Dissolved organic matter reduces the effectiveness of sorbents for mercury removal

Physicochemical investigation of mercury sorption on mesoporous thioacetamide/chitosan from wastewater

Mercury is a toxic environmental element, so it was necessary to prepare a new, highly efficient, cheap sorbent to remove it. A mesoporous thioacetamide/chitosan (MTA/CS) was manufactured via a simplistic strategy; the chitin deacetylation to gain chitosan (CS) and the addition of thioacetamide. The as-prepared MTA/CS was characterized using X-ray diffraction, EDX, SEM, FTIR, and BET surface analysis. According to the findings, the MTA/CS was effectively synthesized. The removal behaviors of Hg2+ onto MTA/CS composite were inspected, which suggested that the MTA/CS composite exhibited great sorption properties for Hg2+ in liquid solutions. The maximal Hg2+ sorption capacity was 195 mg/g. The effects of temperature, Hg2+ concentration, contacting time, and MTA/CS concentration on sorption were analyzed. The 2nd-order model and Langmuir isotherm were suitable for the physicochemical adsorption processes. Thermodynamic analysis showed that the Hg2+ adsorption process onto the MTA/CS composite is exothermic and occurred spontaneously. The desorption condition of Hg2+ from its loaded MTA/CS was also gained. Likewise, the MTA/CS sorbent was undoubtedly regenerated by 0.8 M NaNO3 80 min contacting and 1:50 S:L ratio. The versatility and durability of MTA/CS sorbent were investigated via nine sorption-extraction cycles. The optimum parameters were applied to wastewater. Based on the result, the as-prepared MTA/CS might be a potential sorbent for removing Hg2+ from liquid solutions.

Seasonal variations in CDOM characteristics and effects of environmental factors in coastal rivers, Northeast China

Colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) is highly spatiotemporally varied due to the effects of complex environmental factors within a catchment or system. The seasonal nutritional status and potential risks of heavy metals in the coastal rivers of the Liaohe River basin were evaluated based on 40 water samples in January, April, May, and September. Meanwhile, the effects of environmental factors on CDOM, especially human activities, were quantitatively analyzed. The trophic state index (TSI) and the potential ecological risk index (RI) of heavy metals in the Liaohe River basin exhibited significant differences. The rivers were mesotrophic in January, lightly eutrophic in May, and highly eutrophic in April and September. An extremely high RI was shown in April and May, while a high RI was exhibited in September. CDOM exhibited great seasonal characteristics and showed significant seasonal correlations with environmental factors. Based on multiple general linear model analysis, total phosphorus (TP) was the most influential factor and significantly explained 62.1% of a_CDOM(440) (p < 0.01) among the water parameters, followed by total alkalinity (38.3%). The percentages of built-up area exerted significantly positive effects on a_CDOM(440) (R² = 0.44), while distance from oil extraction sites significantly negatively affected a_CDOM(440) (r = - 0.328, p < 0.05). Polluting enterprises showed non-significant correlation with CDOM (r = 0.314, p = 0.178).

Bentonite binding with mercury(II) ion through promotion of reactive oxygen species derived from manure-based dissolved organic matter

This study reports the mercury binding by bentonite clay influenced by cattle manure-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM). The DOM (as total organic carbon; TOC) was reacted with bentonite at 5.2 pH to monitor the subsequent uptake of Hg²⁺ for 5 days. The binding kinetics of Hg²⁺ to the resulting composite was studied (metal = 350 µM/L, pH 5.2). Bentonite-DOM bound much more Hg²⁺ than original bentonite and accredited to the establishment of further binding sites. On the other hand, the presence of DOM was found to decrease the Hg²⁺ binding on the clay surface, specifically, the percent decrease of metal with increasing DOM concentration. Post to binding of DOM with bentonite resulted in increased particle size diameter (~ 33.37- ~ 87.67 nm) by inducing the mineral modification of the pore size distribution, thus increasing the binding sites. The XPS and FTIR results confirm the pronounced physico-chemical features of bentonite-DOM more than that of bentonite. Hydroxyl and oxygen vacancies on the surface were found actively involved in Hg²⁺ uptake by bentonite-DOM composite. Furthermore, DOM increased the content of Hg²⁺ binding by ~ 10% (pseudo-second-order q_e = 90.9-100.0) through boosting up Fe³⁺ reduction with the DOM. The quenching experiment revealed that more oxygen functionalities were generated in bentonite-DOM, where hydroxyl was found to be dominant specie for Hg²⁺ binding. The findings of this study can be used as theoretical reference for mineral metal interaction under inhibitory or facilitating role of DOM, risk assessment, management, and mobilization/immobilization of mercury in organic matter-containing environment.

Fungal necromass presents a high potential for Mercury immobilization in soil

Past industrial activities have generated many contaminated lands from which Mercury (Hg) escapes, primarily by volatilization. Current phytomanagement techniques aim to limit Hg dispersion by increasing its stabilization in soil. Although soil fungi represent a source of Hg emission associated with biovolatilization mechanisms, there is limited knowledge about how dead fungal residues (i.e., fungal necromass) interact with soil Hg. This study determined the Hg biosorption potential of fungal necromass and the chemical drivers of passive Hg binding with dead mycelia. Fungal necromass was incubated under field conditions with contrasting chemical properties at a well-characterized Hg phytomanagement experimental site in France. After four months of incubation in soil, fungal residues passively accumulated substantial quantities of Hg in their recalcitrant fractions ranging from 400 to 4500 μg Hg/kg. In addition, infrared spectroscopy revealed that lipid compounds explained the amount of Hg biosorption to fungal necromass. Based on these findings, we propose that fungal necromass is likely an important factor in Hg immobilization in soil.

Efficient removal of mercury and chromium from wastewater via biochar fabricated with steel slag: Performance and mechanisms

Biochar derived from biomass is regarded as a promising adsorbent for wastewater treatment, but the high cost of modification is still a challenge for its large-scale practical applications. In this study, we employed steel slag as a low-cost fabricant and synthesized hydrothermally carbonized steel slag (HCSS), as a stable environmentally functional material for heavy metal removal. Typically, positively and negatively charged heavy metal contaminants of Hg²⁺ and Cr₂O₇²⁻ were employed to testify the performance of HCSS as an adsorbent, and good capacities [(283.24 mg/g for Hg (II) and 323.16 mg/g for Cr (VI)] were found. The feasibility of HCSS on real wastewater purification was also evaluated, as the removal efficiency was 94.11% and 88.65% for Hg (II) and Cr (VI), respectively. Mechanism studies revealed that the modification of steel slag on bio-adsorbents offered copious active sites for pollutants. As expected, oxygen-containing functional groups in HCSS acted as the main contributor to adsorption capacity. Moreover, some reactive iron species (i.e., Fe²⁺) played an essential role in chemical reduction of Cr (VI). The adsorptive reactions were pH-dependent, owing to other more mechanisms, such as coprecipitation, ion-exchange, and electrostatic attraction. This promising recycling approach of biomass waste and the design of agro-industrial byproducts can be highly suggestive of the issues of resource recovery in the application of solid waste-derived environmentally functional materials for heavy metal remediation.

Diel mercury concentration variations in a mercury-impacted stream

Filtered and particulate mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MMHg), and associated water chemistry parameters, were evaluated bi-hourly for several 30 h periods during the summer and winter seasons at several distinct locations (downstream forested, midstream urban/suburban, upstream industrial) along a creek contaminated with high levels of inorganic Hg to determine if biogeochemical Hg and MMHg cycles respond to the daily photocycle. In summer particulate Hg and MMHg concentrations doubled overnight (excluding the upstream industrial site) concurrent with increases in turbidity and total suspended sediment; no such pattern was evident in winter. Seasonal and diel changes in the activity of macrobiota affecting the suspension of contaminated sediments are likely responsible for these patterns as other potential explanatory variables (e.g., instrument drift, pH, discharge) could not account for the range and timing of our observations. Diel patterns in filtered Hg (Hg_D) were significant only at locations and times of the year when channel shading was not present and daytime concentrations increased 22-89% above nighttime minima likely caused by direct and indirect photochemical reactions. Relationships between Hg_D and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration or character were inconsistent between sites. Unlike Hg_D, there were significant diel patterns in filtered MMHg (MMHg_D) at all sites and times of year, with summer concentrations peaking in mid to late afternoon while the timing differed in winter, with concentrations peaking after sunset. Daily variability in MMHg_D concentration ranged between 25 and 75%. The results imply key controls on net methylation occur within the stream or on the stream bed and include factors such as small-scale temperature changes in the water column and photosynthetic activity of stream biofilm. With respect to stream monitoring, results from this study indicate (1) consistent timing in stream Hg and MMHg sampling is required for accurate assessment of long-term trends, (2) in situ measurements of turbidity can be used to quantify diel dynamics of both particulate Hg and MMHg concentrations, and (3) in situ fluorescing dissolved organic matter (FDOM), a potential proxy for DOC, was not capable of resolving diel dynamics of filtered Hg or MMHg.

Mercury Removal from Contaminated Water by Wood-Based Biochar Depends on Natural Organic Matter and Ionic Composition

Biochars can remove potentially toxic elements, such as inorganic mercury [Hg(II)] from contaminated waters. However, their performance in complex water matrices is rarely investigated, and the combined roles of natural organic matter (NOM) and ionic composition in the removal of Hg(II) by biochar remain unclear. Here, we investigate the influence of NOM and major ions such as chloride (Cl^-), nitrate (NO₃^-), calcium (Ca²⁺), and sodium (Na⁺) on Hg(II) removal by a wood-based biochar (SWP700). Multiple sorption sites containing sulfur (S) were located within the porous SWP700. In the absence of NOM, Hg(II) removal was driven by these sites. Ca²⁺ bridging was important in enhancing removal of negatively charged Hg(II)-chloro complexes. In the presence of NOM, formation of soluble Hg-NOM complexes (as seen from speciation calculations), which have limited access to biochar pores, suppressed Hg(II) removal, but Cl^- and Ca²⁺ could still facilitate it. The ability of Ca²⁺ to aggregate NOM, including Hg-NOM complexes, promoted Hg(II) removal from the dissolved fraction (<0.45 μm). Hg(II) removal in the presence of Cl^- followed a stepwise mechanism. Weakly bound oxygen functional groups in NOM were outcompeted by Cl^-, forming smaller-sized Hg(II)-chloro complexes, which could access additional intraparticle sorption sites. Therein, Cl^- was outcompeted by S, which finally immobilized Hg(II) in SWP700 as confirmed by extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. We conclude that in NOM containing oxic waters, with relatively high molar ratios of Cl^-: NOM and Ca²⁺: NOM, Hg(II) removal can still be effective with SWP700.

Impacts of Forest Fire Ash on Aquatic Mercury Cycling

Mercury (Hg) is a ubiquitous contaminant in the environment and its methylated form, methylmercury (MeHg), poses a worldwide health concern for humans and wildlife, primarily through fish consumption. Global production of forest fire ash, derived from wildfires and prescribed burns, is rapidly increasing due to a warming climate, but their interactions with aqueous and sedimentary Hg are poorly understood. Herein, we compared the differences of wildfire ash with activated carbon and biochar on the sorption of aqueous inorganic Hg and sedimentary Hg methylation. Sorption of aqueous inorganic Hg was greatest for wildfire ash materials (up to 0.21 μg g^-1 or 2.2 μg g^-1 C) among all of the solid sorbents evaluated. A similar Hg adsorption mechanism for activated carbon, biochar made of walnut, and wildfire ash was found that involves the formation of complexes between Hg and oxygen-containing functional groups, especially the -COO group. Notably, increasing dissolved organic matter from 2.4 to 70 mg C L^-1 remarkably reduced Hg sorption (up to 40% reduction) and increased the time required to reach Hg-sorbent pseudo-equilibrium. Surprisingly, biochar and wildfire ash, but not activated carbon, stimulated MeHg production during anoxic sediment incubation, possibly due to the release of labile organic matter. Overall, our study indicates that while wildfire ash can sequester aqueous Hg, the leaching of its labile organic matter may promote production of toxic MeHg in anoxic sediments, which has an important implication for potential MeHg contamination in downstream aquatic ecosystems after wildfires.

The underappreciated role of natural organic matter bond Hg(II) and nanoparticulate HgS as substrates for methylation in paddy soils across a Hg concentration gradient

Rice consumption is the major pathway for human methylmercury (MeHg) exposure in inland China, especially in mercury (Hg) contaminated regions. MeHg production, a microbially driven process, depends on both the chemical speciation of inorganic divalent mercury, Hg(II), that determines Hg bioavailability for methylation. Studies have shown that Hg(II) speciation in contaminated paddy soils is mostly controlled by natural organic matter and sulfide levels, which are typically thought to limit Hg mobility and bioavailability. Yet, high levels of MeHg are found in rice, calling for reconsideration of the nature of Hg species bioavailable to methylators in paddy soils. Here, we conducted incubation experiments using a multi-isotope tracer technique including ¹⁹⁸Hg(NO₃)₂, natural organic matter bond Hg(II) (NOM-¹⁹⁹Hg(II)), ferrous sulfide sorbed Hg(II) (≡FeS-²⁰⁰Hg(II)), and nanoparticulate mercuric sulfide (nano-²⁰²HgS), to investigate the relative importance of geochemically diverse yet relevant Hg(II) species on Hg methylation in paddy soils across a Hg concentration gradient. We show that methylation rates for all Hg(II) species tested decreased with increasing Hg concentrations, and that methylation rates using NOM-¹⁹⁹Hg(II) and nano-²⁰²HgS as substrates were similar or greater than rates obtained using the labile ¹⁹⁸Hg(NO₃)₂ substrate. ≡FeS-²⁰⁰Hg(II) yielded the lowest methylation rate in all sites, and thus the formation of FeS is likely a sink for labile ¹⁹⁸Hg(NO₃)₂ in sulfide-rich paddy soils. Moreover, the variability in the methylation data for a given site (1 to 5-fold variation depending on the Hg species) was smaller than what was observed across the Hg concentration gradient (10³-10⁴ fold variation between sites). These findings emphasize that at broad spatial scales, site-specific characteristics, such as microbial community structure, need to be taken into consideration, alongside the nature of the Hg substrate available for methylation, to determine net MeHg production. This study highlights the importance of developing site-specific strategies for remediating Hg pollution.

Evaluation of engineered sorbents for the sorption of mercury from contaminated bank soils: a column study

As a global environmental pollutant, mercury (Hg) threatens our water resources and presents a substantial risk to human health. The rate and extent of immobilization of Hg2+ (hereafter, Hg) on engineered sorbents (Thiol-SAMMS®, pine biochar, SediMite™, Organoclay™ PM-199, and quartz sand as a control) was evaluated using flow-through column experiments. The effectiveness of the sorbents was based on (1) the percentage of Hg removed in relation to the total amount of Hg passing the sorbent column, and (2) the rate of Hg uptake compared to the nonreactive tracer bromide (Br-). All sorbents removed Hg to a certain extent, but none of the sorbents removed all the Hg introduced to the columns. Thiol-SAMMS showed the highest mean percentage of Hg removed (87% ± 2.9%), followed by Organoclay PM-199 (71% ± 0.4%), pine biochar (57% ± 22.3%), SediMite (61% ± 0.8%), and the control quartz sand (11% ± 5.6%). Thiol-SAMMS was the only sorbent to exhibit retardation of Hg in comparison to the conservative tracer Br-. For the remaining sorbents, Br- along with low concentrations of Hg were eluted within the first 3 pore volumes, indicating limited retardation of Hg. Overall, removal of Hg by sorbents was substantial, suggesting that sorbents might be suitable for deployment in contaminated environments. High concentrations of DOM leaching from the soil columns likely influenced the speciation of Hg and inhibited sorption to the sorbents. Incomplete removal of Hg by any sorbent suggests that additional optimization is needed to increase efficiency.

Effect of organic matter concentration and characteristics on mercury mobilization and methylmercury production at an abandoned mine site

Thousands of abandoned mines throughout the western region of North America contain elevated total-mercury (THg) concentrations. Mercury is mobilized from these sites primarily due to erosion of particulate-bound Hg (THg-P). Organic matter-based soil amendments can promote vegetation growth on mine tailings, reducing erosion and subsequent loading of THg-P into downstream waterbodies. However, the introduction of a labile carbon source may stimulate microbial activity that can produce methylmercury (MeHg)-the more toxic and bioaccumulative form of Hg. Our objectives were to investigate how additions of different organic matter substrates impact Hg mobilization and methylation using a combination of field observations and controlled experiments. Field measurements of water, sediment, and porewater were collected downstream of the site and multi-year monitoring (and load calculations) were conducted at a downstream gaging station. MeHg production was assessed using stable isotope methylation assays and mesocosm experiments that were conducted using different types of organic carbon soil amendments mixed with materials from the mine site. The results showed that >80% of the THg mobilized from the mine was bound to particles and that >90% of the annual Hg loading occurred during the period of elevated discharge during spring snowmelt. Methylation rates varied between different types of soil amendments and were correlated with the components of excitation emission matrices (EEMs) associated with humic acid fractions of organic matter. The mesocosm experiments showed that under anoxic conditions carbon amendments to tailings could significantly increase porewater MeHg concentrations (up to 13 ± 3 ng/L). In addition, the carbon amendments significantly increased THg partitioning into porewater. Overall, these results indicate that soil amendment applications to reduce surface erosion at abandoned mine sites could be effective at reducing particulate Hg mobilization to downstream waterbodies; however, some types of carbon amendments can significantly increase Hg methylation as well as increase the mobilization of dissolved THg from the site.

Amphiphilic Thiol Polymer Nanogel Removes Environmentally Relevant Mercury Species from Both Produced Water and Hydrocarbons

Technologies for removal of mercury from produced water and hydrocarbon phases are desired by oil and gas production facilities, oil refineries, and petrochemical plants. Herein, we synthesize and demonstrate the efficacy of an amphiphilic, thiol-abundant (11.8 wt % S, as thiol) polymer nanogel that can remove environmentally relevant mercury species from both produced water and the liquid hydrocarbon. The nanogel disperses in both aqueous and hydrocarbon phases. It has a high sorption affinity for dissolved Hg(II) complexes and Hg-dissolved organic matter complexes found in produced water and elemental (Hg⁰) and soluble Hg-alkyl thiol species found in hydrocarbons. X-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis indicates that the sorbed mercury is transformed to a surface-bound Hg(SR)₂ species in both water and hydrocarbon regardless of its initial speciation. The nanogel had high affinity to native mercury species present in real produced water (>99.5% removal) and in natural gas condensate (>85% removal) samples, removing majority of the mercury species using only a 50 mg L^-1 applied dose. This thiolated amphiphilic polymeric nanogel has significant potential to remove environmentally relevant mercury species from both water and hydrocarbon at low applied doses, outperforming reported sorbents like sulfur-impregnated activated carbons because of the mass of accessible thiol groups in the nanogel.

Impact of multiple drying and rewetting events on biochar amendments for Hg stabilization in floodplain soil from South River, VA

Frequent drying and rewetting due to flooding/precipitation and drainage events in floodplains induces changes in biogeochemical conditions that may influence the effectiveness of in situ Hg stabilization using biochars as soil amendments. This study evaluated two selected biochars anaerobic digestate (DIG) and sulfurized hardwood (MOAK)) as potential amendment materials in moderately reduced floodplain soil under repeated drying and rewetting events using a modified humidity cell protocol. Enhanced release of filter-passing (0.45-μm) total Hg (THg) and MeHg was observed at early times. Elevated concentrations of 0.45-μm THg were associated with DOC and Mn in sediment control and biochar-amended systems. Elevated concentrations of MeHg were associated with Mn in the MOAK-amended system. Thereafter, decreases in 0.45-μm (up to 57%) and unfiltered THg (up to 93%) were observed. As wetting and drying events continued, decreases in pH and alkalinity as well as increases in SO₄^2- (up to 796 mg L^-1) and Ca (up to 215 mg L^-1) were observed in the MOAK-amended systems with the microbial community shifted towards sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, indicating microbially-driven oxidation of MOAK. Although results of S K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) analysis suggest polysulfur is the predominant S phase in both MOAK- and DIG-amended systems, microbially-driven oxidation of DIG was not observed. Polysulfur in MOAK from the sulfurization process is more bioavailable to sulfur oxidizing communities than in DIG under the repeated drying and wetting conditions. Results of this study suggest biogeochemical conditions as well as biochar properties should be considered when planning full-scale field applications.

Publishing Environmental Assessment and Management Science: Crossing the Hurdles

Benefits accrue to scientists, resource managers, companies, and policymakers when environmental scientists publish in peer-reviewed journals. However, environmental scientists and practitioners face challenges, including the sometimes low value placed on journal articles, institutional vested interests in outcomes, and the changing priorities of employers and project sponsors. Confidentiality agreements can also lead scientists to assume publication is not an option. Case studies may be viewed by potential authors as too routine for peer-reviewed journals. On the basis of 30 years of experience, we suggest that publishing hurdles can be overcome and that environmental scientists have a range of options. The topics of manuscripts can include not only results from case studies and perspectives based on them but also byproducts of assessments, including definitions, plans, monitoring methods and models, and decision frameworks. Environmental scientists have unique opportunities to move science forward with their practical knowledge if they can move across the institutional, logistical, data-related, and content-related hurdles.

Mercury fractionation in tropical soils: A critical point of view

Problems related to specificity and re-precipitation of metals in sequential chemical extractions can impair their routine use. In order to test the efficiency of a sequential chemical procedure, model compounds composed by soil components commonly found in tropical soils such as goethite, Al-goethite, ferrihydrite, hematite, bauxite, and humic acid were incubated with either Hg(NO₃)₂ or HgSO₄ and submitted to chemical extraction. The procedure aims to assess: (i) water soluble Hg; (ii) bioaccessible Hg at pH near human stomach; (iii) Hg associated with organic matter; (iv) reduced Hg; (v) Hg associated with Fe, Al, and Mn oxides; and, (vi) residual Hg. This procedure was also tested via single and sequential extractions using the surface and subsurface samples of two tropical soils, i.e., a Rhodic Acrudox and a Typic Hapludox, with and without lime application. Soil samples were submitted to an adsorption experiment with HgCl₂ and a high adsorption percentage was observed. The majority of Hg at both single and sequential procedure was extracted by an acetic acid solution (pH = 2). Liming, soil depth, and soil type were not determinative on Hg extractability. The sequential extraction applied showed a lack specificity of Hg fractions, confirmed by the model components.

Mercury biogeochemical cycling: A synthesis of recent scientific advances

The focus of this paper is to briefly discuss the major advances in scientific thinking regarding: a) processes governing the fate and transport of mercury in the environment; b) advances in measurement methods; and c) how these advances in knowledge fit in within the context of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Details regarding the information summarized here can be found in the papers associated with this Virtual Special Issue of STOTEN.

Contaminated aquatic sediments

The remediation of contaminated aquatic sediments requires a range of expertise from assessment (investigation, risk evaluations, modeling, and remedy selection) to design and construction. Research in 2019 has added to knowledge on optimizing the use of passive samplers for assessing chemical concentrations in sediment porewater. The porewater and black carbon appear to be better predictors of contaminant bioaccumulation than total organic carbon alone. This has led to better characterization of potential risk at sediment sites. Tools to identify and model sources of chemicals have been developed and used particularly for some metals, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls. There is great emphasis on beneficially using dredged sediment, treating it as a resource rather than a waste. Amendments used in sediment caps continue to be refined including the use of activated carbon within the caps and by itself. A technique involving 16S rRNA has been established as a means of identifying microbiological composition that naturally degrade contaminants. © 2020 Water Environment Federation PRACTITIONER POINTS: Sediment capping technology continues to advance Sampling and testing methods continue to be refined Natural processes such as biodegradation are being better understood Beneficial use of dredged sediment continue to be emphasized.

Determination of (Bio)-available mercury in soils: A review

Despite the mercury (Hg) control measures adopted by the international community, Hg still poses a significant risk to ecosystem and human health. This is primarily due to the ability of atmospheric Hg to travel intercontinentally and contaminating terrestrial and aquatic environments far from its natural and anthropogenic point sources. The issue of Hg pollution is further complicated by its unique physicochemical characteristics, most noticeably its multiple chemical forms that vary in their toxicity and environmental mobility. This meant that most of the risk evaluation protocols developed for other metal(loid)s are not suitable for Hg. Soil is a major reservoir of Hg and a key player in its global cycle. To fully assess the risks of soil Hg it is essential to estimate its bioavailability and/or availability which are closely linked to its toxicity. However, the accurate determination of the (bio)-available pools of Hg in soils is problematic, because the terms 'bioavailable' and 'available' are ill-defined. In particular, the term 'bioavailable pool', representing the fraction of Hg that is accessible to living organisms, has been consistently misused by interchanging with other intrinsically different terms e.g. mobile, labile, reactive and soluble pools. A wide array of physical, chemical, biological and isotopic exchange methods were developed to estimate the (bio)-available pools of Hg in soil in an attempt to offer a plausible assessment of its risks. Unfortunately, many of these methods do not mirror the (bio)-available pools of soil Hg and suffer from technical drawbacks. In this review, we discuss advantages and disadvantages of methods that are currently applied to quantify the (bio)-availability of Hg in soils. We recommended the most feasible methods and give suggestions how to improve the determination of (bio)-available Hg in soils.

Negligible effect of potentially toxic elements and rare earth elements on mercury removal from contaminated waters by green, brown and red living marine macroalgae

Mercury (Hg) removal by six different living marine macroalgae, namely, Ulva intestinalis, Ulva lactuca, Fucus spiralis, Fucus vesiculosus, Gracilaria sp., and Osmundea pinnatifida was investigated in mono and multi-contamination scenarios. All macroalgae were tested under the same experimental conditions, evaluating the competition effects with all elements at the same initial molar concentration of 1 μmol dm^-3. The presence of the main potentially toxic elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb) and rare earth elements (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, and Y) has not affected the removal of Hg. Characterizations of the macroalgae by FTIR before and after the biosorption/bioaccumulation assays suggest that Hg was mainly linked to sulfur-functional groups, while the removal of other elements was related with other functional groups. The mechanisms involved point to biosorption of Hg on the macroalgae surface followed by possible incorporation of this metal into the macroalgae by metabolically active processes. Globally, the green macroalgae (Ulva intestinalis, Ulva lactuca) showed the best performances for Hg, potential toxic elements and rare earth elements removal from synthetic seawater spiked with 1 μmol dm^-3 of each element, at room temperature and pH 8.5.

Valuation of banana peels as an effective biosorbent for mercury removal under low environmental concentrations

The use of banana peels as biosorbent for mercury sorption from different aqueous solutions was investigated in this work. The impact of the operating conditions, such as biosorbent dosage, contact time and ionic strength was evaluated for realistic initial Hg(II) concentrations of 50 μg dm^-3. Biosorbent dosage and contact time showed more influence on Hg(II) removal than ionic strength, and their increase led to improve Hg(II) uptake achieving final concentrations with drinking water quality. The kinetic behaviour of the sorption process was assessed through the reaction-based models of pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and Elovich, being the last two more appropriated to describe the process. The equilibrium study showed that Freundlich isotherm provided the best fit to the experimental results (R² = 0.991), which may suggest a multilayer mechanism at biosorbent surface, and the sorption capacity of banana peels obtained from Langmuir isotherm was 0.75 mg g^-1. The ability of banana peels to sorb Hg(II) was also examined under real waters, like seawater and a wastewater, which confirmed the feasibility of the biosorbent. Additionally, a counter-current two-stages unit has been proposed for the application of banana peels as biosorbent in water treatments for mercury removal.

The assessment and remediation of mercury contaminated sites: A review of current approaches

Remediation of mercury (Hg) contaminated sites has long relied on traditional approaches, such as removal and containment/capping. Here we review contemporary practices in the assessment and remediation of industrial-scale Hg contaminated sites and discuss recent advances. Significant improvements have been made in site assessment, including the use of XRF to rapidly identify the spatial extent of contamination, Hg stable isotope fractionation to identify sources and transformation processes, and solid-phase characterization (XAFS) to evaluate Hg forms. The understanding of Hg bioavailability for methylation has been improved by methods such as sequential chemical extractions and porewater measurements, including the use of diffuse gradient in thin-film (DGT) samplers. These approaches have shown varying success in identifying bioavailable Hg fractions and further study and field applications are needed. The downstream accumulation of methylmercury (MeHg) in biota is a concern at many contaminated sites. Identifying the variables limiting/controlling MeHg production-such as bioavailable inorganic Hg, organic carbon, and/or terminal electron acceptors (e.g. sulfate, iron) is critical. Mercury can be released from contaminated sites to the air and water, both of which are influenced by meteorological and hydrological conditions. Mercury mobilized from contaminated sites is predominantly bound to particles, highly correlated with total sediment solids (TSS), and elevated during stormflow. Remediation techniques to address Hg contamination can include the removal or containment of Hg contaminated materials, the application of amendments to reduce mobility and bioavailability, landscape/waterbody manipulations to reduce MeHg production, and food web manipulations through stocking or extirpation to reduce MeHg accumulated in desired species. These approaches often rely on knowledge of the Hg forms/speciation at the site, and utilize physical, chemical, thermal and biological methods to achieve remediation goals. Overall, the complexity of Hg cycling allows many different opportunities to reduce/mitigate impacts, which creates flexibility in determining suitable and logistically feasible remedies.

Impacts of estuarine dissolved organic matter and suspended particles from fish farming on the biogeochemical cycling of mercury in Zhoushan island, eastern China Sea

Changes in the biogeochemical cycling of mercury (Hg) and Hg species were investigated in a typical marine aquaculture area located at Zhoushan island, Zhejiang province, east China. Mercury species were analyzed in different environmental samples collected during a field survey and a simulation batch experiment. The field work comprised both summer and winter collection of water and sediment samples from marine aquaculture sites (MAS) in a field survey and from corresponding reference sites (CRS) located 2500 m from the MAS. THg concentrations in water were 91.3 ± 70.3 and 115 ± 22.6 pmol L^-1 in summer and winter, respectively. Particulate Hg accounting for ˃60% of THg and positively correlated with total suspended solid content in water. Dissolved organic carbon in water was positively correlated with dissolved Hg. Significantly higher (p < 0.001, F = 102) total methylmercury (TMeHg) contents were observed in MAS (0.31 ± 0.26 ng g^-1) than in CRS (0.06 ± 0.03 ng g^-1) in the sediment solid phase. Moreover, MeHg formation rate in MAS was clearly higher than in CRS in the simulation experiment. Both the field survey and the simulation experiment highlighted the readier formation of MeHg in MAS than in CRS. TMeHg levels in blackhead seabream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii), red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) and perch (Perca fluviatilis) were only 52.7 ± 5.74, 23.7 ± 2.51 and 24.3 ± 3.86 ng g^-1, values significantly lower than the safety guideline (1000 ng g^-1) established by the World Health Organization.

Remediation of mercury contaminated soil, water, and air: A review of emerging materials and innovative technologies

Mercury contamination in soil, water and air is associated with potential toxicity to humans and ecosystems. Industrial activities such as coal combustion have led to increased mercury (Hg) concentrations in different environmental media. This review critically evaluates recent developments in technological approaches for the remediation of Hg contaminated soil, water and air, with a focus on emerging materials and innovative technologies. Extensive research on various nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), nanosheets and magnetic nanocomposites, for mercury removal are investigated. This paper also examines other emerging materials and their characteristics, including graphene, biochar, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), layered double hydroxides (LDHs) as well as other materials such as clay minerals and manganese oxides. Based on approaches including adsorption/desorption, oxidation/reduction and stabilization/containment, the performances of innovative technologies with the aid of these materials were examined. In addition, technologies involving organisms, such as phytoremediation, algae-based mercury removal, microbial reduction and constructed wetlands, were also reviewed, and the role of organisms, especially microorganisms, in these techniques are illustrated.