain, including uncertainties in the identification of oxidized Hg species in the air (and how this relates to dry vs. wet deposition), physical-chemical processes in air, snow and water-especially over sea ice-and the relationship between these processes and climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Steffen
- Environment Canada, Air Quality Processes Research, Toronto M3H 5T4, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Igor Lehnherr
- University of Waterloo, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amanda Cole
- Environment Canada, Air Quality Processes Research, Toronto M3H 5T4, Ontario, Canada
| | - Parisa Ariya
- McGill University, Department of Chemistry, 801 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal H3A 2K6, Quebec, Canada; McGill University, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, 801 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal H3A 2K6, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ashu Dastoor
- Environment Canada, National Prediction Development Division, Dorval H9P 1J3, Quebec, Canada
| | - Dorothy Durnford
- Environment Canada, National Prediction Development Division, Dorval H9P 1J3, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jane Kirk
- Environment Canada, Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Burlington L7R 4A6, Ontario, Canada
| | - Martin Pilote
- Environment Canada, Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Montreal H2Y 2E7, Quebec, Canada
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Gamberg M, Chételat J, Poulain AJ, Zdanowicz C, Zheng J. Mercury in the Canadian Arctic terrestrial environment: an update. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 509-510:28-40. [PMID: 24861531 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.04.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Revised: 04/09/2014] [Accepted: 04/15/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Contaminants in the Canadian Arctic have been studied over the last twenty years under the guidance of the Northern Contaminants Program. This paper provides the current state of knowledge on mercury (Hg) in the Canadian Arctic terrestrial environment. Snow, ice, and soils on land are key reservoirs for atmospheric deposition and can become sources of Hg through the melting of terrestrial ice and snow and via soil erosion. In the Canadian Arctic, new data have been collected for snow and ice that provide more information on the net accumulation and storage of Hg in the cryosphere. Concentrations of total Hg (THg) in terrestrial snow are highly variable but on average, relatively low (<5 ng L(-1)), and methylmercury (MeHg) levels in terrestrial snow are also generally low (<0.1 ng L(-1)). On average, THg concentrations in snow on Canadian Arctic glaciers are much lower than those reported on terrestrial lowlands or sea ice. Hg in snow may be affected by photochemical exchanges with the atmosphere mediated by marine aerosols and halogens, and by post-depositional redistribution within the snow pack. Regional accumulation rates of THg in Canadian Arctic glaciers varied little during the past century but show evidence of an increasing north-to-south gradient. Temporal trends of THg in glacier cores indicate an abrupt increase in the early 1990 s, possibly due to volcanic emissions, followed by more stable, but relatively elevated levels. Little information is available on Hg concentrations and processes in Arctic soils. Terrestrial Arctic wildlife typically have low levels of THg (<5 μg g(-1) dry weight) in their tissues, although caribou (Rangifer tarandus) can have higher Hg because they consume large amounts of lichen. THg concentrations in the Yukon's Porcupine caribou herd vary among years but there has been no significant increase or decrease over the last two decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Gamberg
- Gamberg Consulting, Box 30130, Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada Y1A 5M2.
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Mann EA, Mallory ML, Ziegler SE, Tordon R, O'Driscoll NJ. Mercury in Arctic snow: quantifying the kinetics of photochemical oxidation and reduction. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 509-510:115-132. [PMID: 25097105 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.07.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Revised: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Controlled experiments were performed with frozen and melted Arctic snow to quantify relationships between mercury photoreaction kinetics, ultra violet (UV) radiation intensity, and snow ion concentrations. Frozen (-10°C) and melted (4°C) snow samples from three Arctic sites were exposed to UV (280-400 nm) radiation (1.26-5.78 W · m(-2)), and a parabolic relationship was found between reduction rate constants in frozen and melted snow with increasing UV intensity. Total photoreduced mercury in frozen and melted snow increased linearly with greater UV intensity. Snow with the highest concentrations of chloride and iron had larger photoreduction and photooxidation rate constants, while also having the lowest Hg(0) production. Our results indicate that the amount of mercury photoreduction (loss from snow) is the highest at high UV radiation intensities, while the fastest rates of mercury photoreduction occurred at both low and high intensities. This suggests that, assuming all else is equal, earlier Arctic snow melt periods (when UV intensities are less intense) may result in less mercury loss to the atmosphere by photoreduction and flux, since less Hg(0) is photoproduced at lower UV intensities, thereby resulting in potentially greater mercury transport to aquatic systems with snowmelt.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Mann
- Department of Environmental Science, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, Canada; Environmental Science Programme, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - M L Mallory
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, Canada
| | - S E Ziegler
- Environmental Science Programme, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - R Tordon
- Environment Canada, Dartmouth, NS, Canada
| | - N J O'Driscoll
- Department of Environmental Science, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, Canada.
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Kirk JL, Muir DCG, Gleason A, Wang X, Lawson G, Frank RA, Lehnherr I, Wrona F. Atmospheric deposition of mercury and methylmercury to landscapes and waterbodies of the Athabasca oil sands region. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:7374-83. [PMID: 24873895 DOI: 10.1021/es500986r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric deposition of metals originating from a variety of sources, including bitumen upgrading facilities and blowing dusts from landscape disturbances, is of concern in the Athabasca oil sands region of northern Alberta, Canada. Mercury (Hg) is of particular interest as methylmercury (MeHg), a neurotoxin which bioaccumulates through foodwebs, can reach levels in fish and wildlife that may pose health risks to human consumers. We used spring-time sampling of the accumulated snowpack at sites located varying distances from the major developments to estimate winter 2012 Hg loadings to a ∼20 000 km(2) area of the Athabasca oil sands region. Total Hg (THg; all forms of Hg in a sample) loads were predominantly particulate-bound (79 ± 12%) and increased with proximity to major developments, reaching up to 1000 ng m(-2). MeHg loads increased in a similar fashion, reaching up to 19 ng m(-2) and suggesting that oil sands developments are a direct source of MeHg to local landscapes and water bodies. Deposition maps, created by interpolation of measured Hg loads using geostatistical software, demonstrated that deposition resembled a bullseye pattern on the landscape, with areas of maximum THg and MeHg loadings located primarily between the Muskeg and Steepbank rivers. Snowpack concentrations of THg and MeHg were significantly correlated (r = 0.45-0.88, p < 0.01) with numerous parameters, including total suspended solids (TSS), metals known to be emitted in high quantities from the upgraders (vanadium, nickel, and zinc), and crustal elements (aluminum, iron, and lanthanum), which were also elevated in this region. Our results suggest that at snowmelt, a complex mixture of chemicals enters aquatic ecosystems that could impact biological communities of the oil sands region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane L Kirk
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment Canada , Burlington, Ontario L7R 4A6, Canada
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Moore CW, Obrist D, Steffen A, Staebler RM, Douglas TA, Richter A, Nghiem SV. Convective forcing of mercury and ozone in the Arctic boundary layer induced by leads in sea ice. Nature 2014; 506:81-4. [DOI: 10.1038/nature12924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Accepted: 11/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Zheng J, Pelchat P, Vaive J, Bass D, Ke F. Total mercury in snow and ice samples from Canadian High Arctic ice caps and glaciers: a practical procedure and method for total Hg quantification at low pg g(-1) level. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 468-469:487-494. [PMID: 24055664 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.08.078] [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: 06/25/2013] [Revised: 08/23/2013] [Accepted: 08/25/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A newly developed procedure and method for studying total Hg (THg) in the High Arctic glaciers and ice caps, including container type selection, on-site sampling, sample protection and storage, and sample decontamination is reported in this study. Two analytical systems for THg quantification were also compared to confirm the accuracy and reproducibility. This study found that container types, storage time, sample protection from exposure to light and environment are all important for precise quantification of THg in snow and ice samples from the Canadian High Arctic glaciers and ice caps. With this newly developed procedure and method, we retrieved 28-year and 73-year archives for atmospheric THg deposition from Mt. Oxford and Agassiz Ice Cap respectively. Our results show that snow and ice samples contain THg concentrations varying from sub pg g(-1) to low pg g(-1). Comparison of THg concentration trends and fluxes from the two sites demonstrates that quantification of THg from the two locations with similar altitudes and latitudes can be reproducible, which suggests that historical THg information from atmospheric deposition can be preserved in snow and ice in the glaciers and ice caps. The high reproducibility of results achieved by this procedure and method, in return, confirmed its suitability for studies of THg in snow and ice samples from ice caps and glaciers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiancheng Zheng
- 601 Booth Street, Natural Resources Canada, Earth Sciences Sector, Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa K1A 0E8, Canada,.
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Dastoor AP, Durnford DA. Arctic Ocean: is it a sink or a source of atmospheric mercury? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:1707-1717. [PMID: 24328426 DOI: 10.1021/es404473e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
High levels of mercury in marine mammals threaten the health of Arctic inhabitants. Whether the Arctic Ocean (AO) is a sink or a source of atmospheric mercury is unknown. Given the paucity of observations in the Arctic, models are useful in addressing this question. GEOS-Chem and GRAHM, two complex numerical mercury models, present contrasting pictures of atmospheric mercury input to AO at 45 and 108 Mg yr(-1), respectively, and ocean evasion at 90 and 33 Mg yr(-1), respectively. We provide a comprehensive evaluation of GRAHM simulated atmospheric mercury input to AO using mercury observations in air, precipitation and snowpacks, and an analysis of the discrepancy between the two modeling estimates using observations. We discover two peaks in high-latitude summertime concentrations of atmospheric mercury. We show that the first is caused mainly by snowmelt revolatilization and the second by AO evasion of mercury. Riverine mercury export to AO is estimated at 50 Mg yr(-1) based on measured DOC export and at 15.5-31 Mg yr(-1) based on simulated mercury in meltwater. The range of simulated mercury fluxes to and from AO reflects uncertainties in modeling mercury in the Arctic; comprehensive observations in all compartments of the Arctic ecosystem are needed to close the gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashu P Dastoor
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment Canada , 2121 TransCanada Highway, Dorval, Quebec H9P 1J3, Canada
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Kirk JL, Lehnherr I, Andersson M, Braune BM, Chan L, Dastoor AP, Durnford D, Gleason AL, Loseto LL, Steffen A, St Louis VL. Mercury in Arctic marine ecosystems: sources, pathways and exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2012; 119:64-87. [PMID: 23102902 PMCID: PMC4142812 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2012.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2011] [Revised: 08/02/2012] [Accepted: 08/13/2012] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Mercury in the Arctic is an important environmental and human health issue. The reliance of Northern Peoples on traditional foods, such as marine mammals, for subsistence means that they are particularly at risk from mercury exposure. The cycling of mercury in Arctic marine systems is reviewed here, with emphasis placed on the key sources, pathways and processes which regulate mercury levels in marine food webs and ultimately the exposure of human populations to this contaminant. While many knowledge gaps exist limiting our ability to make strong conclusions, it appears that the long-range transport of mercury from Asian emissions is an important source of atmospheric Hg to the Arctic and that mercury methylation resulting in monomethylmercury production (an organic form of mercury which is both toxic and bioaccumulated) in Arctic marine waters is the principal source of mercury incorporated into food webs. Mercury concentrations in biological organisms have increased since the onset of the industrial age and are controlled by a combination of abiotic factors (e.g., monomethylmercury supply), food web dynamics and structure, and animal behavior (e.g., habitat selection and feeding behavior). Finally, although some Northern Peoples have high mercury concentrations of mercury in their blood and hair, harvesting and consuming traditional foods have many nutritional, social, cultural and physical health benefits which must be considered in risk management and communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane L Kirk
- Environment Canada, Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, 867 Lakeshore Dr, Burlington, ON L7R 4A6, Canada.
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Zhang Q, Huang J, Wang F, Mark L, Xu J, Armstrong D, Li C, Zhang Y, Kang S. Mercury distribution and deposition in glacier snow over western China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2012; 46:5404-5413. [PMID: 22519575 DOI: 10.1021/es300166x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Western China is home to the largest aggregate of glaciers outside the polar regions, yet little is known about how the glaciers in this area affect the transport and cycling of mercury (Hg) regionally and globally. From 2005 to 2010, extensive glacier snow sampling campaigns were carried out in 14 snowpits from 9 glaciers over western China, and the vertical distribution profiles of Hg were obtained. The Total Hg (THg) concentrations in the glacier snow ranged from <1 to 43.6 ng L(-1), and exhibited clear seasonal variations with lower values in summer than in winter. Spatially, higher THg concentrations were typically observed in glacier snows from the northern region where atmospheric particulate loading is comparably high. Glacier snowpit Hg was largely dependent on particulate matters and was associated with particulate Hg, which is less prone to postdepositional changes, thus providing a valuable record of atmospheric Hg deposition. Estimated atmospheric Hg depositional fluxes ranged from 0.74 to 7.89 μg m(-2) yr(-1), agreeing very well with the global natural values, but are one to two orders of magnitude lower than that of the neighboring East Asia. Elevated Hg concentrations were observed in refrozen ice layers in several snowpits subjected to intense melt, indicating that Hg can be potentially released to meltwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianggong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jia 4 Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, PR China
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George C, D’Anna B, Herrmann H, Weller C, Vaida V, Donaldson DJ, Bartels-Rausch T, Ammann M. Emerging Areas in Atmospheric Photochemistry. Top Curr Chem (Cham) 2012; 339:1-53. [DOI: 10.1007/128_2012_393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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