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Bartley MC, Tremblay T, De Silva AO, Michelle Kamula C, Ciastek S, Kuzyk ZZA. Sedimentary records of contaminant inputs in Frobisher Bay, Nunavut. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 18:100313. [PMID: 37860827 PMCID: PMC10582354 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2023.100313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Contaminants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, and per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), primarily reach the Arctic through long-range atmospheric and oceanic transport. However, local sources within the Arctic also contribute to the levels observed in the environment, including legacy sources and new sources that arise from activities associated with increasing commercial and industrial development. The City of Iqaluit in Frobisher Bay, Nunavut (Canada), has seen rapid population growth and associated development during recent decades yet remains a site of interest for ocean protection, where Inuit continue to harvest country food. In the present study, seven dated marine sediment cores collected in Koojesse Inlet near Iqaluit, and from sites in inner and outer Frobisher Bay, respectively, were analyzed for total mercury (THg), major and trace elements, PAHs, PCBs, and PFASs. The sedimentary record in Koojesse Inlet shows a period of Aroclor 1260-like PCB input concurrent with military site presence in the 1950-60s, followed by decades of input of pyrogenic PAHs, averaging about ten times background levels. Near-surface sediments in Koojesse Inlet also show evidence of transient local-source inputs of THg and PFASs, and recycling or continued slow release of PCBs from legacy land-based sources. Differences in PFAS congener composition clearly distinguish the local sources from long-range transport. Outside Koojesse Inlet but still in inner Frobisher Bay, 9.2 km from Iqaluit, sediments showed evidence of both local source (PCB) and long-range transport. In outer Frobisher Bay, an up-core increase in THg and PFASs in sediments may be explained by ongoing inputs of these contaminants from long-range transport. The context for ocean protection and country food harvesting in this region of the Arctic clearly involves both local sources and long-range transport, with past human activities leaving a long legacy insofar as levels of persistent organic pollutants are concerned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meaghan C. Bartley
- Centre for Earth Observation Science, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth and Resources, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
- Department of Environment and Geography, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth and Resources, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Tommy Tremblay
- Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office, Iqaluit, Nunavut, X0A 0H0, Canada
| | - Amila O. De Silva
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - C. Michelle Kamula
- Centre for Earth Observation Science, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth and Resources, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Stephen Ciastek
- Centre for Earth Observation Science, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth and Resources, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Zou Zou A. Kuzyk
- Centre for Earth Observation Science, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth and Resources, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
- Department of Environment and Geography, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth and Resources, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
- Department of Earth Sciences, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth and Resources, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
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Kohler SG, Kull LM, Heimbürger-Boavida LE, Ricardo de Freitas T, Sanchez N, Ndungu K, Ardelan MV. Distribution pattern of mercury in northern Barents Sea and Eurasian Basin surface sediment. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 185:114272. [PMID: 36330938 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Marine sediment is a significant sink for the global pollutant mercury. In a rapidly changing Arctic region, mercury (Hg) bioaccumulation in the marine ecosystem remains a prominent environmental issue. Here, we report surface sediment (0-2 cm) concentrations of Hg and other toxic elements of interest (Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu, As, Cd, Pb) in the northern Barents Sea and Eurasian Basin. We observed average Hg concentrations of 65 ± 23 ng/g with the highest concentration of 116 ng/g in the Eurasian Basin. Our calculated enrichment factors suggest low anthropogenic enrichment for mercury, chromium, nickel, and copper. Mercury and trace element geographic patterns are best explained by the origin and transportation of fine grain sediment towards the Eurasian Basin, with scavenging by both particulate organic carbon and metal oxides as significant delivery mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen G Kohler
- Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Laura M Kull
- Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Lars-Eric Heimbürger-Boavida
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS/INSU, University de Toulon, IRD, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO), Bât. Méditerranée, Campus de Luminy-Océanomed, 13009 Marseille, France.
| | | | - Nicolas Sanchez
- Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Kuria Ndungu
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Økernveien 94, NO-0579 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Murat V Ardelan
- Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
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Marchese E, Bizzotto EC, Giubilato E, Semenzin E, Marcomini A. Pre-industrial sediment concentrations of metals: insights from the Venice lagoon (Italy). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:85829-85838. [PMID: 36242659 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23378-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the occurrence of selected metals and metalloids (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn) in radio-dated sediment cores from a coastal lagoon (Lagoon of Venice, Italy) by critically reviewing and grouping available data. Pre-industrial concentrations (pICs, estimated for the period before the early 1900s) for the Venice lagoon are identified according to the 2σ statistical procedure (2σ-pICs), i.e., the upper bound values of the dataset distribution. Results show the following 2σ-pICs (µg/g, d.w.): As 15,9; Cd 0,6; Cr 38,0; Cu 18,1; Hg 1,1; Ni 32,9; Pb 29,4; Zn 94,5. Most of the estimated 2σ-pICs are comparable to previously assessed background values. In the case of Hg, on the contrary, 2σ-pIC is remarkably higher than background values, reflecting a significant anthropogenic contribution also in the pre-industrial period. The results of this work may support the evaluation of the temporal evolution of metal concentrations in sediments of the Venice lagoon. Results are compared with background concentrations (BC) observed in previous studies conducted in the lagoon and in other areas of the Adriatic Sea, as well as with benchmarks set in Italy for sediment assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Marchese
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, via Torino 155, 30172, Mestre-Venice, Italy
| | - Elisa Chiara Bizzotto
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, via Torino 155, 30172, Mestre-Venice, Italy
| | - Elisa Giubilato
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, via Torino 155, 30172, Mestre-Venice, Italy
| | - Elena Semenzin
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, via Torino 155, 30172, Mestre-Venice, Italy
| | - Antonio Marcomini
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, via Torino 155, 30172, Mestre-Venice, Italy.
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Korejwo E, Saniewska D, Bełdowski J, Balazy P, Saniewski M. Mercury concentration and speciation in benthic organisms from Isfjorden, Svalbard. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 184:114115. [PMID: 36137440 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Polar regions are an important part of the global mercury cycle and interesting study sites due to different possible mercury sources. The full understanding of mercury transformations in the Arctic is difficult because this region is the systems in transition -where the effects of the global climate change are the most prominent. Benthic organisms can be valuable bioindicators of heavy metal contamination. In July 2018, selected benthic organisms: macroalgae, brittle stars, sea urchins, gastropods, and starfish were collected in Isfjorden, Spitsbergen. Two of the sampling stations were located inside the fjord system and one at the entrance to the fjord. The results showed that the starfish were the most contaminated with mercury. Total mercury concentrations in these organisms were at least 10 times higher than in other organisms. However, they effectively deal with mercury by transporting it to hard tissue. The dominant form of mercury was the labile form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Korejwo
- Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, 81-412 Sopot. Poland.
| | - Dominika Saniewska
- Institute of Oceanography, University of Gdańsk, Al. Marszałka Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland
| | - Jacek Bełdowski
- Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, 81-412 Sopot. Poland
| | - Piotr Balazy
- Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, 81-412 Sopot. Poland
| | - Michał Saniewski
- Institute of Meteorology and Water Management - National Research Institute, Waszyngtona 42, 81-342 Gdynia, Poland
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Joe DJ, Choi MS, Um IK, Choi SH, Park SJ. Mercury contamination of sediments in an open coastal area of the Hupo Basin, East Sea, Korea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 182:113980. [PMID: 35932726 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113980] [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: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) contamination in open coastal areas has attracted public concern regarding safe fish consumption and management of the coastal environment, especially in areas of accidental Hg spills on inland coasts. This study investigated the temporal and spatial distribution of Hg in sediments of Youngil Bay and the Hupo Basin, East Sea, Korea; it also discussed the sources and transport of anthropogenic Hg. Hg hot spots were found in the northern Hupo Basin (elevated by 2-3×) and the river mouth area in Youngil Bay (elevated by approximately 70×). The river mouth contamination resulted from the destruction of a dam impounding landfill waste, while the basin contamination was attributed to atmospheric deposition and Hg enrichment associated with increased organic carbon concentrations driven by high biological production in the coastal upwelling area. Spilled Hg was transported to open coastal areas up to 36.6°N.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Jin Joe
- Department of Marine Environmental Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Man Sik Choi
- Department of Marine Environmental Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea.
| | - In Kwon Um
- Petroleum and Marine Research Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Daejeon 34132, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Hu Choi
- Department of Marine Environmental Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - So Jung Park
- Department of Marine Environmental Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
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Substantial accumulation of mercury in the deepest parts of the ocean and implications for the environmental mercury cycle. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2102629118. [PMID: 34903647 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2102629118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities have led to widespread contamination with mercury (Hg), a potent neurotoxin that bioaccumulates through food webs. Recent models estimated that, presently, 200 to 600 t of Hg is sequestered annually in deep-sea sediments, approximately doubling since industrialization. However, most studies did not extend to the hadal zone (6,000- to 11,000-m depth), the deepest ocean realm. Here, we report on measurements of Hg and related parameters in sediment cores from four trench regions (1,560 to 10,840 m), showing that the world's deepest ocean realm is accumulating Hg at remarkably high rates (depth-integrated minimum-maximum: 24 to 220 μg ⋅ m-2 ⋅ y-1) greater than the global deep-sea average by a factor of up to 400, with most Hg in these trenches being derived from the surface ocean. Furthermore, vertical profiles of Hg concentrations in trench cores show notable increasing trends from pre-1900 [average 51 ± 14 (1σ) ng ⋅ g-1] to post-1950 (81 ± 32 ng ⋅ g-1). This increase cannot be explained by changes in the delivery rate of organic carbon alone but also need increasing Hg delivery from anthropogenic sources. This evidence, along with recent findings on the high abundance of methylmercury in hadal biota [R. Sun et al, Nat. Commun. 11, 3389 (2020); J. D. Blum et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 117, 29292-29298 (2020)], leads us to propose that hadal trenches are a large marine sink for Hg and may play an important role in the regulation of the global biogeochemical cycle of Hg.
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Pan J, Zhong W, Wei Z, Ouyang J, Shang S, Ye S, Chen Y, Xue J, Tang X. A 15,400-year record of natural and anthropogenic input of mercury (Hg) in a sub-alpine lacustrine sediment succession from the western Nanling Mountains, South China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:20478-20489. [PMID: 32246428 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08421-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A 15400-year mercury (Hg) accumulation history was reconstructed from a lake sediment core collected from Daping Swamp in western Nanling Mountains, South China. Our results show that the natural input of Hg was deeply influenced by varying climatic conditions. Under wet and warm conditions, increased surface soil organic matter induced by improved vegetation conditions favor an increased input of surface soil-bound Hg to the lake, thus leading to higher Hg accumulation rate, and on the other hand, the direct atmospheric wet deposition of Hg into the lake would also be enhanced. In contrast, under relatively cold and dry conditions, it would display an inverse picture. The signal of anthropogenic influence possibly derived from regional Hg pollution likely started at ~ 3400 cal. years BP, roughly corresponding to the early stage of the Shang Dynasty in Chinese history. Four periods of increased anthropogenic Hg inputs appeared in ~ 3358-2170, ~ 2170-1730, ~ 1369-1043, and especially ~ 600-250 cal. years BP, corresponded to the Shang and Zhou, the Qin and Han, the Sui and Tang, and the Ming and Qing dynasties in China, respectively. A clearly weakened anthropogenic input occurred between~1750 and 1400 cal. years BP, coinciding with the Three Kingdoms to the Southern and Northern Dynasties. Our results revealed the history of the natural Hg accumulation since the Last Deglacial period, and the existence of regional atmospheric Hg induced from anthropogenic activity spanning the last ~ 3400 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Pan
- School of Geography Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Zhong
- School of Geography Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhiqiang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, 519087, China
| | - Jun Ouyang
- School of Geography Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, Guangdong, China
| | - Shengtan Shang
- School of Geography Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, Guangdong, China
| | - Susu Ye
- Guangdong center for Marine development research, Guangzhou, 510220, China
| | - Yuanhan Chen
- School of Geography Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, Guangdong, China
| | - Jibin Xue
- School of Geography Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaowen Tang
- School of Geography Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, Guangdong, China
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Cooke CA, Martínez-Cortizas A, Bindler R, Sexauer Gustin M. Environmental archives of atmospheric Hg deposition - A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 709:134800. [PMID: 31887515 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Environmental archives offer an opportunity to reconstruct temporal trends in atmospheric Hg deposition at various timescales. Lake sediment and peat have been the most widely used archives; however, new records from ice, tree rings, and the measurement of Hg stable isotopes, are offering new insights into past Hg cycling. Preindustrial Hg deposition has been studied over decadal to millennial timescales extending as far back as the late Pleistocene. Exploitation of mercury deposits (mainly cinnabar) first began during the mid to late Holocene in South America, Europe, and Asia, but increased dramatically during the Colonial era (1532-1900) for silver production. However, evidence for preindustrial Hg pollution is restricted to regions directly downwind or downstream of cinnabar or precious metal mining centers. Excluding these areas, there has been an approximately four-fold increase in atmospheric deposition globally over the industrial era (i.e., since 1800-1850), though regional differences exist, especially during the early 20th Century. Lake sediments, peat, ice, and tree rings are all influenced by (and integrate) a range of processes. For example, lake sediments are influenced by atmospheric deposition, sediment focusing, and the input of allochthonous material from the watershed, peat records reflect atmospheric deposition and biotic uptake, ice cores are a record of Hg scrubbed during precipitation, and tree rings record atmospheric concentrations. No archive represents an absolute record of past Hg deposition or concentrations, and post-depositional transformation of Hg profiles remains an important topic of research. However, natural archives continue to provide important insight into atmospheric Hg cycling over various timescales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin A Cooke
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada; Environmental Monitoring and Science Division, Alberta Environment and Parks, Government of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5C6 Canada.
| | - Antonio Martínez-Cortizas
- EcoPast (GI-1553), Facultade de Bioloxía, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Richard Bindler
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mae Sexauer Gustin
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada-Reno Reno, Nevada 89557, United States
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Štrok M, Baya PA, Dietrich D, Dimock B, Hintelmann H. Mercury speciation and mercury stable isotope composition in sediments from the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 671:655-665. [PMID: 30939318 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Total mercury (THg) and monomethylmercury (MMHg) concentrations as well as mercury (Hg) isotope ratios were determined in sediment cores sampled from six locations from the Canadian Arctic Archipelago (CAA). At most sites, THg concentrations showed a decreasing trend with depth, ranging from 5 to 61 ng/g, implicating possible increased Hg deposition and/or riverine inputs in top sediment layers. MMHg values showed large oscillations within the top 10 cm of the cores. This variability decreased at the bottom of the cores with MMHg concentrations ranging from less than12 to up to 1073 pg/g. Average concentrations of THg and MMHg in the top 10 cm were linearly correlated, whereas no correlation was observed with organic matter (loss on ignition). Mercury isotope ratios showed negative values for both δ202Hg (-1.59 to -0.55‰) and Δ199Hg (-0.62 to -0.01‰). δ202Hg values became more negative with depth, while the opposite was observed for Δ199Hg. The former is consistent with predicted historical atmospheric Hg trends as a result of increased coal burning worldwide. Hg isotope ratio measurements in CAA sediments offer additional opportunities to trace Hg processes and sources in the Arctic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Štrok
- Trent University, Department of Chemistry, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9J7B8, Canada; Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Pascale Anabelle Baya
- Trent University, Department of Chemistry, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9J7B8, Canada
| | - Dörthe Dietrich
- Trent University, Department of Chemistry, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9J7B8, Canada; University of Münster, Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Corrensstrasse, 30, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Brian Dimock
- Trent University, Department of Chemistry, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9J7B8, Canada.
| | - Holger Hintelmann
- Trent University, Department of Chemistry, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9J7B8, Canada.
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Prediction of Holocene Mercury Accumulation Trends by Combining Palynological and Geochemical Records of Lake Sediments (Black Forest, Germany). GEOSCIENCES 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/geosciences8100358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Forest vegetation plays a key role in the cycling of mercury (Hg) and organic matter (OM) in terrestrial ecosystems. Litterfall has been indicated as the major transport vector of atmospheric Hg to forest soils, which is eventually transported and stored in the sediments of forest lakes. Hence, it is important to understand how changes in forest vegetation affect Hg in soil and its biogeochemical cycling in lake systems. We investigated the pollen records and the geochemical compositions of sediments from two lakes (Schurmsee and Glaswaldsee) in the Black Forest (Germany) to evaluate whether long-term shifts in forest vegetation induced by climate or land use influenced Hg accumulation in the lakes. We were particularly interested to determine whether coniferous forests were associated with a larger export of Hg to aquatic systems than deciduous forests. Principal components analysis followed by principal component regression enabled us to describe the evolution of the weight of the latent processes determining the accumulation of Hg over time. Our results emphasize that the in-lake uptake of Hg during warm climate periods, soil erosion after deforestation and emissions from mining and other human activities triggered changes in Hg accumulation during the Holocene stronger than the changes caused by forest vegetation alone.
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Kim J, Lim D, Jung D, Kang J, Jung H, Woo H, Jeong K, Xu Z. Sedimentary mercury (Hg) in the marginal seas adjacent to Chinese high-Hg emissions: Source-to-sink, mass inventory, and accumulation history. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 128:428-437. [PMID: 29571393 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.01.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We comprehensively investigated sedimentary Hg in Yellow and East China Seas (YECSs), which constitute potentially important depocenters for large anthropogenic Hg emissions from mainland China. A large dataset of Al-TOC-Hg concentrations led to an in-depth understanding of sedimentary Hg in the entire YECSs, including distribution and its determinants, source-to-sink, background levels, inventory in flux and budget, and accumulation history. Especially, the net atmospheric Hg flux to the sediments was estimated to be 1.3 × 10-5 g/m2/yr, which corresponded reasonably well to that calculated using a box model. About 21.2 tons of atmospheric Hg (approximately 4% of the total anthropogenic atmospheric Hg emissions from China) were buried annually in the YECS basin. This result implies that most of atmospheric Hg from China is transferred to the surface of the Pacific (including the East/Japan Sea and South China Sea) by the westerlies and, consequently, can play a critical role in open-sea aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihun Kim
- Department of Marine Environmental Science, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 305-320, Republic of Korea; South Sea Research Institute, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea
| | - Dhongil Lim
- Department of Marine Environmental Science, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 305-320, Republic of Korea; South Sea Research Institute, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dohyun Jung
- South Sea Research Institute, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongwon Kang
- Department of Marine Geology and Geophysics, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, 385 Haeyang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hoisoo Jung
- Department of Marine Geology and Geophysics, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, 385 Haeyang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hanjun Woo
- Department of Marine Geology and Geophysics, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, 385 Haeyang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kapsik Jeong
- Department of Marine Geology and Geophysics, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, 385 Haeyang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Zhaokai Xu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Geology and Environment, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Geology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266061, China.
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12
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Liu Y, Chai X, Hao Y, Gao X, Lu Z, Zhao Y, Zhang J, Cai M. Total mercury and methylmercury distributions in surface sediments from Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, Norwegian Arctic. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:8603-8610. [PMID: 25563828 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3942-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) distributions in the surface sediments of Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, in the Norwegian Arctic were investigated in this study. The results showed that THg concentrations ranged from 9.11 to 86.73 ng g(-1), whereas MeHg concentrations had an average of only 0.11 ng g(-1). Factors that control the distribution and methylated transformation of mercury were examined, and the results suggested that the movements of ocean currents and glaciers affect the THg distribution. The total organic carbon (TOC) and N contents in the sediments were positively correlated with THg concentration, which indicated that the THg distribution at these stations was primarily controlled by organic matter in the sediments. A complex relationship was observed between the THg and S contents, possibly due to anthropogenic activities involved in the perennial scientific expedition. MeHg and THg exhibited similar correlations with the sediment chemical characteristics for all stations suggesting that MeHg may be produced locally through the microbial methylation of mercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
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Braune B, Chételat J, Amyot M, Brown T, Clayden M, Evans M, Fisk A, Gaden A, Girard C, Hare A, Kirk J, Lehnherr I, Letcher R, Loseto L, Macdonald R, Mann E, McMeans B, Muir D, O'Driscoll N, Poulain A, Reimer K, Stern G. Mercury in the marine environment of the Canadian Arctic: review of recent findings. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 509-510:67-90. [PMID: 24953756 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.05.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Revised: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
This review summarizes data and information which have been generated on mercury (Hg) in the marine environment of the Canadian Arctic since the previous Canadian Arctic Contaminants Assessment Report (CACAR) was released in 2003. Much new information has been collected on Hg concentrations in marine water, snow and ice in the Canadian Arctic. The first measurements of methylation rates in Arctic seawater indicate that the water column is an important site for Hg methylation. Arctic marine waters were also found to be a substantial source of gaseous Hg to the atmosphere during the ice-free season. High Hg concentrations have been found in marine snow as a result of deposition following atmospheric mercury depletion events, although much of this Hg is photoreduced and re-emitted back to the atmosphere. The most extensive sampling of marine sediments in the Canadian Arctic was carried out in Hudson Bay where sediment total Hg (THg) concentrations were low compared with other marine regions in the circumpolar Arctic. Mass balance models have been developed to provide quantitative estimates of THg fluxes into and out of the Arctic Ocean and Hudson Bay. Several recent studies on Hg biomagnification have improved our understanding of trophic transfer of Hg through marine food webs. Over the past several decades, Hg concentrations have increased in some marine biota, while other populations showed no temporal change. Marine biota also exhibited considerable geographic variation in Hg concentrations with ringed seals, beluga and polar bears from the Beaufort Sea region having higher Hg concentrations compared with other parts of the Canadian Arctic. The drivers of these variable patterns of Hg bioaccumulation, both regionally and temporally, within the Canadian Arctic remain unclear. Further research is needed to identify the underlying processes including the interplay between biogeochemical and food web processes and climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Braune
- Environment Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Raven Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0H3.
| | - John Chételat
- Environment Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Raven Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0H3
| | - Marc Amyot
- Département de sciences biologiques, Université de Montréal, CP 6128, Succ. Centre-Ville Pavillon Marie-Victorin, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3C 3 J7
| | - Tanya Brown
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Institute of Ocean Sciences, 9860 West Saanich Road, PO Box 6000, Sidney, British Columbia, Canada V8L 4B2; Royal Military College of Canada, PO Box 17000, Station Forces, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7K 7B4
| | - Meredith Clayden
- Canadian Rivers Institute and Biology Department, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada E2L 4L5
| | - Marlene Evans
- Environment Canada, National Water Research Institute, 11 Innovation Blvd., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 3H5
| | - Aaron Fisk
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave., Windsor, Ontario, Canada N9B 3P4
| | - Ashley Gaden
- Centre for Earth Observation Science, 497 Wallace Bldg., University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2
| | - Catherine Girard
- Département de sciences biologiques, Université de Montréal, CP 6128, Succ. Centre-Ville Pavillon Marie-Victorin, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3C 3 J7
| | - Alex Hare
- Centre for Earth Observation Science, 497 Wallace Bldg., University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2
| | - Jane Kirk
- Environment Canada, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario, Canada L7R 4A6
| | - Igor Lehnherr
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9
| | - Robert Letcher
- Environment Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Raven Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0H3
| | - Lisa Loseto
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Freshwater Institute, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N6
| | - Robie Macdonald
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Institute of Ocean Sciences, 9860 West Saanich Road, PO Box 6000, Sidney, British Columbia, Canada V8L 4B2
| | - Erin Mann
- Department of Environmental Science, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada B4P 2R6
| | - Bailey McMeans
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave., Windsor, Ontario, Canada N9B 3P4
| | - Derek Muir
- Environment Canada, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario, Canada L7R 4A6
| | - Nelson O'Driscoll
- Department of Environmental Science, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada B4P 2R6
| | - Alexandre Poulain
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 6N5
| | - Ken Reimer
- Royal Military College of Canada, PO Box 17000, Station Forces, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7K 7B4
| | - Gary Stern
- Centre for Earth Observation Science, 497 Wallace Bldg., University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2; Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Freshwater Institute, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N6
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Bełdowski J, Miotk M, Zaborska A, Pempkowiak J. Distribution of sedimentary mercury off Svalbard, European Arctic. CHEMOSPHERE 2015; 122:190-198. [PMID: 25532769 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.11.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2014] [Revised: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 11/22/2014] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The European Arctic, including the Svalbard archipelago, receives mercury loads due to long range atmospheric transport, local contamination, melting of glaciers and as a result of bedrock weathering. Few studies have been devoted to the contamination history and sources of sedimentary mercury in the Svalbard area. This knowledge gap is addressed in this study. Concentrations of total mercury (10-80ng/g), fractions of mercury differing with affinity to the sediment matrix (88-97% refractory, 3-12% mobile), organic and methyl mercury (100-500pg/g) were measured in surface and subsurface sediments in the Spitsbergen fjords and in the Barents Sea off Svalbard. The atmospheric mercury signal can be observed in the Barents Sea, while in the Svalbard fjords it is strongly modified by supply of mercury from natural sources that may include weathering of rocks and glaciers melting, all modified by organic matter supply. Sedimentary methyl mercury concentrations seem to be dependent on environmental factors affecting mercury methylation rather than on location of sampling stations.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Bełdowski
- Institute of Oceanology, PO Box 197, Sopot, Poland.
| | - M Miotk
- Institute of Oceanology, PO Box 197, Sopot, Poland
| | - A Zaborska
- Institute of Oceanology, PO Box 197, Sopot, Poland
| | - J Pempkowiak
- Institute of Oceanology, PO Box 197, Sopot, Poland
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15
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Meng M, Shi JB, Liu CB, Zhu NL, Shao JJ, He B, Cai Y, Jiang GB. Biomagnification of mercury in mollusks from coastal areas of the Chinese Bohai Sea. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra02919h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomagnification of methylmercury and growth dilution of inorganic mercury were found during the trophic transfer of mercury in different mollusk species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing 100085
- China
| | - Jian-bo Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing 100085
- China
| | - Cheng-bin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing 100085
- China
| | - Na-li Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing 100085
- China
| | - Jun-juan Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing 100085
- China
| | - Bin He
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing 100085
- China
| | - Yong Cai
- Institute of Environment and Health
- Jianghan University
- Wuhan 430056
- China
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and Southeast Environmental Research Center
| | - Gui-bin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing 100085
- China
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16
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Calculating Rates and Dates and Interpreting Contaminant Profiles in Biomixed Sediments. ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-017-9541-8_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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17
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Outridge PM, Wang F. The Stability of Metal Profiles in Freshwater and Marine Sediments. ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-017-9541-8_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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18
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Xu W, Yan W, Huang W, Chen Z, Wang S, Miao L, Zhong L, Chen H. Mercury profiles in surface sediments from ten bays along the coast of Southern China. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2013; 76:394-399. [PMID: 23948092 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.07.047] [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: 05/23/2013] [Revised: 07/23/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Spatial and temporal variations of mercury (Hg) were investigated from ten representative bays along the coast of Southern China. The total Hg (THg) in surface sediments varied widely with concentrations from 25 to 264 ng/g. As a whole, Hg pollution in several bays occupied by busy sea traffic and industrial activities, such as Shantou (ST) Bay and Dapeng (DP) Bay were remarkably more serious than others, which reflected the direct effects of anthropogenic activities around the coastal areas. Hg variations in sediment cores clearly display upcore rising trend which obviously correlates with the trend of economic development and urbanization in the last five decades. No significant correlations were found between Hg and organic matter and particle size, suggesting that the distribution of Hg is not fully controlled by these variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihai Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marginal Sea Geology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
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19
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Figueiredo TS, Albuquerque ALS, Sanders CJ, Cordeiro LGMS, Silva-Filho EV. Mercury deposition during the previous century in an upwelling region; Cabo Frio, Brazil. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2013; 76:389-393. [PMID: 23972679 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.07.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2013] [Revised: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the upwelling influence on Hg biogeochemical cycles and the sedimentological changes during the previous ≈ 150 years, four sediment box-cores were sampled along an inshore offshore transect on the Southeastern Brazilian continental shelf. Mercury values were found to be relatively low, with means ranging between 8.08 and 30.4 ng g(-1). Mercury fluxes along the sediment cores are directly related to the well documented historical regional activity and global atmospheric deposition. The narrow relationship between mercury and organic carbon suggest that upwelling phenomenon and primary production may play an important role on Hg input and distribution along continental shelf depositional settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago S Figueiredo
- Depto. Geoquímica, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro São João Batista s/n, Centro, Niterói, RJ CEP 24020-141, Brazil
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20
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Goodsite ME, Outridge PM, Christensen JH, Dastoor A, Muir D, Travnikov O, Wilson S. How well do environmental archives of atmospheric mercury deposition in the Arctic reproduce rates and trends depicted by atmospheric models and measurements? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2013; 452-453:196-207. [PMID: 23506852 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.02.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2012] [Revised: 02/17/2013] [Accepted: 02/17/2013] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
This review compares the reconstruction of atmospheric Hg deposition rates and historical trends over recent decades in the Arctic, inferred from Hg profiles in natural archives such as lake and marine sediments, peat bogs and glacial firn (permanent snowpack), against those predicted by three state-of-the-art atmospheric models based on global Hg emission inventories from 1990 onwards. Model veracity was first tested against atmospheric Hg measurements. Most of the natural archive and atmospheric data came from the Canadian-Greenland sectors of the Arctic, whereas spatial coverage was poor in other regions. In general, for the Canadian-Greenland Arctic, models provided good agreement with atmospheric gaseous elemental Hg (GEM) concentrations and trends measured instrumentally. However, there are few instrumented deposition data with which to test the model estimates of Hg deposition, and these data suggest models over-estimated deposition fluxes under Arctic conditions. Reconstructed GEM data from glacial firn on Greenland Summit showed the best agreement with the known decline in global Hg emissions after about 1980, and were corroborated by archived aerosol filter data from Resolute, Nunavut. The relatively stable or slowly declining firn and model GEM trends after 1990 were also corroborated by real-time instrument measurements at Alert, Nunavut, after 1995. However, Hg fluxes and trends in northern Canadian lake sediments and a southern Greenland peat bog did not exhibit good agreement with model predictions of atmospheric deposition since 1990, the Greenland firn GEM record, direct GEM measurements, or trends in global emissions since 1980. Various explanations are proposed to account for these discrepancies between atmosphere and archives, including problems with the accuracy of archive chronologies, climate-driven changes in Hg transfer rates from air to catchments, waters and subsequently into sediments, and post-depositional diagenesis in peat bogs. However, no general consensus in the scientific community has been achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Goodsite
- AU Herning, Aarhus University, Herning, Denmark.
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21
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Li HB, Yu S, Li GL, Deng H, Xu B, Ding J, Gao JB, Hong YW, Wong MH. Spatial distribution and historical records of mercury sedimentation in urban lakes under urbanization impacts. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2013; 445-446:117-125. [PMID: 23327992 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2012] [Revised: 12/07/2012] [Accepted: 12/15/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
China is assumed one of the largest contributors to the world's total mercury (Hg) emissions, with a rapid increase in anthropogenic Hg emissions. However, little is known about Hg fate and transport in urban areas of China. In this study, total Hg contents in surface (0-5 cm) sediments from lakes in 14 parks (3 in the central urban core (CUC) area, 5 in the developed urban (DDU) area, 2 in the developing urban (DIU) area, and 4 in the suburban (SU) area) and (210)Pb-dated sediment cores from lakes in 5 parks (3 in the CUC and 2 in the DDU) in Shanghai were assessed to compare current patterns (urbanization effect) with the historical records of Hg emissions over the past century. Total Hg content in surface sediments showed a clear urbanization pattern. Dated sediment cores revealed a 2-3 fold increase in total Hg content, while Hg fluxes exponentially increased from ~1900 to present and accelerated since 1990 when China's economy and urbanization booms started. Anthropogenic Hg fluxes in post-2000 ranged from 253 to 1452 μg m(-2) yr(-1), 2-7 times greater than preindustrial (pre-1900) Hg fluxes. Total Hg and Pb contents in both surface sediments and sediment cores were highly correlated and Hg flux in sediment cores also significantly correlated with annual coal consumption in the period 1949-2008. The significant correlations suggest that coal combustion is a major source of Hg emission in Shanghai.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Bo Li
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
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22
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Foster KL, Stern GA, Pazerniuk MA, Hickie B, Walkusz W, Wang F, Macdonald RW. Mercury biomagnification in marine zooplankton food webs in Hudson Bay. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2012; 46:12952-12959. [PMID: 23157666 DOI: 10.1021/es303434p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
While much research has been carried out on mercury in large marine mammals and associated food webs in northern regions, comparatively less has been conducted on lower trophic levels including zooplankton and the subsequent transfer to predators, which marks the entry of mercury into northern marine food webs. We present here the first database for mercury uptake and transfer exclusively within zooplankton food webs in northern marine waters. We have investigated both total (THg) and monomethylmercury (MMHg) concentrations, and isotopic signatures (δ(15)N and δ(13)C) in individual zooplankton taxa collected over a period of eight years (2003-2010) from across Hudson Bay (including Hudson Strait and Foxe Basin) as part of research icebreaker cruises. δ(15)N values ranged from 3.4 to 14.0‰, implying trophic levels ranging from 1 to 4, and THg concentrations ranged from 5 to 242 ng g(-1) dw. Food web linkages were identified within the data set, and mercury biomagnification was evident both with THg and MMHg concentrations increasing from prey to predator, and with trophic magnification factors (TMFs). Total mercury and MMHg transfer in a unique prey-predator linkage (Limacina helicina-Clione limacina) are investigated and discussed with regard to known physiological and biochemical characteristics. The results suggest that exposure to mercury at higher trophic levels including humans can be affected by processes at the bottom of Arctic marine food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L Foster
- Centre for Earth Observation Sciences (CEOS), Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada R3T 2N2.
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23
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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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24
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St Louis VL, Derocher AE, Stirling I, Graydon JA, Lee C, Jocksch E, Richardson E, Ghorpade S, Kwan AK, Kirk JL, Lehnherr I, Swanson HK. Differences in mercury bioaccumulation between polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from the Canadian high- and sub-Arctic. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2011; 45:5922-5928. [PMID: 21678897 DOI: 10.1021/es2000672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are being impacted by climate change and increased exposure to pollutants throughout their northern circumpolar range. In this study, we quantified concentrations of total mercury (THg) in the hair of polar bears from Canadian high- (southern Beaufort Sea, SBS) and sub- (western Hudson Bay, WHB) Arctic populations. Concentrations of THg in polar bears from the SBS population (14.8 ± 6.6 μg g(-1)) were significantly higher than in polar bears from WHB (4.1 ± 1.0 μg g(-1)). On the basis of δ(15)N signatures in hair, in conjunction with published δ(15)N signatures in particulate organic matter and sediments, we estimated that the pelagic and benthic food webs in the SBS are ∼ 4.7 and ∼ 4.0 trophic levels long, whereas in WHB they are only ∼ 3.6 and ∼ 3.3 trophic levels long. Furthermore, the more depleted δ(13)C ratios in hair from SBS polar bears relative to those from WHB suggests that SBS polar bears feed on food webs that are relatively more pelagic (and longer), whereas polar bears from WHB feed on those that are relatively more benthic (and shorter). Food web length and structure accounted for ∼ 67% of the variation we found in THg concentrations among all polar bears across both populations. The regional difference in polar bear hair THg concentrations was also likely due to regional differences in water-column concentrations of methyl Hg (the toxic form of Hg that biomagnifies through food webs) available for bioaccumulation at the base of the food webs. For example, concentrations of methylated Hg at mid-depths in the marine water column of the northern Canadian Arctic Archipelago were 79.8 ± 37.3 pg L(-1), whereas, in HB, they averaged only 38.3 ± 16.6 pg L(-1). We conclude that a longer food web and higher pelagic concentrations of methylated Hg available to initiate bioaccumulation in the BS resulted in higher concentrations of THg in polar bears from the SBS region compared to those inhabiting the western coast of HB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent L St Louis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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25
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Pan K, Lee OO, Qian PY, Wang WX. Sponges and sediments as monitoring tools of metal contamination in the eastern coast of the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2011; 62:1140-1146. [PMID: 21453933 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.02.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2011] [Revised: 02/17/2011] [Accepted: 02/21/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Sediments and sponges were collected from various locations along the eastern coast of the Red Sea, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Total concentrations of Cd, Zn, Ag, Cu, Pb, As and Hg in the sediments were measured. Metal contamination was not significant in most of the studied sites and only one site was moderately polluted by Zn, Cu, and Pb. Sponges accumulated specific metals readily even though the metal exposure was low in the ambient environment. Contrasting interspecies differences in metal accumulation patterns were observed among the nine collected species of sponges. Significant positive correlations were found between the metal concentrations in the two species of sponges collected from the same sites. The strong ability to accumulate specific metals and the diversity of sponges that live in the Red Sea coastal areas make them a promising biomonitor of metal contamination in the areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Pan
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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