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Charrier J, Fort J, Tessier E, Asensio O, Guillou G, Grémillet D, Marsaudon V, Gentès S, Amouroux D. Mercury compound distribution and stable isotope composition in the different compartments of seabird eggs: The case of three species breeding in East Greenland. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 363:142857. [PMID: 39032730 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142857] [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: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a toxic contaminant of global concern and the impact on Arctic ecosystems, particularly in seabirds, is critical due to large-scale Hg transport towards polar regions and its biomagnification in marine trophic systems. While the adverse effects of Hg on reproductive processes in seabirds are established, the understanding of Hg maternal transfer pathways and their control on Hg reproductive toxicity is limited. The combination of Hg compounds speciation (inorganic mercury and monomethylmercury MMHg) and Hg stable isotope composition in the different egg compartments (yolk, albumen, membrane, and shell) before embryo development was investigated to provide information on (i) Hg maternal transfer mechanisms, (ii) influence of egg biochemical composition on Hg organotropism and (iii) proxies of inputs of Hg contamination. Eggs of three seabird species (the common eider, the black-legged kittiwake and the little auk) collected within the same breeding period (summer 2020) in East Greenland were investigated. For all seabirds, albumen and membrane, the most protein-rich compartments, were the most contaminated (from 1.2 to 2.7 μg g-1 for albumen and from 0.3 to 0.7 μg g-1 for membrane). In these two compartments, more than 82% of the total Hg amount was in the form of MMHg. Additionally, mass-dependent fractionation values (δ202Hg) were higher in albumen and membrane in the three species. This result was mainly due the organotropism of MMHg as influenced by the biochemical properties and chemical binding affinity of these proteinous compartments. Among the different egg compartments, individuals and species, mass-independent fractionation values were comparable (mean ± sd were 0.99 ± 0.11‰, 0.78 ± 0.11‰, 0.03 ± 0.05‰, 0.04 ± 0.10‰ for Δ199Hg, Δ201Hg, Δ200Hg and Δ204Hg, respectively). We conclude that initial MMHg accumulated in the three species originated from Arctic environmental reservoirs exhibiting similar and low photodemethylation extent. This result suggests a unique major source of MMHg in those ecosystems, potentially influenced by sea ice cover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Charrier
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France.
| | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Emmanuel Tessier
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA - CNRS, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et la Matériaux (IPREM), 2 avenue P. Angot, 64053, Pau, France
| | - Océane Asensio
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA - CNRS, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et la Matériaux (IPREM), 2 avenue P. Angot, 64053, Pau, France
| | - Gaël Guillou
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - David Grémillet
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle & Evolutive (CEFE), UMR 5175 CNRS - Université de Montpellier, 1919 route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier 5, France; FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, University Ave N, Rondebosch, 7701, Cap Town, South Africa
| | - Valère Marsaudon
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle & Evolutive (CEFE), UMR 5175 CNRS - Université de Montpellier, 1919 route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier 5, France
| | - Sophie Gentès
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - David Amouroux
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA - CNRS, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et la Matériaux (IPREM), 2 avenue P. Angot, 64053, Pau, France
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Yang L, Yu B, Liu H, Ji X, Xiao C, Cao M, Fu J, Zhang Q, Hu L, Yin Y, Shi J, Jiang G. Foraging behavior and sea ice-dependent factors affecting the bioaccumulation of mercury in Antarctic coastal waters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169557. [PMID: 38141978 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
To elucidate the potential risks of the toxic pollutant mercury (Hg) in polar waters, the study of accumulated Hg in fish is compelling for understanding the cycling and fate of Hg on a regional scale in Antarctica. Herein, the Hg isotopic compositions of Antarctic cod Notothenia coriiceps were assessed in skeletal muscle, liver, and heart tissues to distinguish the differences in Hg accumulation in isolated coastal environments of the eastern (Chinese Zhongshan Station, ZSS) and the antipode western Antarctica (Chinese Great Wall Station, GWS), which are separated by over 4000 km. Differences in odd mass-independent isotope fractionation (odd-MIF) and mass-dependent fractionation (MDF) across fish tissues were reflection of the specific accumulation of methylmercury (MeHg) and inorganic Hg (iHg) with different isotopic fingerprints. Internal metabolism including hepatic detoxification and processes related to heart may also contribute to MDF. Regional heterogeneity in iHg end-members further provided evidence that bioaccumulated Hg origins can be largely influenced by polar water circumstances and foraging behavior. Sea ice was hypothesized to play critical roles in both the release of Hg with negative odd-MIF derived from photoreduction of Hg2+ on its surface and the impediment of photochemical transformation of Hg in water layers. Overall, the multitissue isotopic compositions in local fish species and prime drivers of the heterogeneous Hg cycling and bioaccumulation patterns presented here enable a comprehensive understanding of Hg biogeochemical cycling in polar coastal waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Yang
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ben Yu
- National Research Center for Environmental Analysis and Measurement, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Hongwei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaomeng Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Cailing Xiao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, School of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Mengxi Cao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, School of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Jianjie Fu
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Qinghua Zhang
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Ligang Hu
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yongguang Yin
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Jianbo Shi
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China.
| | - Guibin Jiang
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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Liu H, Zheng W, Gao Y, Yang L, Yue F, Huang T, Xie Z. Increased Contribution of Circumpolar Deep Water Upwelling to Methylmercury in the Upper Ocean around Antarctica: Evidence from Mercury Isotopes in the Ornithogenic Sediments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:2762-2773. [PMID: 38294849 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Upwelling plays a pivotal role in supplying methylmercury (MeHg) to the upper oceans, contributing to the bioaccumulation of MeHg in the marine food web. However, the influence of the upwelling of Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW), the most voluminous water mass in the Southern Ocean, on the MeHg cycle in the surrounding oceans and marine biota of Antarctica remains unclear. Here, we study the mercury (Hg) isotopes in an ornithogenic sedimentary profile strongly influenced by penguin activity on Ross Island, Antarctica. Results indicate that penguin guano is the primary source of Hg in the sediments, and the mass-independent isotope fractionation of Hg (represented by Δ199Hg) can provide insights on the source of marine MeHg accumulated by penguin. The Δ199Hg in the sediments shows a significant decrease at ∼1550 CE, which is primarily attributed to the enhanced upwelling of CDW that brought more MeHg with lower Δ199Hg from the deeper seawater to the upper ocean. We estimate that the contribution of MeHg from the deeper seawater may reach more than 38% in order to explain the decline in Δ199Hg at ∼1550 CE. Moreover, we found that the intensified upwelling may have increased the MeHg exposure for marine organisms, highlighting the importance of CDW upwelling on the MeHg cycle in Antarctic coastal ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Liu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Wang Zheng
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Yuesong Gao
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Lianjiao Yang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Fange Yue
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Tao Huang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China
| | - Zhouqing Xie
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
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Bouchet S, Soerensen AL, Björn E, Tessier E, Amouroux D. Mercury Sources and Fate in a Large Brackish Ecosystem (the Baltic Sea) Depicted by Stable Isotopes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:14340-14350. [PMID: 37698522 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Identifying Hg sources to aquatic ecosystems and processes controlling the levels of monomethylmercury (MMHg) is critical for developing efficient policies of Hg emissions reduction. Here we measured Hg concentrations and stable isotopes in sediment, seston, and fishes from the various basins of the Baltic Sea, a large brackish ecosystem presenting extensive gradients in salinity, redox conditions, dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition, and biological activities. We found that Hg mass dependent fractionation (Hg-MDF) values in sediments mostly reflect a mixing between light terrestrial Hg and heavier industrial sources, whereas odd Hg isotope mass independent fractionation (odd Hg-MIF) reveals atmospheric inputs. Seston presents intermediate Hg-MDF and odd Hg-MIF values falling between sediments and fish, but in northern basins, high even Hg-MIF values suggest the preferential accumulation of wet-deposited Hg. Odd Hg-MIF values in fish indicate an overall low extent of MMHg photodegradation due to limited sunlight exposure and penetration but also reveal large spatial differences. The photodegradation extent is lowest in the central basin with recurrent algal blooms due to their shading effect and is highest in the northern, least saline basin with high concentrations of terrestrial DOM. As increased loads of terrestrial DOM are expected in many coastal areas due to global changes, its impact on MMHg photodegradation needs to be better understood and accounted for when predicting future MMHg concentrations in aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Bouchet
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, Pau 64000, France
| | - Anne L Soerensen
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm 10405, Sweden
| | - Erik Björn
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden
| | - Emmanuel Tessier
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, Pau 64000, France
| | - David Amouroux
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, Pau 64000, France
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5
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Zhang L, Yin Y, Li Y, Cai Y. Mercury isotope fractionation during methylmercury transport and transformation: A review focusing on analytical method, fractionation characteristics, and its application. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 841:156558. [PMID: 35710002 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156558] [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: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg), a potent neurotoxin, can be formed, migrated and transformed in environmental compartments, accompanying with unique mass-dependent and mass-independent fractionation of mercury (Hg). These Hg isotope fractionation signals have great potential to probe the transformation and transport of MeHg in aquatic environments. However, the majority of studies to date have focused on total Hg isotopic composition, with less attention to the isotopic fractionation of MeHg due to technical difficulties in analysis, which severely hinders the understanding of MeHg isotopic fractionation and its applications. This review a) evaluates the reported analytical methods for Hg isotopic composition of MeHg, including online and offline measurement techniques; b) summarizes the extent and characteristics of Hg isotopic fractionation during MeHg transport and transformation, focusing on methylation, demethylation, trophic transfer and internal metabolism; and c) briefly discusses several applications of MeHg isotopic fractionation signatures in estimating the extent of photodemethylation, tracing the source of Hg species, and diagnosing reaction mechanisms. Additionally, the existing problems and future directions in MeHg isotope fractionation are highlighted to improve the analytical protocol for Hg isotope fractionation and deepen our understanding of Hg isotope fractionation in the biogeochemical cycling of MeHg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Yongguang Yin
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
| | - Yanbin Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Yong Cai
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China; Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, United States.
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6
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Combining of C, N and specific Hg stable isotopes to track bioaccumulation of monomethylmercury in coastal and freshwater seafood. Food Chem 2022; 401:134202. [PMID: 36122489 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.134202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Human exposure to monomethylmercury (MMHg) through seafood consumption is a global concern. This study investigates the potential sources and processes of MMHg in seafood of coastal and freshwater areas through combing of δ13C, δ15N, and specific Hg (including MMHg and inorganic Hg (IHg)) isotopes. The results showed that δ13C and δ15N values exhibit different patterns in coastal and freshwater species. Δ199HgMMHg/δ202HgMMHg values suggested that coastal and freshwater seafood undergo similar aqueous MMHg photodegradation processes. The Δ199HgMMHg values could distinguish that, coastal fish absorb MMHg from water column whereas coastal shellfish absorb MMHg mainly from sediment. The positive values of Δ199HgIHg in seafood could reflect in vivo MMHg demethylation and IHg reabsorption. Positive correlation between δ15N and Δ199HgIHg indicated that aquatic organisms in various trophic levels may have different MMHg demethylation efficiency. We proposed that combining of multiple isotopes can provide overall profiles on aquatic MMHg biogeochemical cycle and bioaccumulation.
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Yang YH, Kwon SY, Tsui MTK, Motta LC, Washburn SJ, Park J, Kim MS, Shin KH. Ecological Traits of Fish for Mercury Biomonitoring: Insights from Compound-Specific Nitrogen and Stable Mercury Isotopes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:10808-10817. [PMID: 35852377 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c02532] [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] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We coupled compound-specific isotopic analyses of nitrogen (N) in amino acids (δ15NGlu, δ15NPhe) and mercury stable isotopes (δ202Hg, Δ199Hg) to quantify ecological traits governing the concentration, variability, and source of Hg in largemouth bass (LB) and pike gudgeon (PG) across four rivers, South Korea. PG displayed uniform Hg concentration (56-137 ng/g), trophic position (TPcorrected; 2.6-3.0, n = 9), and N isotopes in the source amino acid (δ15NPhe; 7-13‰), consistent with their specialist feeding on benthic insects. LB showed wide ranges in Hg concentration (45-693 ng/g), TPcorrected (2.8-3.8, n = 14), and δ15NPhe (1.3-16‰), reflecting their opportunistic feeding behavior. Hg sources assessed using Hg isotopes reveal low and uniform Δ199Hg in PG (0.20-0.49‰), similar to Δ199Hg reported in sediments. LB displayed site-specific δ202Hg (-0.61 to -0.04‰) and Δ199Hg (0.53-1.09‰). At the Yeongsan River, LB displayed elevated Δ199Hg and low δ15NPhe, consistent with Hg and N sourced from the atmosphere. LB at the Geum River displayed low Δ199Hg and high δ15NPhe, both similar to the isotope values of anthropogenic sources. Our results suggest that a specialist fish (PG) with consistent ecological traits and Hg concentration is an effective bioindicator species for Hg. When accounting for Hg sources, however, LB better captures site-specific Hg sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yo Han Yang
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang 37673, South Korea
| | - Sae Yun Kwon
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang 37673, South Korea
- Institute for Convergence Research and Education in Advanced Technology, Yonsei University, 85 Songdogwahak-Ro, Yeonsu-Gu, Incheon 21983, South Korea
| | - Martin Tsz-Ki Tsui
- School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, South Block, Science Centre, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Laura C Motta
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Buffalo, 312 Natural Sciences Complex, Buffalo, New York 14260-3000, United States
| | - Spencer J Washburn
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Jaeseon Park
- Environmental Measurement & Analysis Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42 Hwangyong-Ro, Seo-Gu, Incheon 22689, South Korea
| | - Min-Seob Kim
- Environmental Measurement & Analysis Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42 Hwangyong-Ro, Seo-Gu, Incheon 22689, South Korea
| | - Kyung-Hoon Shin
- Department of Marine Sciences and Convergent Technology, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-Ro, Sangnok-Gu, Ansan 15588, South Korea
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Huang S, Jiang R, Song Q, Zhao Y, Lv S, Zhang Y, Huo Y, Chen Y. The Hg behaviors in mangrove ecosystems revealed by Hg stable isotopes: a case study of Maowei mangrove. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:25349-25359. [PMID: 34843054 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17744-4] [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: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
As one of the most productive marine ecosystems in the tropics and subtropics, mangroves are an important part of the global mercury (Hg) cycling. The environmental processes and effects of Hg in mangroves are complex and affect human Hg exposure, and it is crucial to understand Hg behaviors in the mangrove ecosystem. However, clarifying Hg behaviors in the mangrove ecosystem remains difficult because of an insufficient understanding of the dominant pathways. In this study, measurements of mercury (Hg) concentration and isotope ratios in sediment and plant tissues from a mangrove wetland were used to investigate Hg isotope fractionation in mangrove plants and sediments. Spatial patterns in Hg concentration and isotope signatures indicate that Hg re-emission in the sediment was suppressed by mangrove plants. The ratio of Δ199Hg/Δ201Hg was 0.93 for all sediments, indicating that Hg mass-independent fractionation in the mangrove ecosystem was primarily affected by photoreduction, while the ratios of Δ199Hg/Δ201Hg and Δ199Hg/δ202Hg for plant tissues suggested that natural organic matter reduction of Hg(II) was occurred in the plants. The distinct positive Δ199Hg values found in mangrove plants were supposed to be the results of the unique physiological characteristics of mangroves. The exterior Hg sources from atmosphere and seawater emphasize the role of mangrove ecosystems in the global Hg biogeochemistry. Our study highlights the distinct Hg isotope signatures in the mangrove from that in forests and indicates unique Hg behaviors in the mangrove ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyuan Huang
- Ministry of Natural Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Xiamen, 361005, China
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Ronggen Jiang
- Ministry of Natural Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Qingyong Song
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Yuhan Zhao
- Ministry of Natural Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Xiamen, 361005, China
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Supeng Lv
- Ministry of Natural Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Yuanbiao Zhang
- Ministry of Natural Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Xiamen, 361005, China.
| | - Yunlong Huo
- Ministry of Natural Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Yaojin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
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9
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Liu Y, Chen J, Liu J, Gai P, Au Yang D, Zheng W, Li Y, Li D, Cai H, Yuan W, Li Y. Coprecipitation of Mercury from Natural Iodine-Containing Seawater for Accurate Isotope Measurement. Anal Chem 2021; 93:15905-15912. [PMID: 34806358 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c03060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Oceans play a key role in the global mercury (Hg) cycle, but studies on Hg isotopes in seawater are rare due to the extremely low Hg concentration and the lack of a good preconcentration method. Here, we introduce a new coprecipitation method for separating and preconcentrating Hg from seawater for accurate isotope measurement. The coprecipitation was achieved by sequential addition of 0.5 mL of 0.5 M CuSO4, 1 mL of 0.5 M Na2S, and 1 mL of 0.5 M CuSO4 reagents, which allowed for quantitatively precipitating Hg from up to 10 L of seawater. The protocol was validated by testing synthetic solutions with varying Hg and iodide (I-) concentrations and by comparing the reaction times of various reagents added. The method resulted in a quantitative recovery of 98 ± 12% (n = 32, two standard deviations, 2 SD) and a relatively low procedure blank (103 pg of Hg, n = 8). The precipitates were filtrated and analyzed for Hg isotopes. Repeated measurements of synthetic seawaters spiked with certificated standard materials (NIST 3133 and 3177) using the entire method gave identical Hg isotope ratios with near-quantitative Hg recovery, indicating no isotope fractionation during preconcentration. A total of six nearshore seawater samples from the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea (China) were analyzed using the coprecipitation method. The data showed a large fractionation of Hg isotopes and revealed the possible impact of both atmospheric and anthropogenic inputs to the coastal seawater Hg budget, implying the potential application of this method in studying marine Hg systematics and global Hg cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry (SKLEG), Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiubin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry (SKLEG), Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.,School of Earth System Science (SESS), Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry (SKLEG), Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.,School of Earth System Science (SESS), Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Pengxue Gai
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry (SKLEG), Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.,School of Earth System Science (SESS), Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - David Au Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry (SKLEG), Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Wang Zheng
- School of Earth System Science (SESS), Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yanbin Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Dan Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Hongming Cai
- School of Earth System Science (SESS), Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- School of Earth System Science (SESS), Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yuansheng Li
- Polar Research Institute of China, Shanghai 200136, China
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10
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Laffont L, Menges J, Goix S, Gentès S, Maury-Brachet R, Sonke JE, Legeay A, Gonzalez P, Rinaldo R, Maurice L. Hg concentrations and stable isotope variations in tropical fish species of a gold-mining-impacted watershed in French Guiana. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:60609-60621. [PMID: 34159470 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14858-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine if gold-mining activities could impact the mercury (Hg) concentrations and isotopic signatures in freshwater fish consumed by riparian people in French Guiana. Total Hg, MeHg concentrations, and Hg stable isotopes ratios were analyzed in fish muscles from different species belonging to three feeding patterns (herbivorous, periphytophagous, and piscivorous). We compared tributaries impacted by gold-mining activities (Camopi, CR) with a pristine area upstream (Trois-Sauts, TS), along the Oyapock River. We measured δ15N and δ 13C to examine whether Hg patterns are due to differences in trophic level. Differences in δ 15N and δ 13C values between both studied sites were only observed for periphytophagous fish, due to difference of CN baselines, with enriched values at TS. Total Hg concentrations and Hg stable isotope signatures showed that Hg accumulated in fish from both areas has undergone different biogeochemical processes. Δ199Hg variation in fish (-0.5 to 0.2‰) was higher than the ecosystem baseline defined by a Δ199Hg of -0.66‰ in sediments, and suggested limited aqueous photochemical MeHg degradation. Photochemistry-corrected δ202Hg in fish was 0.7‰ higher than the baseline, consistent with biophysical and chemical isotope fractionation in the aquatic environment. While THg concentrations in periphytophagous fish were higher in the gold-mining area, disturbed by inputs of suspended particles, than in TS, the ensemble of Hg isotope shifts in fish is affected by the difference of biotic (methylation/demethylation) and abiotic (photochemistry) processes between both areas and did therefore not allow to resolve the contribution of gold-mining-related liquid Hg(0) in fish tissues. Mercury isotopes of MeHg in fish and lower trophic level organisms can be complementary to light stable isotope tracers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure Laffont
- Geosciences Environnement Toulouse, CNRS/IRD/CNES/Université Toulouse III, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France.
| | - Johanna Menges
- Section 4.6, Geomorphology, GFZ-German Research Centre for Geosciences, 14473, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Sylvaine Goix
- Geosciences Environnement Toulouse, CNRS/IRD/CNES/Université Toulouse III, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France
- University Toulouse III, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Sophie Gentès
- EPOC, EPHE, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, 33120, Arcachon, France
| | | | - Jeroen E Sonke
- Geosciences Environnement Toulouse, CNRS/IRD/CNES/Université Toulouse III, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Alexia Legeay
- EPOC, EPHE, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, 33120, Arcachon, France
| | | | - Raphaëlle Rinaldo
- Parc Amazonien de Guyane, 1 rue Lederson, 97354, Remire-Montjoly, France
| | - Laurence Maurice
- Geosciences Environnement Toulouse, CNRS/IRD/CNES/Université Toulouse III, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France.
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11
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Manceau A, Brossier R, Janssen SE, Rosera TJ, Krabbenhoft DP, Cherel Y, Bustamante P, Poulin BA. Mercury Isotope Fractionation by Internal Demethylation and Biomineralization Reactions in Seabirds: Implications for Environmental Mercury Science. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:13942-13952. [PMID: 34596385 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
A prerequisite for environmental and toxicological applications of mercury (Hg) stable isotopes in wildlife and humans is quantifying the isotopic fractionation of biological reactions. Here, we measured stable Hg isotope values of relevant tissues of giant petrels (Macronectes spp.). Isotopic data were interpreted with published HR-XANES spectroscopic data that document a stepwise transformation of methylmercury (MeHg) to Hg-tetraselenolate (Hg(Sec)4) and mercury selenide (HgSe) (Sec = selenocysteine). By mathematical inversion of isotopic and spectroscopic data, identical δ202Hg values for MeHg (2.69 ± 0.04‰), Hg(Sec)4 (-1.37 ± 0.06‰), and HgSe (0.18 ± 0.02‰) were determined in 23 tissues of eight birds from the Kerguelen Islands and Adélie Land (Antarctica). Isotopic differences in δ202Hg between MeHg and Hg(Sec)4 (-4.1 ± 0.1‰) reflect mass-dependent fractionation from a kinetic isotope effect due to the MeHg → Hg(Sec)4 demethylation reaction. Surprisingly, Hg(Sec)4 and HgSe differed isotopically in δ202Hg (+1.6 ± 0.1‰) and mass-independent anomalies (i.e., changes in Δ199Hg of ≤0.3‰), consistent with equilibrium isotope effects of mass-dependent and nuclear volume fractionation from Hg(Sec)4 → HgSe biomineralization. The invariance of species-specific δ202Hg values across tissues and individual birds reflects the kinetic lability of Hg-ligand bonds and tissue-specific redistribution of MeHg and inorganic Hg, likely as Hg(Sec)4. These observations provide fundamental information necessary to improve the interpretation of stable Hg isotope data and provoke a revisitation of processes governing isotopic fractionation in biota and toxicological risk assessment in wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Manceau
- Université Grenoble Alpes, ISTerre, CNRS, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Romain Brossier
- Université Grenoble Alpes, ISTerre, CNRS, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Sarah E Janssen
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Middleton, Wisconsin 53562, United States
| | - Tylor J Rosera
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Middleton, Wisconsin 53562, United States
| | - David P Krabbenhoft
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Middleton, Wisconsin 53562, United States
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), CNRS, La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Brett A Poulin
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
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12
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Yang S, Wang B, Qin C, Yin R, Li P, Liu J, Point D, Maurice L, Sonke JE, Zhang L, Feng X. Compound-Specific Stable Isotope Analysis Provides New Insights for Tracking Human Monomethylmercury Exposure Sources. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:12493-12503. [PMID: 34468125 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Monomethylmercury (MMHg) exposure can induce adverse neurodevelopmental effects in humans and is a global environmental health concern. Human exposure to MMHg occurs predominately through the consumption of fishery foods and rice in Asia, but it is challenging to quantify these two exposure sources. Here, we innovatively utilized MMHg compound-specific stable isotope analyses (MMHg-CSIA) of the hair to quantify the human MMHg sources in coastal and inland areas, where fishery foods and rice are routinely consumed. Our data showed that the fishery foods and rice end members had distinct Δ199HgMMHg values in both coastal and inland areas. The Δ199HgMMHg values of the human hair were comparable to those of fishery foods but not those of rice. Positive shifts in the δ202HgMMHg values of the hair from diet were observed in the study areas. Additionally, significant differences in δ202Hg versus Δ199Hg were detected between MMHg and inorganic Hg (IHg) in the human hair but not in fishery foods and rice. A binary mixing model was developed to estimate the human MMHg exposures from fishery foods and rice using Δ199HgMMHg data. The model results suggested that human MMHg exposures were dominated (>80%) by fishery food consumption and were less affected by rice consumption in both the coastal and inland areas. This study demonstrated that the MMHg-CSIA method can provide unique information for tracking human MMHg exposure sources by excluding the deviations from dietary surveys, individual MMHg absorption/demethylation efficiencies, and the confounding effects of IHg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaochen Yang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Chongyang Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Runsheng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Jinling Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - David Point
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS, Toulouse 31400, France
| | - Laurence Maurice
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS, Toulouse 31400, France
| | - Jeroen E Sonke
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS, Toulouse 31400, France
| | - Leiming Zhang
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an 710061, China
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13
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Renedo M, Pedrero Z, Amouroux D, Cherel Y, Bustamante P. Mercury isotopes of key tissues document mercury metabolic processes in seabirds. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 263:127777. [PMID: 32828051 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Seabirds accumulate significant amounts of mercury (Hg) due to their long-life span together with their medium to high trophic position in marine food webs. Hg speciation and Hg isotopic analyses of total Hg in different tissues (pectoral muscles, liver, brain, kidneys, blood and feathers) were assessed to investigate their detoxification mechanisms. Three species with contrasted ecological characteristics were studied: the Antarctic prion (zooplankton feeder), the white-chinned petrel (pelagic generalist consumer) and the southern giant petrel (scavenger on seabirds and marine mammals). The difference of mass-dependent fractionation (MDF, δ202Hg) values between liver and muscles (up to 0.94 ‰) in all three seabirds strongly suggests hepatic demethylation of the isotopically lighter methylmercury (MeHg) and subsequent redistribution of the isotopically heavier fraction of MeHg towards the muscles. Similarly, higher δ202Hg values in feathers (up to 1.88 ‰) relative to muscles and higher proportion of MeHg in feathers (94-97%) than muscles (30-70%) likely indicate potential MeHg demethylation in muscle and preferential excretion of MeHg (isotopically heavier) in the growing feathers during moult. The extents of these key detoxification processes were strongly dependent on the species-specific detoxification strategies and levels of dietary MeHg exposure. We also found higher mass-independent fractionation (MIF, Δ199Hg) values in feathers relative to internal tissues, possibly due to different integration times of Hg exposure between permanently active organs and inert tissues as feathers. Hg isotope variations reported in this study show evidence of detoxification processes in seabirds and propose a powerful approach for deep investigation of the Hg metabolic processes in seabirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Renedo
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS- La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France; Universite de Pau et des Pays de L'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour L'Environnement et Les Matériaux, Pau, France.
| | - Zoyne Pedrero
- Universite de Pau et des Pays de L'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour L'Environnement et Les Matériaux, Pau, France.
| | - David Amouroux
- Universite de Pau et des Pays de L'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour L'Environnement et Les Matériaux, Pau, France
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372 Du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS- La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 Rue Descartes, 75005, Paris, France
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14
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Le Croizier G, Lorrain A, Sonke JE, Hoyos-Padilla EM, Galván-Magaña F, Santana-Morales O, Aquino-Baleytó M, Becerril-García EE, Muntaner-López G, Ketchum J, Block B, Carlisle A, Jorgensen SJ, Besnard L, Jung A, Schaal G, Point D. The Twilight Zone as a Major Foraging Habitat and Mercury Source for the Great White Shark. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:15872-15882. [PMID: 33238094 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c05621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The twilight zone contains the largest biomass of the world's ocean. Identifying its role in the trophic supply and contaminant exposure of marine megafauna constitutes a critical challenge in the context of global change. The white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is a threatened species with some of the highest concentrations of neurotoxin methylmercury (MeHg) among marine top predators. Large white sharks migrate seasonally from coastal habitats, where they primarily forage on pinnipeds, to oceanic offshore habitats. Tagging studies suggest that while offshore, white sharks may forage at depth on mesopelagic species, yet no biochemical evidence exists. Here, we used mercury isotopic composition to assess the dietary origin of MeHg contamination in white sharks from the Northeast Pacific Ocean. We estimated that a minimum of 72% of the MeHg accumulated by white sharks originates from the consumption of mesopelagic prey, while a maximum of 25% derives from pinnipeds. In addition to highlighting the potential of mercury isotopes to decipher the complex ecological cycle of marine predators, our study provides evidence that the twilight zone constitutes a crucial foraging habitat for these large predators, which had been suspected for over a decade. Climate change is predicted to expand the production of mesopelagic MeHg and modify the mesopelagic biomass globally. Considering the pivotal role of the twilight zone is therefore essential to better predict both MeHg exposure and trophic supply to white sharks, and effectively protect these key vulnerable predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaël Le Croizier
- UMR Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Anne Lorrain
- Univ Brest, CNRS, Ifremer, LEMAR, 29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Jeroen E Sonke
- UMR Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - E Mauricio Hoyos-Padilla
- Pelagios-Kakunjá A.C., Sinaloa 1540, Col. Las Garzas, 23070 La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
- Fins Attached: Marine Research and Conservation, 19675 Still Glen Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80908, United States
| | - Felipe Galván-Magaña
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Av. IPN s/n., 23096 La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | | | - Marc Aquino-Baleytó
- Pelagios-Kakunjá A.C., Sinaloa 1540, Col. Las Garzas, 23070 La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Av. IPN s/n., 23096 La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | - Edgar E Becerril-García
- Pelagios-Kakunjá A.C., Sinaloa 1540, Col. Las Garzas, 23070 La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Av. IPN s/n., 23096 La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | - Gádor Muntaner-López
- Pelagios-Kakunjá A.C., Sinaloa 1540, Col. Las Garzas, 23070 La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Av. IPN s/n., 23096 La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | - James Ketchum
- Pelagios-Kakunjá A.C., Sinaloa 1540, Col. Las Garzas, 23070 La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | - Barbara Block
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, California 93950, United States
| | - Aaron Carlisle
- School of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware, Lewes, Delaware 19958, United States
| | - Salvador J Jorgensen
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Lucien Besnard
- Univ Brest, CNRS, Ifremer, LEMAR, 29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Armelle Jung
- Des Requins et Des Hommes (DRDH), BLP/Technopole Brest-Iroise, 15 rue Dumont d'Urville, Plouzané 29860, France
| | | | - David Point
- UMR Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
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15
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Renedo M, Bustamante P, Cherel Y, Pedrero Z, Tessier E, Amouroux D. A "seabird-eye" on mercury stable isotopes and cycling in the Southern Ocean. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 742:140499. [PMID: 33167295 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Since mercury (Hg) biogeochemistry in the Southern Ocean is minimally documented, we investigated Hg stable isotopes in the blood of seabirds breeding at different latitudes in the Antarctic, Subantarctic and Subtropical zones. Hg isotopic composition was determined in adult penguins (5 species) and skua chicks (2 species) from Adélie Land (66°39'S, Antarctic) to Crozet (46°25'S, Subantarctic) and Amsterdam Island (37°47'S, Subtropical). Mass-dependent (MDF, δ202Hg) and mass-independent (MIF, Δ199Hg) Hg isotopic values separated populations geographically. Antarctic seabirds exhibited lower δ202Hg values (-0.02 to 0.79 ‰, min-max) than Subantarctic (0.88 to 2.12 ‰) and Subtropical (1.44 to 2.37 ‰) seabirds. In contrast, Δ199Hg values varied slightly from Antarctic (1.31 to 1.73 ‰) to Subtropical (1.69 to 2.04 ‰) waters. The extent of methylmercury (MeHg) photodemethylation extrapolated from Δ199Hg values was not significantly different between locations, implying that most of the bioaccumulated MeHg was of mesopelagic origin. The larger increase of MDF between the three latitudes co-varies with MeHg concentrations. This supports an increasing effect of specific biogenic Hg pathways from Antarctic to Subtropical waters, such as Hg biological transformations and accumulations. This "biogenic effect" among different productive southern oceanic regions can also be related to different mixed layer depth dynamics and biological productivity turnover that specifically influence the vertical transport between the mesopelagic and the photic zones. This study shows the first Hg isotopic data of the Southern Ocean at large scale and reveals how regional Southern Ocean dynamics and productivity control marine MeHg biogeochemistry and the exposure of seabirds to Hg contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Renedo
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Universite de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, Pau, France.
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 rue Descartes, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Zoyne Pedrero
- Universite de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, Pau, France
| | - Emmanuel Tessier
- Universite de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, Pau, France
| | - David Amouroux
- Universite de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, Pau, France.
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16
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Le Croizier G, Lorrain A, Sonke JE, Jaquemet S, Schaal G, Renedo M, Besnard L, Cherel Y, Point D. Mercury isotopes as tracers of ecology and metabolism in two sympatric shark species. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:114931. [PMID: 32590319 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In coastal ecosystems, top predators are exposed to a wide variety of nutrient and contaminant sources due to the diversity of trophic webs within inshore marine habitats. Mercury contamination could represent an additional threat to shark populations that are declining worldwide. Here we measured total mercury, carbon and nitrogen isotopes, as well as mercury isotopes, in two co-occurring shark species (the bull shark Carcharhinus leucas and the tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier) and their potential prey from a coastal ecosystem of the western Indian Ocean (La Réunion Island). Our primary goals were to (i) determine the main trophic Hg sources for sharks and (ii) better characterize their diet composition and foraging habitat. Hg isotope signatures (Δ199Hg and δ202Hg) of shark prey suggested that bull sharks were exposed to methylmercury (MeHg) produced in offshore epipelagic waters, while tiger sharks were exposed to offshore mesopelagic MeHg with additional microbial transformation in slope sediments. Δ199Hg values efficiently traced the ecology of the two predators, demonstrating that bull sharks targeted coastal prey in shallow waters while tiger sharks were mainly foraging on mesopelagic species in the deeper waters of the island slope. Unexpectedly, we found a positive shift in δ202Hg (>1‰) between sharks and their prey, leading to high δ202Hg values in the two shark species (e.g. 1.91 ± 0.52‰ in bull sharks). This large shift in δ202Hg indicates that sharks may display strong MeHg demethylation abilities, possibly reflecting evolutionary pathways for mitigating their MeHg contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaël Le Croizier
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), UMR 5563 CNRS/IRD/Université Paul Sabatier, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France.
| | - Anne Lorrain
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Jeroen E Sonke
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), UMR 5563 CNRS/IRD/Université Paul Sabatier, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Sébastien Jaquemet
- Laboratoire ENTROPIE, UMR 9220 CNRS/IRD/Université de La Réunion, 15 Avenue René Cassin, BP 92003, 97744, Saint-Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Gauthier Schaal
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Marina Renedo
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), UMR 5563 CNRS/IRD/Université Paul Sabatier, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Lucien Besnard
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - David Point
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), UMR 5563 CNRS/IRD/Université Paul Sabatier, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France
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17
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Li P, Yin R, Du B, Qin C, Li B, Chan HM, Feng X. Kinetics and metabolism of mercury in rats fed with mercury contaminated rice using mass balance and mercury isotope approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 736:139687. [PMID: 32485364 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Consumption of mercury (Hg) contaminated rice can be a major environmental health issue but the toxicokinetics is not well known. Hg isotopes have been shown to be good tracers in studying Hg exposure and metabolic processes. We established a Hg mass balance and Hg isotope model in rats fed with Hg contaminated rice (THg 51.3 ng/g; MeHg 25 ng/g) for 90 days to investigate Hg toxicokinetics. Overall 80% of feeding THg was recovered in rat body and excrement, while the excrement accounted for 55% of total observed THg in rats. Feces were the main route of Hg elimination in rats, while urinary excretion was negligible. However, only 32% of utilized MeHg was recovered in rats, indicating significant demethylation of MeHg in rat body. Positive net fractionations of δ202Hg (relative to the feeding rice) were observed in hair and blood samples (1.21‰ and 1.25‰, respectively), which have similar trend with the results obtained in human hair study, exhibiting higher δ202Hg values (2‰- 3‰) than consumed fish and rice. Most importantly, we observed negative net fractionations in feces (-0.44‰), which confirmed the missed Hg with negative δ202Hg signal. We concluded that mass balance and Hg isotope are useful tools for quantifying toxicokinetics of Hg. Demethylation of MeHg in the intestine were the important detoxification process in rat body characterizing with negative net Hg fractionations in feces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an 710061, China.
| | - Runsheng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Buyun Du
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Chongyang Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Baixiang Li
- Department of Toxicology, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Hing Man Chan
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an 710061, China.
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18
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Cheema AI, Liu G, Yousaf B, Abbas Q, Zhou H. A comprehensive review of biogeochemical distribution and fractionation of lead isotopes for source tracing in distinct interactive environmental compartments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 719:135658. [PMID: 31874752 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) is a non-essential and extremely noxious metallic-element whose biogeochemical cycle has been influenced predominantly by increasing human activities to a great extent. The introduction and enrichment of this ubiquitous contaminant in the terrestrial-environment has a long history and getting more attention due to its adverse health effects to living organisms even at very low exposure levels. Its lethal-effects can vary widely depending on the atmospheric-depositions, fates and distribution of Pb isotopes (i.e., 204Pb, 206Pb, 207Pb &208Pb) in the terrestrial-environment. Thus, it is essential to understand the depositional behavior and transformation mechanism of Pb and the factors affecting Pb isotopes composition in the terrestrial-compartments. Owing to the persistence nature of Pb-isotopic fractions, regardless of ongoing biogeochemical-processes taking place in soils and in other interlinked terrestrial-compartments of the biosphere makes Pb isotope ratios (Pb-IRs) more recognizable as a powerful and an efficient-tool for tracing the source(s) and helped uncover pertinent migration and transformation processes. This review discusses the ongoing developments in tracing migration pathway and distribution of lead in various terrestrial-compartments and investigates the processes regulating the Pb isotope geochemistry taking into account the source identification of lead, its transformation among miscellaneous terrestrial-compartments and detoxification mechanism in soil-plant system. Additionally, this compendium reveals that Pb-pools in various terrestrial-compartments differ in Pb isotopic fractionations. In order to improve understanding of partition behaviors and biogeochemical pathways of Pb isotope in the terrestrial environment, future works should involve investigation of changes in Pb isotopic compositions during weathering processes and atmospheric-biological sub-cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Imtiyaz Cheema
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710075, PR China.
| | - Guijian Liu
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710075, PR China.
| | - Balal Yousaf
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China.
| | - Qumber Abbas
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China.
| | - Huihui Zhou
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China.
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19
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Roberts S, Adams JK, Mackay AW, Swann GEA, McGowan S, Rose NL, Panizzo V, Yang H, Vologina E, Sturm M, Shchetnikov AA. Mercury loading within the Selenga River basin and Lake Baikal, Siberia. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 259:113814. [PMID: 32023784 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) loading in Lake Baikal, a UNESCO world heritage site, is growing and poses a serious health concern to the lake's ecosystem due to the ability of Hg to transform into a toxic form, known as methylmercury (MeHg). Monitoring of Hg into Lake Baikal is spatially and temporally sparse, highlighting the need for insights into historic Hg loading. This study reports measurements of Hg concentrations from water collected in August 2013 and 2014 from across Lake Baikal and its main inflow, the Selenga River basin (Russia, Mongolia). We also report historic Hg contamination using sediment cores taken from the south and north basins of Lake Baikal, and a shallow lake in the Selenga Delta. Field measurements from August 2013 and 2014 show high Hg concentrations in the Selenga Delta and river waters, in comparison to pelagic lake waters. Sediment cores from Lake Baikal show that Hg enrichment commenced first in the south basin in the late-19th century, and then in the north basin in the mid-20th century. Hg flux was also 20-fold greater in the south basin compared to the north basin sediments. Hg enrichment was greatest in the Selenga Delta shallow lake (Enrichment Ratio (ER) = 2.3 in 1994 CE), with enrichment occurring in the mid-to late-20th century. Local sources of Hg are predominantly from gold mining along the Selenga River, which have been expanding over the last few decades. More recently, another source is atmospheric deposition from industrial activity in Asia, due to rapid economic growth across the region since the 1980s. As Hg can bioaccumulate and biomagnify through trophic levels to Baikal's top consumer, the world's only truly freshwater seal (Pusa sibirica), it is vital that Hg input at Lake Baikal and within its catchment is monitored and controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Roberts
- Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, L7S 1A1, Canada; School of Geography, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom.
| | - J K Adams
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada; Environmental Change Research Centre, Department of Geography, Pearson Building, Gower Street, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
| | - A W Mackay
- Environmental Change Research Centre, Department of Geography, Pearson Building, Gower Street, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - G E A Swann
- School of Geography, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - S McGowan
- School of Geography, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - N L Rose
- Environmental Change Research Centre, Department of Geography, Pearson Building, Gower Street, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - V Panizzo
- School of Geography, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - H Yang
- Environmental Change Research Centre, Department of Geography, Pearson Building, Gower Street, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - E Vologina
- Institute of Earth's Crust, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 128 ul. Lermontov, Irkutsk, 664033, Russia
| | - M Sturm
- Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology EAWAG-ETH, 8600, Dubendorf, Switzerland
| | - A A Shchetnikov
- Institute of Earth's Crust, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 128 ul. Lermontov, Irkutsk, 664033, Russia; Irkutsk State University, 2 Chkalov St., Irkutsk, 664003, Russia; Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pyzhevsky lane 7, 119017, Moscow, Russia; Irkutsk Scientific Centre, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 134 ul, Lermontov, Irkutsk, 664033, Russia
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20
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Li M, Juang CA, Ewald JD, Yin R, Mikkelsen B, Krabbenhoft DP, Balcom PH, Dassuncao C, Sunderland EM. Selenium and stable mercury isotopes provide new insights into mercury toxicokinetics in pilot whales. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 710:136325. [PMID: 31927288 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
High exposures of mammalian species to inorganic mercury (HgII) and methylmercury (MeHg) have been associated with adverse effects on behavior and reproduction. Different mammalian species exhibit varying responses to similar external exposure levels, reflecting potential differences in Hg toxicokinetics. Here, we use Hg stable isotopes, total Hg, MeHg and selenium (Se) concentrations measured in multiple tissues of North Atlantic pilot whales (Globicephala melas) to investigate processes affecting the distribution and accumulation of HgII and MeHg. We find that simple mixing of two distinct isotopic end-members: MeHg (1.4‰) and HgII (-1.6‰) can explain the observed variability of δ202Hg in brain tissue. A similar isotopic composition for the MeHg end-member in the brain, muscle, heart, and kidney suggests efficient exchange of MeHg in blood throughout the body. By contrast, the Hg isotopic composition of the liver of adult whales is different from younger whales and other tissues that follow the two-end member mixing model. Measured Se:Hg ratios are lowest in adult whales with the highest levels of MeHg exposure. In these individuals, Se availability is likely reduced by complexation with demethylated HgII. We speculate that this results in a higher fraction of labile HgII eliminated from the liver of adult whales compared to young whales and subsequent redistribution to other tissues, potentially affecting toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miling Li
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
| | - C Alicia Juang
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States
| | - Jessica D Ewald
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States; Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Macdonald Campus, McGill University Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Runsheng Yin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Bjarni Mikkelsen
- The Faroese Museum of Natural History, V. U. Hammershaimbsgøta 13, FO-100 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | | | - Prentiss H Balcom
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States
| | - Clifton Dassuncao
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States
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21
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Meng M, Sun RY, Liu HW, Yu B, Yin YG, Hu LG, Chen JB, Shi JB, Jiang GB. Mercury isotope variations within the marine food web of Chinese Bohai Sea: Implications for mercury sources and biogeochemical cycling. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 384:121379. [PMID: 31611019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) speciation and isotopic compositions in a large-scale food web and seawater from Chinese Bohai Sea were analyzed to investigate methylmercury (MeHg) sources and Hg cycling. The biota showed ∼5‰ variation in mass dependent fractionation (MDF, -4.57 to 0.53‰ in δ202Hg) and mostly positive odd-isotope mass independent fractionation (odd-MIF, -0.01 to 1.21‰ in Δ199Hg). Both MDF and odd-MIF in coastal biota showed significant correlations with their trophic levels and MeHg fractions, likely reflecting a preferential trophic transfer of MeHg with higher δ202Hg and Δ199Hg than inorganic Hg. The MDF and odd-MIF of biota were largely affected by their feeding habits and living territories, and MeHg in pelagic food web was more photodegraded than in coastal food web (21-31% vs. 9-11%). From the Hg isotope signatures of pelagic biota and extrapolated coastal MeHg, we suggest that MeHg in the food webs was likely derived from sediments. Interestingly, we observed complementary even-MIF (mainly negative Δ200Hg of -0.36 to 0.08‰ and positive Δ204Hg of -0.05 to 0.82‰) in the biota and a significant linear slope of -0.5 for Δ200Hg/Δ204Hg. This leads us to speculate that atmospheric Hg0 is an important source to bioaccumulated MeHg, although the exact source-receptor relationships need further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Meng
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Ruo-Yu Sun
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Hong-Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Ben Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Yong-Guang Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Li-Gang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Jiu-Bin Chen
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, 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; Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China.
| | - 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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22
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Washburn SJ, Blum JD, Donovan PM, Singer MB. Isotopic evidence for mercury photoreduction and retention on particles in surface waters of Central California, USA. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 674:451-461. [PMID: 31022536 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Cache Creek (Coast Range, California) and the Yuba River (Sierra Nevada Foothills, California) are two river systems affected by extensive mercury (Hg) contamination due to legacy sources of Hg related to mining. Stable Hg isotope techniques have proven useful for elucidating the complex cycling of Hg within aquatic ecosystems, and we applied these techniques to improve understanding of Hg and methylmercury (MeHg) transformations in these watersheds. Total mercury (THg) concentrations and Hg stable isotope ratios were measured in filtered surface waters and suspended particulate matter collected from 14 sites within the Cache Cr. and Yuba R. watersheds. Filtered surface waters from both watersheds exhibited values of ∆199Hg (0.37‰ to 0.71‰), consistently elevated above those observed in sediments (∆199Hg average = 0.07‰). Associated suspended particulates from these surface water samples displayed a much greater range of values for ∆199Hg (-0.61‰ to 0.70‰), although suspended particulates from the Yuba R. exhibited mostly negative ∆199Hg values (-0.61‰ to 0.10‰). The relationship between ∆199Hg and ∆201Hg in the filtered surface waters and associated suspended particulates was calculated using a bivariate York regression, yielding a slope of 1.57 ± 0.49 (±2SE) for the Yuba R. and 1.40 ± 0.27 (±2SE) for Cache Cr., both within error of the previously reported experimentally-derived slopes for MeHg- and inorganic Hg(II)-photoreduction. This provides isotopic evidence that Hg photoreduction is occurring within these surface waters to a significant degree, and suspended particulate phases are retaining the reduced product of Hg photoreduction, particularly within the Yuba R. The isotopic compositions of filtered surface waters are consistent with the isotopic signatures recorded in biota at low trophic positions within these watersheds, suggesting that the reservoir of Hg incorporated within the biota of these systems is similar to the filter-passing Hg fraction in surface waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer J Washburn
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
| | - Joel D Blum
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Patrick M Donovan
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Michael Bliss Singer
- School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, United Kingdom; Water Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, United Kingdom; Earth Research Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 91306, United States
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23
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Liu H, Yu B, Fu J, Li Y, Yang R, Zhang Q, Liang Y, Yin Y, Hu L, Shi J, Jiang G. Different circulation history of mercury in aquatic biota from King George Island of the Antarctic. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 250:892-897. [PMID: 31085475 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.04.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
To trace the circulation history of aquatic bioavailable Hg in the Antarctic, the species and isotopic compositions of Hg in sediment, Archaeogastropoda (Agas), Neogastropoda (Ngas), and fish collected from King George Island were studied in detail. Positive mass independent fractionation (MIF) was observed and positively correlated with the percentages of methylmercury (MeHg%) in Agas and Ngas, suggesting an effect of MeHg accumulation during trophic transfer on MIF signatures. However, both the ratios of Δ199Hg/δ202Hg and Δ199Hg/Δ201Hg indicated different circulation histories of Hg in Agas, Ngas, and fish. The microbial methylation in sediment was the primary source of MeHg in Agas and Ngas (Δ199Hg/δ202Hg ∼0, Δ199Hg/Δ201Hg ∼1.00). In contrast, the MeHg in fish (Δ199Hg/δ202Hg = 0.55 ± 0.06, Δ199Hg/Δ201Hg = 1.19 ± 0.17) came from the combined sources of residual MeHg which had sunk from the surface water and microbial-methylated MeHg in sediments, and the bioavailable Hg in the sediments contributed to approximately 44% of the total Hg in fish. Subsequently, the Δ199Hg values of bioavailable MeHg and IHg in sediments were quantitatively calculated, which provided key end-member information for future source apportionment in the Antarctic and other pelagic regions. It was also found that the Hg accumulated in Agas and Ngas had no history of MeHg photo-degradation, indicating that the methylated Hg in benthic zones suffered little photo-degradation and thus presented high bioavailability and environmental risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ben Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Jianjie Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Yingming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Ruiqiang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Qinghua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Yong Liang
- Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China
| | - Yongguang Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Ligang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Jianbo Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China.
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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24
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Perrot V, Landing WM, Grubbs RD, Salters VJM. Mercury bioaccumulation in tilefish from the northeastern Gulf of Mexico 2 years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill: Insights from Hg, C, N and S stable isotopes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 666:828-838. [PMID: 30818207 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) concentration in fish of the Gulf of the Mexico (GoM) is a major concern due to the importance of the GoM for U.S. fisheries. The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill in April 2010 in the northern GoM resulted in large amounts of oil and dispersant released to the water column, which potentially modified Hg bioaccumulation patterns in affected areas. We measured Hg species (methylmercury (MMHg) and inorganic Hg (IHg)) concentrations, and light (C, N and S) and Hg stable isotopes in muscle and liver tissues from tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaleonticeps) sampled in 2012 and 2013 along the shelf break of the northeastern GoM. Fish located close to the mouth of the Mississippi River (MR) and northwest of the DWH well-head (47 km) showed significantly lower Hg levels in muscle and liver than fish located further northeast of the DWH (>109 km), where 98% of tilefish had Hg levels in the muscle above US consumption advisory thresholds (50% for tilefish close to the DWH). Differences in light and Hg stable isotopes signatures were observed between these two areas, showing higher δ15N, and lower δ202Hg, Δ199Hg and δ34S in fish close to the DWH/MR. This suggests that suspended particles from the MR reduces Hg bioavailability at the base of the GoM food chains. This phenomenon can be locally enhanced by the DWH that resulted in increased particles in the water column as evidenced by the marine snow layer in the sediments. On the other hand, freshly deposited Hg associated with organic matter in more oligotrophic marine waters enhanced Hg bioaccumulation in local food webs. Comparing Hg isotopic composition in liver and muscle of fish indicates specific metabolic response in fish having accumulated high levels of MMHg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Perrot
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, 1800 East Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA.
| | - William M Landing
- Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, 117 N. Woodward Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - R Dean Grubbs
- Coastal and Marine Laboratory, Florida State University, 3618 Coastal Highway 98, St. Teresa, FL 32358-2702, USA
| | - Vincent J M Salters
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, 1800 East Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
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25
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High-precision isotopic analysis sheds new light on mercury metabolism in long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas). Sci Rep 2019; 9:7262. [PMID: 31086275 PMCID: PMC6513992 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43825-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Whales accumulate mercury (Hg), but do not seem to show immediate evidence of toxic effects. Analysis of different tissues (liver, kidney, muscle) and biofluids (blood, milk) from a pod of stranded long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) showed accumulation of Hg as a function of age, with a significant decrease in the MeHg fraction. Isotopic analysis revealed remarkable differences between juvenile and adult whales. During the first period of life, Hg in the liver became isotopically lighter (δ202Hg decreased) with a strongly decreasing methylmercury (MeHg) fraction. We suggest this is due to preferential demethylation of MeHg with the lighter Hg isotopes and transport of MeHg to less sensitive organs, such as the muscles. Also changes in diet, with high MeHg intake in utero and during lactation, followed by increasing consumption of solid food contribute to this behavior. Interestingly, this trend in δ202Hg is reversed for livers of adult whales (increasing δ202Hg value), accompanied by a progressive decrease of δ202Hg in muscle at older ages. These total Hg (THg) isotopic trends suggest changes in the Hg metabolism of the long-finned pilot whales, development of (a) detoxification mechanism(s) (e.g., though the formation of HgSe particles), and Hg redistribution across the different organs.
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Rua-Ibarz A, Bolea-Fernandez E, Maage A, Frantzen S, Sanden M, Vanhaecke F. Tracing Mercury Pollution along the Norwegian Coast via Elemental, Speciation, and Isotopic Analysis of Liver and Muscle Tissue of Deep-Water Marine Fish ( Brosme brosme). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:1776-1785. [PMID: 30652479 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b04706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Liver and muscle tissue of tusks ( Brosme brosme) have been analyzed for their THg and MeHg concentrations and Hg isotopic signatures for tracing Hg pollution along the Norwegian coast. Clear differences between tissue types and locations were established. At five of the eight locations, the Hg concentration in muscle exceeded the maximum allowable level of 0.5 mg kg-1 wet weight. δ202Hg values in both tissue types indicated that Hg speciation affects the bulk Hg isotopic signature. Tusk liver seems to be more sensitive to immediate changes and to anthropogenic inorganic Hg, while the muscle rather reflects the Hg accumulated over a longer period of exposure. The δ202Hg values of liver and muscle also enabled different sources of Hg and exposure pathways to be distinguished. δ202Hgmuscle-δ202Hgliver showed a clear correlation with the % MeHg in tusk liver for the coastal waters, but not for the fjords. The absence of significant differences in Δ199Hg values between both tissues of tusk from the same location suggests that in vivo metabolic processes are the underlying reason for the differences in Hg speciation and in δ202Hg values. This work highlights the importance of selecting different tissues of marine fish in future Hg monitoring programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rua-Ibarz
- Ghent University , Department of Chemistry, Atomic & Mass Spectrometry Research Unit , Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281-S12 , 9000 Ghent , Belgium
| | - Eduardo Bolea-Fernandez
- Ghent University , Department of Chemistry, Atomic & Mass Spectrometry Research Unit , Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281-S12 , 9000 Ghent , Belgium
| | - Amund Maage
- Institute of Marine Research , Postboks 1870 Nordnes , 5817 Bergen , Norway
| | - Sylvia Frantzen
- Institute of Marine Research , Postboks 1870 Nordnes , 5817 Bergen , Norway
| | - Monica Sanden
- Institute of Marine Research , Postboks 1870 Nordnes , 5817 Bergen , Norway
| | - Frank Vanhaecke
- Ghent University , Department of Chemistry, Atomic & Mass Spectrometry Research Unit , Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281-S12 , 9000 Ghent , Belgium
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Ma L, Evans RD, Wang W, Georg RB. In vivo fractionation of mercury isotopes in tissues of a mammalian carnivore (Neovison vison). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 627:1228-1233. [PMID: 30857087 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 01/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The use of isotope ratios to trace Hg contamination sources in environmental compartments is now generally accepted. However, for biota and especially for mammals, it is still unknown if and/or how Hg isotopes fractionate in vivo and which tissue is most representative of the source(s) of contamination. We measured fractionation of Hg in mink (Neovison vison) tissues (fur, brain, blood, liver, kidney) collected during a controlled feeding experiment where captive mink were fed differing amounts of methylmercury. There was no significant effect of dietary MeHg concentrations on Hg fractionation in most tissues. Net fractionation of Hg, i.e., fractionation corrected for diet (δ202Hgtissue-δ202Hgdiet) was observed in all tissues with the greatest net fractionation occurring in the mink liver (-1.39‰) and kidney (-0.95‰). Less net fractionation, occurred in the brain (-0.12‰), blood (0.38‰) and fur (0.30‰). In the absence of brain tissue, fur is a suitable proxy which is readily obtainable and can be non-lethally collected. In these mink, it appears that biochemical processes such as demethylation, contribute to significant fractionation of Hg in the liver and kidney, but not as much in the brain and fur, where transport of Hg via thiol-containing complexes may be more important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Ma
- Environment & Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - R Douglas Evans
- School of the Environment, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada.
| | - Wei Wang
- School of the Environment, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - R Bastian Georg
- Water Quality Centre, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
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Renedo M, Amouroux D, Pedrero Z, Bustamante P, Cherel Y. Identification of sources and bioaccumulation pathways of MeHg in subantarctic penguins: a stable isotopic investigation. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8865. [PMID: 29891979 PMCID: PMC5995893 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27079-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Seabirds are widely used as bioindicators of mercury (Hg) contamination in marine ecosystems and the investigation of their foraging strategies is of key importance to better understand methylmercury (MeHg) exposure pathways and environmental sources within the different ecosystems. Here we report stable isotopic composition for both Hg mass-dependent (e.g. δ202Hg) and mass-independent (e.g. Δ199Hg) fractionation (proxies of Hg sources and transformations), carbon (δ13C, proxy of foraging habitat) and nitrogen (δ15N, proxy of trophic position) in blood of four species of sympatric penguins breeding at the subantarctic Crozet Islands (Southern Indian Ocean). Penguins have species-specific foraging strategies, from coastal to oceanic waters and from benthic to pelagic dives, and feed on different prey. A progressive increase to heavier Hg isotopic composition (δ202Hg and Δ199Hg, respectively) was observed from benthic (1.45 ± 0.12 and 1.41 ± 0.06‰) to epipelagic (1.93 ± 0.18 and 1.77 ± 0.13‰) penguins, indicating a benthic-pelagic gradient of MeHg sources close to Crozet Islands. The relative variations of MeHg concentration, δ202Hg and Δ199Hg with pelagic penguins feeding in Polar Front circumpolar waters (1.66 ± 0.11 and 1.54 ± 0.06‰) support that different MeHg sources occur at large scales in Southern Ocean deep waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Renedo
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-Université de la Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France. .,CNRS/UNIV PAU & PAYS ADOUR, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Materiaux, UMR 5254, 64000, Pau, France.
| | - David Amouroux
- CNRS/UNIV PAU & PAYS ADOUR, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Materiaux, UMR 5254, 64000, Pau, France
| | - Zoyne Pedrero
- CNRS/UNIV PAU & PAYS ADOUR, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Materiaux, UMR 5254, 64000, Pau, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-Université de la Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France.
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29
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Madigan DJ, Li M, Yin R, Baumann H, Snodgrass OE, Dewar H, Krabbenhoft DP, Baumann Z, Fisher NS, Balcom P, Sunderland EM. Mercury Stable Isotopes Reveal Influence of Foraging Depth on Mercury Concentrations and Growth in Pacific Bluefin Tuna. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:6256-6264. [PMID: 29761695 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b06429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Pelagic ecosystems are changing due to environmental and anthropogenic forces, with uncertain consequences for the ocean's top predators. Epipelagic and mesopelagic prey resources differ in quality and quantity, but their relative contribution to predator diets has been difficult to track. We measured mercury (Hg) stable isotopes in young (<2 years old) Pacific bluefin tuna (PBFT) and their prey species to explore the influence of foraging depth on growth and methylmercury (MeHg) exposure. PBFT total Hg (THg) in muscle ranged from 0.61 to 1.93 μg g-1 dw (1.31 μg g-1 dw ±0.37 SD; 99% ± 6% MeHg) and prey ranged from 0.01 to 1.76 μg g-1 dw (0.13 μg g-1 dw ±0.19 SD; 85% ± 18% MeHg). A systematic decrease in prey δ202Hg and Δ199Hg with increasing depth of occurrence and discrete isotopic signatures of epipelagic prey (δ202Hg: 0.74 to 1.49‰; Δ199Hg: 1.76-2.96‰) and mesopelagic prey (δ202Hg: 0.09 to 0.90‰; Δ199Hg: 0.62-1.95‰) allowed the use of Hg isotopes to track PBFT foraging depth. An isotopic mixing model was used to estimate the dietary proportion of mesopelagic prey in PBFT, which ranged from 17% to 55%. Increased mesopelagic foraging was significantly correlated with slower growth and higher MeHg concentrations in PBFT. The slower observed growth rates suggest that prey availability and quality could reduce the production of PBFT biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Madigan
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science , Harvard University , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02138 , United States
| | - Miling Li
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science , Harvard University , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02138 , United States
| | - Runsheng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry , Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang 550002 , China
- U.S. Geological Survey , Middleton , Wisconsin 53562 , United States
| | - Hannes Baumann
- Department of Marine Sciences , University of Connecticut , Groton , Connecticut 06269 , United States
| | - Owyn E Snodgrass
- Ocean Associates , Southwest Fisheries Science Center , NMFS, NOAA, La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
| | - Heidi Dewar
- Fisheries Resources Division , Southwest Fisheries Science Center , National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
| | | | - Zofia Baumann
- Department of Marine Sciences , University of Connecticut , Groton , Connecticut 06269 , United States
| | - Nicholas S Fisher
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences , Stony Brook University , Stony Brook , New York 11794 , United States
| | - Prentiss Balcom
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science , Harvard University , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02138 , United States
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science , Harvard University , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02138 , United States
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health , Harvard University , Boston , Massachusetts 02138 , United States
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Du B, Feng X, Li P, Yin R, Yu B, Sonke JE, Guinot B, Anderson CWN, Maurice L. Use of Mercury Isotopes to Quantify Mercury Exposure Sources in Inland Populations, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:5407-5416. [PMID: 29649864 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b05638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) isotopic compositions in hair and dietary sources from Wanshan (WS) Hg mining area, Guiyang (GY) urban area, and Changshun (CS) rural area were determined to identify the major Hg exposure sources of local residents. Rice and vegetables displayed low δ202Hg and small negative to zero Δ199Hg, and are isotopically distinguishable from fish which showed relatively higher δ202Hg and positive Δ199Hg. Distinct isotopic signatures were also observed for human hair from the three areas. Shifts of 2 to 3‰ in δ202Hg between hair and dietary sources confirmed mass dependent fractionation of Hg isotopes occurs during metabolic processes. Near zero Δ199Hg of hair from WS and CS suggested rice is the major exposure source. Positive Δ199Hg of hair from GY was likely caused by consumption of fish. A binary mixing model based on Δ199Hg showed that rice and fish consumption accounted for 59% and 41% of dietary Hg source for GY residents, respectively, whereas rice is the major source for WS and CS residents. The model output was validated by calculation of probable daily intake of Hg. Our study suggests that Hg isotopes can be a useful tracer for quantifying exposure sources and understanding metabolic processes of Hg in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buyun Du
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang 550081 , China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang 550081 , China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang 550081 , China
| | - Runsheng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang 550081 , China
| | - Ben Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang 550081 , China
| | - Jeroen E Sonke
- Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, Géosciences Environment Toulouse (GET), CNRS, IRD , Université Paul Sabatier , 14 Avenue Edouard-Belin , 31400 Toulouse , France
| | - Benjamin Guinot
- Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, Laboratoire d'Aérologie (LA) , Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS , 14 Avenue Edouard-Belin , 31400 Toulouse , France
| | - Christopher W N Anderson
- Soil and Earth Sciences, Institute of Natural Resources , Massey University , Palmerston North , 4442 , New Zealand
| | - Laurence Maurice
- Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, Géosciences Environment Toulouse (GET), CNRS, IRD , Université Paul Sabatier , 14 Avenue Edouard-Belin , 31400 Toulouse , France
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31
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Poste AE, Pastukhov MV, Braaten HFV, Ozersky T, Moore M. Past and present mercury accumulation in the Lake Baikal seal: Temporal trends, effects of life history, and toxicological implications. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2018; 37:1476-1486. [PMID: 29341225 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite global efforts to reduce anthropogenic mercury (Hg) emissions, the timescale and degree to which Hg concentrations in the environment and biota respond to decreased emissions remain challenging to assess or predict. In the present study we characterize long-term trends and life-history patterns in Hg accumulation and toxicological implications of Hg contamination for a freshwater seal from one of the world's largest lakes (Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia) using contemporary tissues and archival teeth. Stable isotope analysis and Hg analyses of soft tissues (muscle, liver, kidney, blood, brain, heart) and teeth from 22 contemporary seals revealed rapid changes in diet and Hg accumulation in the first year of life with a stable diet and increase in tissue Hg throughout the rest of life. Although maternal transfer of Hg was an important source of Hg to seal pups, reproduction and lactation by female seals did not appear to result in sex-related differences in Hg concentrations or age-related accumulation in adult seals. Based on Hg analysis of archival teeth (n = 114) and reconstructed values for soft tissues, we also assessed temporal trends in seal Hg between the years 1960 and 2013. Seal Hg concentrations in hard (teeth) and soft (e.g., muscle, liver) tissues were highest in the 1960s and 1970s, followed by a decrease. The decline in seal Hg concentrations in recent decades was most likely driven by a reduction in Hg inputs to the lake, suggesting that global and regional efforts to reduce Hg emissions have been successful at reducing ecosystem and human health risks posed by Hg in Lake Baikal. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1476-1486. © 2018 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mikhail V Pastukhov
- Vinogradov Institute of Geochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia
| | | | - Ted Ozersky
- Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts, USA
- University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
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Liu CB, Hua XB, Liu HW, Yu B, Mao YX, Wang DY, Yin YG, Hu LG, Shi JB, Jiang GB. Tracing aquatic bioavailable Hg in three different regions of China using fish Hg isotopes. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2018; 150:327-334. [PMID: 29304475 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.12.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
To trace the most concerned bioavailable mercury (Hg) in aquatic environment, fish samples were collected from three typical regions in China, including 3 rivers and 1 lake in the Tibetan Plateau (TP, a high altitude background region with strong solar radiation), the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR, the largest artificial freshwater reservoir in China), and the Chinese Bohai Sea (CBS, a heavily human-impacted semi-enclosed sea). The Hg isotopic compositions in fish muscles were analyzed. The results showed that anthropogenic emissions were the main sources of Hg in fish from TGR and CBS because of the observed negative δ202Hg and positive Δ199Hg in these two regions (TGR, δ202Hg: - 0.72 to - 0.29‰, Δ199Hg: 0.15 - 0.52‰; CBS, δ202Hg: - 2.09 to - 0.86‰, Δ199Hg: 0.07 - 0.52‰). The relatively higher δ202Hg and Δ199Hg (δ202Hg: - 0.37 - 0.08‰, Δ199Hg: 0.50 - 1.89‰) in fish from TP suggested the insignificant disturbance from local anthropogenic activities. The larger slopes of Δ199Hg/Δ201Hg in fish from TGR (1.29 ± 0.14, 1SD) and TP (1.25 ± 0.06, 1SD) indicated methylmercury (MeHg) was produced and photo-reduced in the water column before incorporation into the fish. In contrast, the photoreduction of Hg2+ was the main process in CBS (slope of Δ199Hg/Δ201Hg: 1.06 ± 0.06, 1SD). According to the fingerprint data of Hg isotopes, the most important source for aquatic bioavailable Hg in TP should be the long-range transported Hg, contrasting to the anthropogenic originated MeHg from surface sediments and runoffs in TGR and inorganic Hg from continental inputs in CBS. Therefore, the isotopic signatures of Hg in fish can provide novel clues in tracing sources and behaviors of bioavailable Hg in aquatic systems, which are critical for further understanding the biogeochemical cycling of Hg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Bin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiu-Bing Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Institute of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454000, China
| | - Hong-Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ben Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yu-Xiang Mao
- Institute of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454000, China
| | - Ding-Yong Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yong-Guang Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Li-Gang Hu
- 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; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Gui-Bin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Renedo M, Amouroux D, Duval B, Carravieri A, Tessier E, Barre J, Bérail S, Pedrero Z, Cherel Y, Bustamante P. Seabird Tissues As Efficient Biomonitoring Tools for Hg Isotopic Investigations: Implications of Using Blood and Feathers from Chicks and Adults. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018. [PMID: 29514456 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b00422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Blood and feathers are the two most targeted avian tissues for environmental biomonitoring studies, with mercury (Hg) concentration in blood and body feathers reflecting short and long-term Hg exposure, respectively. In this work, we investigated how Hg isotopic composition (e.g., δ202Hg and Δ199Hg) of blood and feathers from either seabird chicks (skuas, n = 40) or adults (penguins, n = 62) can accurately provide information on exposure to Hg in marine ecosystems. Our results indicate a strong correlation between blood and feather Hg isotopic values for skua chicks, with similar δ202Hg and Δ199Hg values in the two tissues (mean difference: -0.01 ± 0.25 ‰ and -0.05 ± 0.12 ‰, respectively). Since blood and body feathers of chicks integrate the same temporal window of Hg exposure, this suggests that δ202Hg and Δ199Hg values can be directly compared without any correction factors within and between avian groups. Conversely, penguin adults show higher δ202Hg and Δ199Hg values in feathers than in blood (mean differences: 0.28 ± 0.19‰ and 0.25 ± 0.13‰), most likely due to tissue-specific Hg temporal integration. Since feathers integrate long-term (i.e., the intermoult period) Hg accumulation, whereas blood reflects short-term (i.e., seasonal) Hg exposure in adult birds, the two tissues provide complementary information on trophic ecology at different time scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Renedo
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs) , UMR 7266 CNRS-Université de la Rochelle , 2 rue Olympe de Gouges , 17000 La Rochelle , France
- CNRS/UNIV PAU & PAYS ADOUR , Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, UMR 5254 , 64000 , Pau , France
| | - David Amouroux
- CNRS/UNIV PAU & PAYS ADOUR , Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, UMR 5254 , 64000 , Pau , France
| | - Bastien Duval
- CNRS/UNIV PAU & PAYS ADOUR , Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, UMR 5254 , 64000 , Pau , France
| | - Alice Carravieri
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC) , UMR 7372 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle , 79360 Villiers-en-Bois , France
| | - Emmanuel Tessier
- CNRS/UNIV PAU & PAYS ADOUR , Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, UMR 5254 , 64000 , Pau , France
| | - Julien Barre
- CNRS/UNIV PAU & PAYS ADOUR , Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, UMR 5254 , 64000 , Pau , France
| | - Sylvain Bérail
- CNRS/UNIV PAU & PAYS ADOUR , Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, UMR 5254 , 64000 , Pau , France
| | - Zoyne Pedrero
- CNRS/UNIV PAU & PAYS ADOUR , Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, UMR 5254 , 64000 , Pau , France
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC) , UMR 7372 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle , 79360 Villiers-en-Bois , France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs) , UMR 7266 CNRS-Université de la Rochelle , 2 rue Olympe de Gouges , 17000 La Rochelle , France
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Jackson TA. Isotopic and chemical characteristics of mercury in organs and tissues of fish in a mercury-polluted lake: Evidence for fractionation of mercury isotopes by physiological processes. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2018; 37:515-529. [PMID: 28926123 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Organs and tissues of whitefish and trout from mercury (Hg)-polluted Lake Ontario were analyzed for Hg isotopes, methylmercury (CH3 Hg+ ), and inorganic Hg to investigate possible mass-dependent fractionation (MDF) and mass-independent fractionation (MIF) of Hg isotopes by physiological processes of the fish. Isotope signatures of different body parts were defined by δ-values of 198 Hg/202 Hg, 199 Hg/202 Hg, 200 Hg/202 Hg, and 201 Hg/202 Hg ratios and by Δ-values representing effects of MIF on 199 Hg/202 Hg and 201 Hg/202 Hg ratios. The research yielded the following evidence for MDF and MIF, including MIF of isotopes with even as well as odd mass numbers, by metabolic activities: 1) anomalously low δ-values for whitefish kidneys but not for trout kidneys; 2) widely varying differences between the δ-values of different body parts of whitefish but practically uniform differences for those of trout; 3) different relationships between Δ199 Hg and Δ201 Hg for whitefish than for trout; 4) nonlinear correlation between δ198 Hg and δ200 Hg for whitefish but linear correlation for trout; 5) an inverse correlation between the δ199 Hg values and CH3 Hg+ concentrations of whitefish and trout; 6) an inverse correlation between the δ201 Hg/δ199 Hg and CH3 Hg+ /inorganic Hg ratios of trout kidneys and gills (and lipids of trout near the sources of pollution) but a positive correlation for muscle, liver, and gut; and 7) inverse correlations between Δ199 Hg and the CH3 Hg+ /inorganic Hg ratio for trout liver, kidneys, and gut. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:515-529. © 2017 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Togwell A Jackson
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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35
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Tsui MTK, Adams EM, Jackson AK, Evers DC, Blum JD, Balogh SJ. Understanding sources of methylmercury in songbirds with stable mercury isotopes: Challenges and future directions. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2018; 37:166-174. [PMID: 28792100 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) stable isotope analysis is an emerging technique that has contributed to a better understanding of many aspects of the biogeochemical cycling of Hg in the environment. However, no study has yet evaluated its usefulness in elucidating the sources of methylmercury (MeHg) in songbird species, a common organism for biomonitoring of Hg in forested ecosystems. In the present pilot study, we examined stable mercury isotope ratios in blood of 4 species of songbirds and the invertebrates they are likely foraging on in multiple habitats in a small watershed of mixed forest and wetlands in Acadia National Park in Maine (USA). We found distinct isotopic signatures of MeHg in invertebrates (both mass-dependent fractionation [as δ202 Hg] and mass-independent fractionation [as Δ199 Hg]) among 3 interconnected aquatic habitats. It appears that the Hg isotopic compositions in bird blood cannot be fully accounted for by the isotopic compositions of MeHg in lower trophic levels in each of the habitats examined. Furthermore, the bird blood isotope results cannot be simply explained by an isotopic offset as a result of metabolic fractionation of δ202 Hg (e.g., internal demethylation). Our results suggest that many of the birds sampled obtain MeHg from sources outside the habitat they were captured in. Our findings also indicate that mass-independent fractionation is a more reliable and conservative tracer than mass-dependent fractionation for identifying sources of MeHg in bird blood. The results demonstrate the feasibility of Hg isotope studies of songbirds but suggest that larger numbers of samples and an expanded geographic area of study may be required for conclusive interpretation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:166-174. © 2017 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Tsz-Ki Tsui
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
| | - Evan M Adams
- Biodiversity Research Institute, Portland, Maine, USA
| | | | - David C Evers
- Biodiversity Research Institute, Portland, Maine, USA
| | - Joel D Blum
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Steven J Balogh
- Metropolitan Council Environmental Services, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
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36
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Li P, Du B, Maurice L, Laffont L, Lagane C, Point D, Sonke JE, Yin R, Lin CJ, Feng X. Mercury Isotope Signatures of Methylmercury in Rice Samples from the Wanshan Mercury Mining Area, China: Environmental Implications. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:12321-12328. [PMID: 28958148 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b03510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Rice consumption is the primary pathway of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure for residents in mercury-mining areas of Guizhou Province, China. In this study, compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) of MeHg was performed on rice samples collected in the Wanshan mercury mining area. An enrichment of 2.25‰ in total Hg (THg) δ202Hg was observed between rice and human hair, and THg Δ199Hg in hair was 0.12‰ higher than the value in rice. Rice and human hair samples in this study show distinct Hg isotope signatures compared to those of fish and human hair of fish consumers collected in China and other areas. Distinct Hg isotope signatures were observed between IHg and MeHg in rice samples (in mean ± standard deviation: δ202HgIHg at -2.30‰ ± 0.49‰, Δ199HgIHg at -0.08‰ ± 0.04‰, n = 7; δ202HgMeHg at -0.80‰ ± 0.25‰, Δ199HgMeHg at 0.08‰ ± 0.04‰, n = 7). Using a binary mixing model, it is estimated that the atmospheric Hg contributed 31% ± 16% of IHg and 17% ± 11% of THg in the rice samples and the IHg in soil caused by past mining activities contributed to the remaining Hg. This study demonstrated that Hg stable isotopes are good tracers of human MeHg exposure to fish and rice consumption, and the isotope data can be used for identifying the sources of IHg and MeHg in rice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Buyun Du
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049, China
| | - Laurence Maurice
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS , 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Laure Laffont
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS , 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Christelle Lagane
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS , 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - David Point
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS , 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Jeroen E Sonke
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS , 31400 Toulouse, France
| | | | - Che-Jen Lin
- Center for Advances in Water and Air Quality, Lamar University , Beaumont, Texas 77710, United States
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37
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Cransveld A, Amouroux D, Tessier E, Koutrakis E, Ozturk AA, Bettoso N, Mieiro CL, Bérail S, Barre JPG, Sturaro N, Schnitzler J, Das K. Mercury Stable Isotopes Discriminate Different Populations of European Seabass and Trace Potential Hg Sources around Europe. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:12219-12228. [PMID: 28942649 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b01307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Our study reports the first data on mercury (Hg) isotope composition in marine European fish, for seven distinct populations of the European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax. The use of δ202Hg and Δ199Hg values in SIBER enabled us to estimate Hg isotopic niches, successfully discriminating several populations. Recursive-partitioning analyses demonstrated the relevance of Hg stable isotopes as discriminating tools. Hg isotopic values also provided insight on Hg contamination sources for biota in coastal environment. The overall narrow range of δ202Hg around Europe was suggested to be related to a global atmospheric contamination while δ202Hg at some sites was linked either to background contamination, or with local contamination sources. Δ199Hg was related to Hg levels of fish but we also suggest a relation with ecological conditions. Throughout this study, results from the Black Sea population stood out, displaying a Hg cycling similar to fresh water lakes. Our findings bring out the possibility to use Hg isotopes in order to discriminate distinct populations, to explore the Hg cycle on a large scale (Europe) and to distinguish sites contaminated by global versus local Hg source. The interest of using Hg sable isotopes to investigate the whole European Hg cycle is clearly highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Cransveld
- Laboratory for Oceanology - MARE, University of Liège , 15 Allée du 6 Août, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - David Amouroux
- CNRS/UNIV PAU & PAYS ADOUR, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Materiaux, UMR5254 , 64000, PAU, France
| | - Emmanuel Tessier
- CNRS/UNIV PAU & PAYS ADOUR, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Materiaux, UMR5254 , 64000, PAU, France
| | - Emmanuil Koutrakis
- Fisheries Research Institute , Hellenic Agricultural Organisation, 640 07 Nea Peramos, Kavala Greece
| | - Ayaka A Ozturk
- Faculty of Fisheries, Istanbul University , Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nicola Bettoso
- Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione dell'Ambiente del Friuli Venezia Giulia (ARPA FVG) , via A. La Marmora 13, 34139 Trieste, Italy
| | - Cláudia L Mieiro
- CESAM and Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro , Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sylvain Bérail
- CNRS/UNIV PAU & PAYS ADOUR, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Materiaux, UMR5254 , 64000, PAU, France
| | - Julien P G Barre
- CNRS/UNIV PAU & PAYS ADOUR, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Materiaux, UMR5254 , 64000, PAU, France
| | - Nicolas Sturaro
- Laboratory for Oceanology - MARE, University of Liège , 15 Allée du 6 Août, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Joseph Schnitzler
- Laboratory for Oceanology - MARE, University of Liège , 15 Allée du 6 Août, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation , 25761 Büsum, Schleswig-Holstein Germany
| | - Krishna Das
- Laboratory for Oceanology - MARE, University of Liège , 15 Allée du 6 Août, 4000 Liège, Belgium
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38
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Rothenberg SE, Yin R, Hurley JP, Krabbenhoft DP, Ismawati Y, Hong C, Donohue A. Stable Mercury Isotopes in Polished Rice (Oryza sativa L.) and Hair from Rice Consumers. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:6480-6488. [PMID: 28482656 PMCID: PMC5464010 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b01039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) isotopic signatures were characterized in polished rice samples from China, U.S., and Indonesia (n = 45). Hg isotopes were also analyzed in paired hair samples for participants from China (n = 21). For the latter, we also quantified the proportion of methylmercury intake through rice (range: 31-100%), and the weekly servings of fish meals (range: 0-5.6 servings/weekly). For these participants, 29% (n = 6) never ingested fish, 52% (n = 11) ingested fish < twice/weekly, and 19% (n = 4) ingested fish ≥ twice/weekly. In rice and hair, both mass-dependent fractionation (MDF, reported as δ202Hg) and mass-independent fractionation (MIF, reported as Δ199Hg) of Hg isotopes were observed. Compared to rice, hair δ202Hg values were enriched on average (±1 standard deviation) by 1.9 ± 0.61‰, although the range was wide (range: 0.45‰, 3.0‰). Hair Δ199Hg was significantly inversely associated with %methylmercury intake from rice (Spearman's rho = -0.61, p < 0.01, n = 21), i.e., as the proportion of methylmercury intake from rice increased, MIF decreased. Additionally, hair Δ199Hg was significantly higher for participants ingesting fish ≥ twice/weekly compared to those who did not ingest fish or ingested fish < twice/weekly (ANOVA, p < 0.05, n = 21); Overall, results suggest that Hg isotopes (especially MIF) in human hair can be used to distinguish methylmercury intake from rice versus fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Rothenberg
- Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, University
of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
- E-mail: ,
| | - Runsheng Yin
- State
Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China
- Environmental
Chemistry and Technology Program, University
of Wisconsin−Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin−Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - James P. Hurley
- Environmental
Chemistry and Technology Program, University
of Wisconsin−Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin−Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - David P. Krabbenhoft
- U.S. Geological
Survey, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, Wisconsin 53562, United States
| | - Yuyun Ismawati
- BaliFokus Foundation, Mandalawangi No. 5, Jalan Tukad Tegalwangi, Denpasar 80223, Bali, Indonesia
- Medical
Research-International Health Center for International Health, Medical Center of the University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Chuan Hong
- Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, University
of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Alexis Donohue
- Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, University
of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
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Tang S, Feng C, Feng X, Zhu J, Sun R, Fan H, Wang L, Li R, Mao T, Zhou T. Stable isotope composition of mercury forms in flue gases from a typical coal-fired power plant, Inner Mongolia, northern China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2017; 328:90-97. [PMID: 28092743 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Revised: 01/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Mercury forms emitted from coal combustion via air pollution control devices are speculated to carry different Hg isotope signatures. Yet, their Hg isotope composition is still not reported. Here, we present the first onsite Hg isotope data for gaseous elemental Hg (GEM) and gaseous oxidized Hg (GOM) of flue gases from a typical lignite-fired power plant (CFPP). Significant mass dependent fractionation (MDF) and insignificant mass independent fractionation (MIF) are observed between feed coal and coal combustion products. As compared to feed coal (δ202Hg=-2.04±0.25‰), bottom ash, GEM and GOM in flue gases before and after wet flue gas desulfurization system significantly enrich heavy Hg isotopes by 0.7-2.6‰ in δ202Hg, while fly ash, desulfurization gypsum and waste water show slight but insignificant enrichment of light Hg isotopes. GEM is significantly enriched heavy Hg isotopes compared to GOM and Hg in fly ash. Our observations verify the previous speculation on Hg isotope fractionation mechanism in CFPPs, and suggest a kinetically-controlled mass dependent Hg isotope fractionation during transformation of Hg forms in flue gases. Finally, our data are compared to Hg isotope compositions of atmospheric Hg pools, suggesting that coal combustion Hg emission is likely an important atmospheric Hg contributor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunlin Tang
- Institute of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, Henan Province, 454000, China.
| | - Chaohui Feng
- Institute of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, Henan Province, 454000, China
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, China
| | - Jianming Zhu
- Institute of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, Henan Province, 454000, China; State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100086, China
| | - Ruoyu Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
| | - Huipeng Fan
- Institute of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, Henan Province, 454000, China
| | - Lina Wang
- Institute of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, Henan Province, 454000, China
| | - Ruiyang Li
- Institute of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, Henan Province, 454000, China
| | - Tonghua Mao
- Institute of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, Henan Province, 454000, China
| | - Ting Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, China
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40
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Evans RD, Wang W, Evans HE, Georg RB. Variation in Zn, C, and N isotope ratios in three stream insects. Facets (Ott) 2017. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2016-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Total Zn concentrations and Zn isotope ratios were measured, using multicollector inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-mass spectrometry (MS), in three species of aquatic insects collected from a stream in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Total Zn levels averaged 193 ± 88 μg/g dry weight (dw) in water striders (Heteroptera: Gerridae, Aquarius remigis) and were significantly higher than the concentrations measured in stonefly nymphs (Plecoptera: Perlidae, Acroneuria abnormis) and caddisfly larvae (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae, Pycnopsyche guttifer), i.e., 136 ± 34 μg/g dw and 125 ± 26 μg/g dw, respectively. Average delta values for 66Zn/64Zn in the water striders were approximately 0.7‰ lighter (−1.2‰ ± 1.0‰) and were significantly different than those measured for stoneflies (−0.45‰ ± 0.62‰) and caddisflies (−0.51‰ ± 0.54‰). Nitrogen isotope ratios were significantly different ( P < 0.05) among the three species suggesting differences in trophic positioning. Similar to the Zn isotope ratios, δ 13C values for the water striders (−28.61‰ ± 0.98‰) were significantly different than those of the stoneflies and caddisflies, i.e., −30.75‰ ± 1.33‰ and −30.68‰ ± 1.01‰, respectively. The data suggest that the differences observed in Zn ratios relate to food source for these insects. Similar to their carbon sources, Zn in water striders appears to be primarily of terrestrial origin, and of aquatic origin for the other two species.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Douglas Evans
- School of the Environment, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
- Water Quality Centre, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Wei Wang
- School of the Environment, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Hayla E. Evans
- School of the Environment, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
- Water Quality Centre, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - R. Bastian Georg
- Water Quality Centre, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
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41
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Perrot V, Masbou J, Pastukhov MV, Epov VN, Point D, Bérail S, Becker PR, Sonke JE, Amouroux D. Natural Hg isotopic composition of different Hg compounds in mammal tissues as a proxy for in vivo breakdown of toxic methylmercury. Metallomics 2016; 8:170-8. [PMID: 26680232 DOI: 10.1039/c5mt00286a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In the last decade, specific attention has been paid to total mercury (HgT) stable isotopic composition, especially in natural samples such as aquatic organisms, due to its potential to track the cycle of this toxic element in the environment. Here, we investigated Hg Compound Specific stable Isotopic Composition (CSIC) of natural inorganic Hg (iHg) and methylmercury (MMHg) in various tissues of aquatic mammals (Beluga whale from the Arctic marine environment and seals from the freshwater lake Baikal, Russia). In seals' organs the variation in mass dependent fractionation (MDF, δ(202)Hg) for total Hg was significantly correlated to the respective fraction of iHg and MMHg compounds, with MMHg being enriched by ∼ 3‰ in heavier isotopes relative to iHg. On the other hand, we observe insignificant variation in Hg mass independent isotope fractionation (MIF, Δ(199)Hg) among iHg and MMHg in all organs for the same mammal species and MMHg in prey items. MIF signatures suggest that both MMHg and iHg in aquatic mammals have the same origin (i.e., MMHg from food), and are representative of Hg photochemistry in the water column of the mammal ecosystem. MDF signatures of Hg compounds indicate that MMHg is demethylated in vivo before being stored in the muscle, and the iHg formed is stored in the liver, and to a lesser extent in the kidney, before excretion. Thus, Hg CSIC analysis in mammals can be a powerful tool for tracing the metabolic response to Hg exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Perrot
- Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Bio-Inorganique et Environnement, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, IPREM UMR-5254, CNRS-UPPA, Hélioparc, 2 Avenue du Président Pierre Angot, Pau, 64053, France.
| | - Jeremy Masbou
- Laboratoire Géosciences Environnement Toulouse, Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées CNRS-IRD-Université de Toulouse 3, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, Toulouse, 31400, France
| | - Mikhail V Pastukhov
- Laboratory of Geochemical Mapping and Monitoring, Institute of Geochemistry SB RAS, 1A Favorskogo Street, PB-304, Irkutsk, 664033, Russia
| | - Vladimir N Epov
- Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Bio-Inorganique et Environnement, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, IPREM UMR-5254, CNRS-UPPA, Hélioparc, 2 Avenue du Président Pierre Angot, Pau, 64053, France.
| | - David Point
- Laboratoire Géosciences Environnement Toulouse, Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées CNRS-IRD-Université de Toulouse 3, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, Toulouse, 31400, France
| | - Sylvain Bérail
- Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Bio-Inorganique et Environnement, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, IPREM UMR-5254, CNRS-UPPA, Hélioparc, 2 Avenue du Président Pierre Angot, Pau, 64053, France.
| | - Paul R Becker
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jeroen E Sonke
- Laboratoire Géosciences Environnement Toulouse, Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées CNRS-IRD-Université de Toulouse 3, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, Toulouse, 31400, France
| | - David Amouroux
- Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Bio-Inorganique et Environnement, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, IPREM UMR-5254, CNRS-UPPA, Hélioparc, 2 Avenue du Président Pierre Angot, Pau, 64053, France.
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42
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Li M, Schartup AT, Valberg AP, Ewald JD, Krabbenhoft DP, Yin R, Balcom PH, Sunderland EM. Environmental Origins of Methylmercury Accumulated in Subarctic Estuarine Fish Indicated by Mercury Stable Isotopes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:11559-11568. [PMID: 27690400 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b03206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) exposure can cause adverse reproductive and neurodevelopmental health effects. Estuarine fish may be exposed to MeHg produced in rivers and their watersheds, benthic sediment, and the marine water column, but the relative importance of each source is poorly understood. We measured stable isotopes of mercury (δ202Hg, Δ199Hg, and Δ201Hg), carbon (δ13C), and nitrogen (δ15N) in fish with contrasting habitats from a large subarctic coastal ecosystem to better understand MeHg exposure sources. We identify two distinct food chains exposed to predominantly freshwater and marine MeHg sources but do not find evidence for a benthic marine MeHg signature. This is consistent with our previous research showing benthic sediment is a net sink for MeHg in the estuary. Marine fish display lower and less variable Δ199Hg values (0.78‰ to 1.77‰) than freshwater fish (0.72‰ to 3.14‰) and higher δ202Hg values (marine: 0.1‰ to 0.57‰; freshwater: -0.76‰ to 0.15‰). We observe a shift in the Hg isotopic composition of juvenile and adult rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) when they transition between the freshwater and marine environment as their dominant foraging territory. The Hg isotopic composition of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) indicates they receive most of their MeHg from the marine environment despite a similar or longer duration spent in freshwater regions. We conclude that stable Hg isotopes effectively track fish MeHg exposure sources across different ontogenic stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miling Li
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health , Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Amina T Schartup
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health , Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Amelia P Valberg
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health , Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Jessica D Ewald
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | | | - Runsheng Yin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin , Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang 550002, China
| | - Prentiss H Balcom
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health , Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
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43
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Gascón Díez E, Loizeau JL, Cosio C, Bouchet S, Adatte T, Amouroux D, Bravo AG. Role of Settling Particles on Mercury Methylation in the Oxic Water Column of Freshwater Systems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:11672-11679. [PMID: 27670225 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b03260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
As the methylation of inorganic mercury to neurotoxic methylmercury has been attributed to the activity of anaerobic bacteria, the formation of methylmercury in the oxic water column of marine ecosystems has puzzled scientists over the past years. Here we show for the first time that methylmercury can be produced in particles sinking through oxygenated water column of lakes. Total mercury and methylmercury concentrations were measured in the settling particles and in surface sediments of the largest freshwater lake in Western Europe (Lake Geneva). While total mercury concentration differences between sediments and settling particles were not significant, methylmercury concentrations were about ten-fold greater in settling particles. Methylmercury demethylation rate constants (kd) were of similar magnitude in both compartments. In contrast, mercury methylation rate constants (km) were one order of magnitude greater in settling particles. The net potential for methylmercury formation, assessed by the ratio between the two rate constants (km kd-1), was therefore up to ten fold greater in settling particles, denoting that in situ transformations likely contributed to the high methylmercury concentration found in settling particles. Mercury methylation was inhibited (∼80%) in settling particles amended with molybdate, demonstrating the prominent role of biological sulfate-reduction in the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Gascón Díez
- Department F.-A. Forel for Environmental and Water Sciences, University of Geneva , Boulevard Carl-Vogt 66, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Luc Loizeau
- Department F.-A. Forel for Environmental and Water Sciences, University of Geneva , Boulevard Carl-Vogt 66, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Cosio
- Department F.-A. Forel for Environmental and Water Sciences, University of Geneva , Boulevard Carl-Vogt 66, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Sylvain Bouchet
- Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Bio-Inorganique et Environnement, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, UMR 5254 CNRS, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, Hélioparc , 64053 Pau, France
| | - Thierry Adatte
- Institute of Earth Sciences (ISTE), University of Lausanne , 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David Amouroux
- Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Bio-Inorganique et Environnement, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, UMR 5254 CNRS, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, Hélioparc , 64053 Pau, France
| | - Andrea G Bravo
- Limnology Department, Evolutionary Biology Centre, EBC, Norbyvägen 18D, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
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Ciesielski TM, Pastukhov MV, Leeves SA, Farkas J, Lierhagen S, Poletaeva VI, Jenssen BM. Differential bioaccumulation of potentially toxic elements in benthic and pelagic food chains in Lake Baikal. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:15593-15604. [PMID: 27130338 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6634-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Lake Baikal is located in eastern Siberia in the center of a vast mountain region. Even though the lake is regarded as a unique and pristine ecosystem, there are existing sources of anthropogenic pollution to the lake. In this study, the concentrations of the potentially toxic trace elements As, Cd, Pb, Hg, and Se were analyzed in water, plankton, invertebrates, and fish from riverine and pelagic influenced sites in Lake Baikal. Concentrations of Cd, Hg, Pb and Se in Lake Baikal water and biota were low, while concentrations of As were similar or slightly higher compared to in other freshwater ecosystems. The bioaccumulation potential of the trace elements in both the pelagic and the benthic ecosystems differed between the Selenga Shallows (riverine influence) and the Listvenichnyĭ Bay (pelagic influence). Despite the one order of magnitude higher water concentrations of Pb in the Selenga Shallows, Pb concentrations were significantly higher in both pelagic and benthic fish from the Listvenichnyĭ Bay. A similar trend was observed for Cd, Hg, and Se. The identified enhanced bioavailability of contaminants in the pelagic influenced Listvenichnyĭ Bay may be attributed to a lower abundance of natural ligands for contaminant complexation. Hg was found to biomagnify in both benthic and pelagic Baikal food chains, while As, Cd, and Pb were biodiluted. At both locations, Hg concentrations were around seven times higher in benthic than in pelagic fish, while pelagic fish had two times higher As concentrations compared to benthic fish. The calculated Se/Hg molar ratios revealed that, even though Lake Baikal is located in a Se-deficient region, Se is still present in excess over Hg and therefore the probability of Hg induced toxicity in the endemic fish species of Lake Baikal is assumed to be low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz M Ciesielski
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Mikhail V Pastukhov
- Vinogradov Institute of Geochemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, Irkutsk, 664033, Russia
| | - Sara A Leeves
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Julia Farkas
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Environmental Technology, SINTEF Materials and Chemistry, Brattørkaia 17c, 7010, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Syverin Lierhagen
- Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Vera I Poletaeva
- Vinogradov Institute of Geochemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, Irkutsk, 664033, Russia
| | - Bjørn M Jenssen
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
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45
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Yin R, Feng X, Zhang J, Pan K, Wang W, Li X. Using mercury isotopes to understand the bioaccumulation of Hg in the subtropical Pearl River Estuary, South China. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 147:173-9. [PMID: 26766353 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.12.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2015] [Revised: 11/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Coastal and estuarine regions are important areas of mercury pollution. Therefore, it is important to properly characterize the sources and bioaccumulation processes of mercury in these regions. Here, we present mercury stable isotopic compositions in 18 species of wild marine fish collected from the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), south China. Our results showed variations in mass-independent fractionation (Δ(199)Hg: +0.05 ± 0.10‰ to +0.59 ± 0.30‰) with a Δ(199)Hg/Δ(201)Hg of ∼1.26, suggesting that aqueous MeHg underwent photo-degradation prior to incorporation into the food chain. For the results, we discovered small but significant differences of Δ(199)Hg values among herbivorous, demersal, and carnivorous fish, indicating that different feeding guilds of fish may have incorporated MeHg with various degrees of photo-demethylation. The consistent mercury isotope compositions between fish feeding habitat and mercury sources in the estuary provide potentially important findings on the transformation and bioaccumulation of this toxic metal in subtropical coastal environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runsheng Yin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China
| | - Junjun Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Ke Pan
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clearwater Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Wenxiong Wang
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clearwater Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Xiangdong Li
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
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46
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Pedrero Z, Donard OFX, Amouroux D. Pushing back the frontiers of mercury speciation using a combination of biomolecular and isotopic signatures: challenge and perspectives. Anal Bioanal Chem 2016; 408:2641-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-015-9243-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Revised: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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47
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An in-depth evaluation of accuracy and precision in Hg isotopic analysis via pneumatic nebulization and cold vapor generation multi-collector ICP-mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 2015; 408:417-29. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-015-9131-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 10/10/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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48
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Feng C, Pedrero Z, Gentès S, Barre J, Renedo M, Tessier E, Berail S, Maury-Brachet R, Mesmer-Dudons N, Baudrimont M, Legeay A, Maurice L, Gonzalez P, Amouroux D. Specific Pathways of Dietary Methylmercury and Inorganic Mercury Determined by Mercury Speciation and Isotopic Composition in Zebrafish (Danio rerio). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:12984-93. [PMID: 26398726 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b03587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
An original approach is proposed to investigate inorganic (iHg) and methylmercury (MeHg) trophic transfer and fate in a model fish, Danio rerio, by combining natural isotopic fractionation and speciation. Animals were exposed to three different dietary conditions: (1) 50 ng Hg g(-1), 80% as MeHg; (2) diet enriched in MeHg 10,000 ng Hg g(-1), 95% as MeHg, and (3) diet enriched in iHg 10,000 ng Hg g(-1), 99% as iHg. Harvesting was carried out after 0, 7, 25, and 62 days. Time-dependent Hg species distribution and isotopic fractionation in fish organs (muscle, brain, liver) and feces, exhibited different patterns, as a consequence of their dissimilar metabolization. The rapid isotopic re-equilibration to the new MeHg-food source reflects its high bioaccumulation rate. Relevant aspects related to Hg excretion are also described. This study confirms Hg isotopic fractionation as a powerful tool to investigate biological processes, although its deconvolution and fully understanding is still a challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiyan Feng
- Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique, Bio-Inorganique et Environnement, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM), CNRS-UPPA-UMR-5254, Hélioparc , 2 Avenue du Président Pierre Angot, F-64053 Pau, France
| | - Zoyne Pedrero
- Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique, Bio-Inorganique et Environnement, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM), CNRS-UPPA-UMR-5254, Hélioparc , 2 Avenue du Président Pierre Angot, F-64053 Pau, France
| | - Sophie Gentès
- Université de Bordeaux , EPOC, UMR CNRS 5805, F-33120 Arcachon, France
| | - Julien Barre
- Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique, Bio-Inorganique et Environnement, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM), CNRS-UPPA-UMR-5254, Hélioparc , 2 Avenue du Président Pierre Angot, F-64053 Pau, France
| | - Marina Renedo
- Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique, Bio-Inorganique et Environnement, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM), CNRS-UPPA-UMR-5254, Hélioparc , 2 Avenue du Président Pierre Angot, F-64053 Pau, France
| | - Emmanuel Tessier
- Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique, Bio-Inorganique et Environnement, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM), CNRS-UPPA-UMR-5254, Hélioparc , 2 Avenue du Président Pierre Angot, F-64053 Pau, France
| | - Sylvain Berail
- Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique, Bio-Inorganique et Environnement, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM), CNRS-UPPA-UMR-5254, Hélioparc , 2 Avenue du Président Pierre Angot, F-64053 Pau, France
| | | | | | | | - Alexia Legeay
- Université de Bordeaux , EPOC, UMR CNRS 5805, F-33120 Arcachon, France
| | - Laurence Maurice
- Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, Laboratoire de Géosciences Environnement Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse III , 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
- GET, IRD , F-31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Patrice Gonzalez
- Université de Bordeaux , EPOC, UMR CNRS 5805, F-33120 Arcachon, France
| | - David Amouroux
- Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique, Bio-Inorganique et Environnement, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM), CNRS-UPPA-UMR-5254, Hélioparc , 2 Avenue du Président Pierre Angot, F-64053 Pau, France
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49
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Kwon SY, Blum JD, Nadelhoffer KJ, Timothy Dvonch J, Tsui MTK. Isotopic study of mercury sources and transfer between a freshwater lake and adjacent forest food web. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 532:220-9. [PMID: 26071963 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Revised: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Studies of monomethylmercury (MMHg) sources and biogeochemical pathways have been extensive in aquatic ecosystems, but limited in forest ecosystems. Increasing evidence suggests that there is significant mercury (Hg) exchange between aquatic and forest ecosystems. We use Hg stable isotope ratios (δ(202)Hg and Δ(199)Hg) to investigate the relative importance of MMHg sources and assess Hg transfer pathways between Douglas Lake and adjacent forests located at the University of Michigan Biological Station, USA. We characterize Hg isotopic compositions of basal resources and use linear regression of % MMHg versus δ(202)Hg and Δ(199)Hg to estimate Hg isotope values for inorganic mercury (IHg) and MMHg in the aquatic and adjacent forest food webs. In the aquatic ecosystem, we found that lake sediment represents a mixture of IHg pools deposited via watershed runoff and precipitation. The δ(202)Hg and Δ(199)Hg values estimated for IHg are consistent with other studies that measured forest floor in temperate forests. The Δ(199)Hg value estimated for MMHg in the aquatic food web indicates that MMHg is subjected to ~20% photochemical degradation prior to bioaccumulation. In the forest ecosystem, we found a significant negative relationship between total Hg and δ(202)Hg and Δ(199)Hg of soil collected at multiple distances from the lakeshore and lake sediment. This suggests that IHg input from watershed runoff provides an important Hg transfer pathway between the forest and aquatic ecosystems. We measured Δ(199)Hg values for high trophic level insects and compared these insects at multiple distances perpendicular to the lake shoreline. The Δ(199)Hg values correspond to the % canopy cover suggesting that forest MMHg is subjected to varying extents of photochemical degradation and the extent may be controlled by sunlight. Our study demonstrates that the use of Hg isotopes adds important new insight into the relative importance of MMHg sources and complex Hg transfer pathways across ecosystem boundaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sae Yun Kwon
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, 1100 N. University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
| | - Joel D Blum
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, 1100 N. University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, 830 N. University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Knute J Nadelhoffer
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, 830 N. University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - J Timothy Dvonch
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Martin Tsz-Ki Tsui
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 321 McIver Street, Greensboro, NC 27402, United States
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50
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Bonsignore M, Tamburrino S, Oliveri E, Marchetti A, Durante C, Berni A, Quinci E, Sprovieri M. Tracing mercury pathways in Augusta Bay (southern Italy) by total concentration and isotope determination. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2015; 205:178-85. [PMID: 26074159 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Revised: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The mercury (Hg) pollution of sediments is the main carrier of Hg for the biota and, subsequently, for the local fish consumers in Augusta Bay area (SE Sicily, Italy), a coastal marine system affected by relevant sewage from an important chlor-alkali factory. This relationship was revealed by the determination of Mass Dependent (MDF) and Mass Independent Fractionation (MIF) of Hg isotopes in sediment, fish and human hair samples. Sediments showed MDF but no MIF, while fish showed MIF, possibly due to photochemical reduction in the water column and depending on the feeding habitat of the species. Benthic and demersal fish exhibited MDF similar to that of sediments in which anthropogenic Hg was deposited, while pelagic organisms evidenced higher MDF and MIF due to photoreduction. Human hair showed high values of δ(202)Hg (offset of +2.2‰ with respect to the consumed fish) and Δ(199)Hg, both associated to fish consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bonsignore
- Institute for Coastal and Marine Environment (IAMC) - CNR, Via del Mare, 3, 91021 Torretta Granitola, Campobello di Mazara (TP), Italy.
| | - S Tamburrino
- Institute for Coastal and Marine Environment (IAMC) - CNR, Via del Mare, 3, 91021 Torretta Granitola, Campobello di Mazara (TP), Italy
| | - E Oliveri
- Institute for Coastal and Marine Environment (IAMC) - CNR, Via del Mare, 3, 91021 Torretta Granitola, Campobello di Mazara (TP), Italy
| | - A Marchetti
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 183, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - C Durante
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 183, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - A Berni
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 183, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - E Quinci
- Institute for Coastal and Marine Environment (IAMC) - CNR, Via del Mare, 3, 91021 Torretta Granitola, Campobello di Mazara (TP), Italy
| | - M Sprovieri
- Institute for Coastal and Marine Environment (IAMC) - CNR, Via del Mare, 3, 91021 Torretta Granitola, Campobello di Mazara (TP), Italy
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