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Zhong H, Zhou H, Li Y, Li C, Tsui MTK, Mitchell CPJ, Zhou Y, Yang Y, Chen L, Ren H, Tang W. Methylmercury photodegradation in paddy water: An overlooked process mitigating methylmercury risks. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 253:121332. [PMID: 38377924 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121332] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Photodegradation is critical to reduce the potent neurotoxic methylmercury (MeHg) in water and its subsequent accumulation along food chains. However, this process has been largely ignored in rice paddies, which are hotspots of MeHg production and receive about a quarter of the world's developed freshwater resources. Here, we reported that significant MeHg photodegradation, primarily mediated by hydroxyl radicals, occurs in the overlying water during rice growth. By incorporating field-measured light interception into a rice paddy biogeochemistry model, as well as photodegradation rates obtained from 42 paddy soils stretching ∼3500 km across China, we estimated that photodegradation reduced MeHg concentrations in paddy water and rice by 82 % and 11 %, respectively. Without photodegradation, paddy water could be a significant MeHg source for downstream ecosystems, with an annual export of 178 - 856 kg MeHg to downstream waters in China, the largest rice producer. These findings suggest that photodegradation in paddy water is critical for preventing greater quantities of MeHg entering human food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhong
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Hangyu Zhou
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR 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, Shandong Province, PR China.
| | - Chengjun Li
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Martin Tsz-Ki Tsui
- School of Life Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences Programme, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Carl P J Mitchell
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Scarborough, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Yang Zhou
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Yanan Yang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Long Chen
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Wenli Tang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China.
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2
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Jeong H, Byeon E, Lee JS, Kim HS, Sayed AEDH, Bo J, Wang M, Wang DZ, Park HG, Lee JS. Single and combined effects of increased temperature and methylmercury on different stages of the marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 466:133448. [PMID: 38244454 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133448] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Rapid, anthropogenic activity-induced global warming is a severe problem that not only raises water temperatures but also shifts aquatic environments by increasing the bioavailability of heavy metals (HMs), with potentially complicated effects on aquatic organisms, including small aquatic invertebrates. For this paper, we investigated the combined effects of temperature (23 and 28 °C) and methylmercury (MeHg) by measuring physiological changes, bioaccumulation, oxidative stress, antioxidants, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway in the marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. High temperature and MeHg adversely affected the survival rate, lifespan, and population of rotifers, and bioaccumulation, oxidative stress, and biochemical reactions depended on the developmental stage, with neonates showing higher susceptibility than adults. These findings demonstrate that increased temperature enhances potentially toxic effects from MeHg, and susceptibility differs with the developmental stage. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the combined effects of elevated temperature and MeHg on rotifers. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: Methylmercury (MeHg) is a widespread and harmful heavy metal that can induce lethal effects on aquatic organisms in even trace amounts. The toxicity of metals can vary depending on various environmental conditions. In particular, rising temperatures are considered a major factor affecting bioavailability and toxicity by changing the sensitivity of organisms. However, there are few studies on the combinational effects of high temperatures and MeHg on aquatic animals, especially invertebrates. Our research would contribute to understanding the actual responses of aquatic organisms to complex aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haksoo Jeong
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Eunjin Byeon
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Jin-Sol Lee
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Hyung Sik Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Alaa El-Din H Sayed
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut 71516, Egypt
| | - Jun Bo
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Minghua Wang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Da-Zhi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Heum Gi Park
- Department of Marine Ecology and Environment, College of Life Sciences, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung 25457, South Korea
| | - Jae-Seong Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea.
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3
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von Hellfeld R, Hastings A. An approach to assessing subsea pipeline-associated mercury release into the North Sea and its potential environmental and human health impact. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:230943. [PMID: 38481980 PMCID: PMC10935551 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Mercury is a naturally occurring heavy metal that has also been associated with anthropogenic sources such as cement production or hydrocarbon extraction. Mercury is a contaminant of concern as it can have a significant negative impact on organismal health when ingested. In aquatic environments, it bioaccumulates up the foodweb, where it then has the potential to impact human health. With the offshore hydrocarbon platforms in the North Sea nearing decommissioning, they must be assessed as a potential source for the environmental release of mercury. International treaties govern the handling of materials placed in the ocean. Studies have assessed the ecologic and economic benefits of (partial) in situ abandonment of the infrastructure as artificial reefs. This can be applied to pipelines after substantial cleaning to remove mercury accumulation from the inner surface. This work outlines the application of an approach to modelling marine mercury bioaccumulation for decommissioning scenarios in the North Sea. Here, in situ decommissioning of cleaned pipelines was unlikely to have a negative impact on the North Sea food web or human health. However, significant knowledge gaps have been determined, which must be addressed before all negative impacts on ecosystems and organismal health can be excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca von Hellfeld
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, 23 St Machar Drive, AberdeenAB24 3UL, UK
- National Decommissioning Centre, Main Street, NewburghAB41 6AA, UK
| | - Astley Hastings
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, 23 St Machar Drive, AberdeenAB24 3UL, UK
- National Decommissioning Centre, Main Street, NewburghAB41 6AA, UK
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4
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Li Z, Wang T, Yang X, Wen X, Chen W, He Y, Yu Z, Zhang C. Microbial community function and methylmercury production in oxygen-limited paddy soil. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 266:115585. [PMID: 37856980 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury is a neurotoxic compound that can enter rice fields through rainfall or irrigation with contaminated wastewater, and then contaminate the human food chain through the consumption of rice. Flooded paddy soil has a porous structure that facilitates air exchange with the atmosphere, but the presence of trace amounts of oxygen in flooded rice field soil and its impact on microbial-mediated formation of methylmercury is still unclear. We compared the microbial communities and their functions in oxygen-depleted and oxygen-limited paddy soil. We discovered that oxygen-limited paddy soil had higher methylmercury concentration, which was strongly correlated with soil properties and methylation potential. Compared with oxygen-depleted soil, oxygen-limited soil altered the microbial composition based on 16 S rRNA sequences, but not based on hgcA sequences. Moreover, oxygen-limited soil enhanced microbial activity significantly, increasing the abundance of more than half of the KEGG pathways, especially the metabolic pathways that might be involved in methylation. Our study unveils how microbial communities influence methylmercury formation in oxygen-limited paddy soil. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS: This study examined how low oxygen input affects microbial-induced MeHg formation in anaerobic paddy soil. We found that oxygen-limited soil produced more MeHg than oxygen-depleted soil. Oxygen input altered the microbial community structure of 16 S rRNA sequencing in anaerobic paddy soil, but had little impact on the hgcA sequencing community structure. Microbial activity and metabolic functions related to MeHg formation were also higher in oxygen-limited paddy soil. We suggest that oxygen may not be a limiting factor for Hg methylators, and that insufficient oxygen input in flooded paddy soil increases the risk of human exposure to MeHg from rice consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Tantan Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Xu Yang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Xin Wen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Wenhao Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Yubo He
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Zhigang Yu
- Australian Center for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Chang Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China.
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5
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Wenwen Z, Yuan X, Zhongsheng Z, Xuehui Z, Haitao W. Accelerated Hg loss and increased methylmercury covary with soil organic matter mineralization and dissolved organic matter humification under warming conditions in permafrost marsh, Northeast China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 234:116593. [PMID: 37423359 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Currently, little is available on how mercury (Hg) methylation couples with soil organic matter decomposition in degraded permafrost in high northern latitudes, where the climate is becoming warmer rapidly. Here, we revealed the complex interactions between soil organic matter (SOM) mineralization, dissolved organic matter (DOM) and methylmercury (MeHg) production based on an 87-day anoxic warming incubation experiment. Results supported remarkably promotion effects of warming on MeHg production, by 130%-205% on average. Total mercury (THg) loss under warming treatment depended on marsh types but showed an increasing trend on the whole. Warming yielded higher proportions of MeHg to THg (%MeHg), increased by 123%-569%. As expected, greenhouse gas emission was significantly enhanced by warming. Warming also strengthened fluorescence intensities of fulvic-like and protein-like DOM, with contributions to total fluorescence intensities of 49%-92% and 8%-51%, respectively. DOM and its spectral features explained 60% variation of MeHg, and the explanation increased to 82% in conjunction with greenhouse gas emissions. The structural equation model implied that warming, greenhouse gas emission, and humification of DOM had positive effects on Hg methylation potential, while microbial-derived DOM showed negative effects on MeHg. These results showed that accelerated Hg loss and increased methylation covaried with greenhouse gas emission and DOM formation under warming conditions in permafrost marsh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Wenwen
- State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xin Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhang Zhongsheng
- State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China.
| | - Zhang Xuehui
- State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China; Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 136000, China
| | - Wu Haitao
- State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China
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Liu YR, Guo L, Yang Z, Xu Z, Zhao J, Wen SH, Delgado-Baquerizo M, Chen L. Multidimensional Drivers of Mercury Distribution in Global Surface Soils: Insights from a Global Standardized Field Survey. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:12442-12452. [PMID: 37506289 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Soil stores a large amount of mercury (Hg) that has adverse effects on human health and ecosystem safety. Significant uncertainties still exist in revealing environmental drivers of soil Hg accumulation and predicting global Hg distribution owing to the lack of field data from global standardized analyses. Here, we conducted a global standardized field survey and explored a holistic understanding of the multidimensional environmental drivers of Hg accumulation in global surface soils. Hg content in surface soils from our survey ranges from 3.8 to 618.2 μg kg-1 with an average of 74.0 μg kg-1 across the globe. Atmospheric Hg deposition, particularly vegetation-induced elemental Hg0 deposition, is the major source of surface soil Hg. Soil organic carbon serves as the major substrate for sequestering Hg in surface soils and is significantly influenced by agricultural management, litterfall, and elevation. For human activities, changing land-use could be a more important contributor than direct anthropogenic emissions. Our prediction of a new global Hg distribution highlights the hot spots (high Hg content) in East Asia, the Northern Hemispheric temperate/boreal regions, and tropical areas, while the cold spots (low Hg content) are in arid regions. The holistic understanding of multidimensional environmental drivers helps to predict the Hg distribution in global surface soils under a changing global environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Rong Liu
- College of Resources and Environment and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Health and Green Remediation, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Long Guo
- College of Resources and Environment and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Health and Green Remediation, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ziming Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48309, United States
| | - Zeng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jiating Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shu-Hai Wen
- College of Resources and Environment and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Health and Green Remediation, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Funcionamiento Ecosistemico, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Sevilla 41012, Spain
- Unidad Asociada CSIC-UPO (BioFun), Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla 41013, Spain
| | - Long Chen
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
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7
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von Hellfeld R, Gade C, Koppel DJ, Walters WJ, Kho F, Hastings A. An approach to assess potential environmental mercury release, food web bioaccumulation, and human dietary methylmercury uptake from decommissioning offshore oil and gas infrastructure. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 452:131298. [PMID: 36996541 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Subsea pipelines carrying well fluids from hydrocarbon fields accumulate mercury. If the pipelines (after cleaning and flushing) are abandoned in situ, their degradation may release residual mercury into the environment. To justify pipeline abandonment, decommissioning plans include environmental risk assessments to determine the potential risk of environmental mercury. These risks are informed by environmental quality guideline values (EQGVs) governing concentrations in sediment or water above which mercury toxicity may occur. However, these guidelines may not consider e.g., the bioaccumulation potential of methylated mercury. Therefore, EQGVs may not protect humans from exposure if applied as the sole basis for risk assessments. This paper outlines a process to assess the EQGVs' protectiveness from mercury bioaccumulation, providing preliminary insights to questions including how to (1) determine pipeline threshold concentrations, (2) model marine mercury bioaccumulation, and (3) determine exceedance of the methylmercury tolerable weekly intake (TWI) for humans. The approach is demonstrated with a generic example using simplifications to describe mercury behaviour and a model food web. In this example, release scenarios equivalent to the EQGVs resulted in increased marine organism mercury tissue concentrations by 0-33 %, with human dietary methylmercury intake increasing 0-21 %. This suggests that existing guidelines may not be protective of biomagnification in all circumstances. The outlined approach could inform environmental risk assessments for asset-specific release scenarios but must be parameterised to reflect local environmental conditions when tailored to local factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca von Hellfeld
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, School of Biological Sciences, Aberdeen, UK; National Decommissioning Centre, Ellon, UK.
| | - Christoph Gade
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, School of Biological Sciences, Aberdeen, UK; National Decommissioning Centre, Ellon, UK
| | - Darren J Koppel
- Curtin Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia; Australian Institute of Marine Science, Perth, Australia
| | - William J Walters
- Ken and Mary Alice Lindquist Department of Nuclear Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA
| | - Fenny Kho
- Curtin Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia; Curtin Corrosion Centre, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Astley Hastings
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, School of Biological Sciences, Aberdeen, UK; National Decommissioning Centre, Ellon, UK
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Hao YY, Liu HW, Zhao J, Feng J, Hao X, Huang Q, Gu B, Liu YR. Plastispheres as hotspots of microbially-driven methylmercury production in paddy soils. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 457:131699. [PMID: 37270960 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) as emerging contaminants have accumulated extensively in agricultural ecosystems and are known to exert important effects on biogeochemical processes. However, how MPs in paddy soils influence the conversion of mercury (Hg) to neurotoxic methylmercury (MeHg) remains poorly understood. Here, we evaluated the effects of MPs on Hg methylation and associated microbial communities in microcosms using two typical paddy soils in China (i.e., yellow and red soils). Results showed that the addition of MPs significantly increased MeHg production in both soils, which could be related to higher Hg methylation potential in the plastisphere than in the bulk soil. We found significant divergences in the community composition of Hg methylators between the plastisphere and the bulk soil. In addition, the plastisphere had higher proportions of Geobacterales in the yellow soil and Methanomicrobia in the red soil compared with the bulk soil, respectively; and plastisphere also had more densely connected microbial groups between non-Hg methylators and Hg methylators. These microbiota in the plastisphere are different from those in the bulk soil, which could partially account for their distinct MeHg production ability. Our findings suggest plastisphere as a unique biotope for MeHg production and provide new insights into the environment risks of MP accumulation in agricultural soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Yun Hao
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Hui-Wen Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jiating Zhao
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jiao Feng
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xiuli Hao
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Qiaoyun Huang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Baohua Gu
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Yu-Rong Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
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9
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Zhang CJ, Liu YR, Cha G, Liu Y, Zhou XQ, Lu Z, Pan J, Cai M, Li M. Potential for mercury methylation by Asgard archaea in mangrove sediments. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:478-485. [PMID: 36639538 PMCID: PMC9938162 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01360-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a potent neurotoxin that bioaccumulates along food chains. The conversion of MeHg from mercury (Hg) is mediated by a variety of anaerobic microorganisms carrying hgcAB genes. Mangrove sediments are potential hotspots of microbial Hg methylation; however, the microorganisms responsible for Hg methylation are poorly understood. Here, we conducted metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses to investigate the diversity and distribution of putative microbial Hg-methylators in mangrove ecosystems. The highest hgcA abundance and expression occurred in surface sediments in Shenzhen, where the highest MeHg concentration was also observed. We reconstructed 157 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) carrying hgcA and identified several putative novel Hg-methylators, including one Asgard archaea (Lokiarchaeota). Further analysis of MAGs revealed that Deltaproteobacteria, Euryarchaeota, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, and Lokiarchaeota were the most abundant and active Hg-methylating groups, implying their crucial role in MeHg production. By screening publicly available MAGs, 104 additional Asgard MAGs carrying hgcA genes were identified from a wide range of coast, marine, permafrost, and lake sediments. Protein homology modelling predicts that Lokiarchaeota HgcAB proteins contained the highly conserved amino acid sequences and folding structures required for Hg methylation. Phylogenetic tree revealed that hgcA genes from Asgard clustered with fused hgcAB genes, indicating a transitional stage of Asgard hgcA genes. Our findings thus suggest that Asgard archaea are potential novel Hg-methylating microorganisms and play an important role in hgcA evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui-Jing Zhang
- Archaeal Biology Center, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yu-Rong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070, Wuhan, China
| | - Guihong Cha
- Key Laboratory of Development and Application of Rural Renewable Energy, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Archaeal Biology Center, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin-Quan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhongyi Lu
- Archaeal Biology Center, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jie Pan
- Archaeal Biology Center, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mingwei Cai
- Archaeal Biology Center, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, China
- Chemical Biology Institute, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Meng Li
- Archaeal Biology Center, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, China.
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, China.
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10
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Zhang Z, Zhang X, Xin Y, Wu H. Ant colonization increased total mercury but reduced methylmercury contents in boreal mires, Northeast China. J Environ Sci (China) 2022; 119:50-58. [PMID: 35934465 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2021.12.007] [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: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Soil macroinvertebrates as ecosystem engineers play significant, but largely ignored, roles in affecting mercury (Hg) cycle by altering soil physical-chemical properties. Ant is likely expanded into boreal mires with climate warming, however, its impacts on Hg cycle remained poorly understood. We compared total Hg (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) contents in soils from antmounds (Lasius flavus) and the nearby ambient in a boreal mire in Northeast China. The present work seeks to unravel factors that controlling MeHg levels in case of ant appearance or absence. The average THg was 179 µg/kg in the ant mound and was 106.1 µg/kg in nearby soils, respectively. The average MeHg was 10.9 µg/kg in the ant mound and was 12.9 µg/kg in nearby soils, respectively. The ratios of MeHg to THg (%MeHg) were 7.61% in ant mounds and 16.75% in nearby soils, respectively. Ant colonization caused THg enrichment and MeHg depletion, and this change was obvious in the 10-20 cm depth soil layer where ants mainly inhabited. Spectrometry characteristics of soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) exert a stronger control than microorganisms on MeHg variation in soils. A structural equation model revealed that the molecular weight of DOM inhibited MeHg irrespective of ant presence or absence, while humification conducive to MeHg significantly in ant mound soils. Microorganisms mainly affected Hg methylation by altering the molecular weight and humification of DOM. We propose that the effects of ant colonization on MeHg rested on DOM feature variations caused by microorganisms in boreal mires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongsheng Zhang
- Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Xuehui Zhang
- Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130012, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuan Xin
- Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130012, China; Shengyang University, Shenyang 110044, China
| | - Haitao Wu
- Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130012, China
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11
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Wu Z, Li Z, Shao B, Zhang Y, He W, Lu Y, Gusvitskii K, Zhao Y, Liu Y, Wang X, Tong Y. Impact of dissolved organic matter and environmental factors on methylmercury concentrations across aquatic ecosystems inferred from a global dataset. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 294:133713. [PMID: 35074323 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) input into ecosystems is estimated to have increased by twofold to fivefold since the industrial revolution. In aquatic ecosystems, methylmercury (MeHg) receives the most attentions of all the Hg species due to its neurotoxicity and strong bioaccumulation capacity in food chain. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is crucial in impacting aquatic Hg transformation. However, only few spatially constrained studies have attempted to quantify the relative importance of DOM and other factors (e.g., Hg availability, temperature, pH, and land-use type) on MeHg concentration. In this study, we collected data of 585 water samples at 373 sites globally, including lakes, rivers, estuaries, and wetlands, and characterized the global pattern of MeHg distribution and environmental drivers of aquatic MeHg concentration. Our results showed that MeHg concentrations ranged from detection limits to 11 (geometric mean 0.11 and average 0.29) ng/L, and the highest MeHg concentration and Hg methylation potential were observed in wetlands. A positive relationship was observed between MeHg fraction in the total mercury (THg) and DOM for all the aquatic ecosystems. Using the structural equation modeling, we found that Hg availability was a dominant factor in impacting water MeHg concentration followed by DOM. According to 129 samples of specific DOM source information, we found that the percentage of THg as MeHg (%MeHg) in water dominated by the autochthonous DOM was higher than that dominated by the allochthonous DOM. Our results could advance understanding of aquatic Hg cycling and their environmental drivers, which are fundamental for predicting and mitigating MeHg productions and its potential health risks for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyu Wu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Zhike Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Bo Shao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Yiyan Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Wei He
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yiren Lu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Kair Gusvitskii
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Yingxin Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Yurong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xuejun Wang
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yindong Tong
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
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Li Y, Chen L, Liang S, Zhou H, Liu YR, Zhong H, Yang Z. Looping Mercury Cycle in Global Environmental-Economic System Modeling. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:2861-2879. [PMID: 35129955 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The Minamata Convention on Mercury calls for Hg control actions to protect the environment and human beings from the adverse impacts of Hg pollution. It aims at the entire life cycle of Hg. Existing studies on the Hg cycle in the global environmental-economic system have characterized the emission-to-impact pathway of Hg pollution. That is, Hg emissions/releases from the economic system can have adverse impacts on human health and ecosystems. However, current modeling of the Hg cycle is not fully looped. It ignores the feedback of Hg-related environmental impacts (including human health impacts and ecosystem impacts) to the economic system. This would impede the development of more comprehensive Hg control actions. By synthesizing recent information on Hg cycle modeling, this critical review found that Hg-related environmental impacts would have feedbacks to the economic system via the labor force and biodiversity loss. However, the interactions between Hg-related activities in the environmental and economic systems are not completely clear. The cascading effects of Hg-related environmental impacts to the economic system throughout global supply chains have not been revealed. Here, we emphasize the knowledge gaps and propose possible approaches for looping the Hg cycle in global environmental-economic system modeling. This progress is crucial for formulating more dynamic and flexible Hg control measures. It provides new perspectives for the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumeng Li
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P. R. China
| | - Long Chen
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, P. R. China
| | - Sai Liang
- Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Haifeng Zhou
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Rong Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, P. R. China
| | - Huan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Zhifeng Yang
- Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
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Lei S, Meng X, Wang L, Zhou J, Qin D, Duan H. A Naphthalimide-Based Fluorescent Probe for the Detection and Imaging of Mercury Ions in Living Cells. ChemistryOpen 2021; 10:1116-1122. [PMID: 34726842 PMCID: PMC8562314 DOI: 10.1002/open.202100204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The selective and efficient monitoring of mercury (Hg2+ ) contamination found in the environment and ecosystem has been carried out. Thus, a new 1,8-naphthalimide-based fluorescent probe NADP for the detection of Hg2+ based on a fluorescence enhancement strategy has been designed and synthesized. The NADP probe can detect Hg2+ with high selectivity and sensitivity and a low detection limit of 13 nm. The detection mechanism was based on a Hg2+ -triggered deprotection reaction, resulting in a dramatic change in fluorescence from colorless to green at physiological pH. Most importantly, biological investigation has shown that the NADP probe can be successfully applied to the monitoring of Hg2+ in living cells and zebrafish with low cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoyu Lei
- School of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringQilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)Ji'nanShandong Province250353China
| | - Xia Meng
- School of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringQilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)Ji'nanShandong Province250353China
| | - Lizhen Wang
- Biology InstituteQilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)Jinan250103Shandong ProvinceChina
| | - Jianhua Zhou
- School of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringQilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)Ji'nanShandong Province250353China
| | - Dawei Qin
- School of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringQilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)Ji'nanShandong Province250353China
| | - Hongdong Duan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringQilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)Ji'nanShandong Province250353China
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