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Bos R, Zheng W, Lindström S, Sanei H, Waajen I, Fendley IM, Mather TA, Wang Y, Rohovec J, Navrátil T, Sluijs A, van de Schootbrugge B. Climate-forced Hg-remobilization associated with fern mutagenesis in the aftermath of the end-Triassic extinction. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3596. [PMID: 38678037 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47922-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The long-term effects of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province, a large igneous province connected to the end-Triassic mass-extinction (201.5 Ma), remain largely elusive. Here, we document the persistence of volcanic-induced mercury (Hg) pollution and its effects on the biosphere for ~1.3 million years after the extinction event. In sediments recovered in Germany (Schandelah-1 core), we record not only high abundances of malformed fern spores at the Triassic-Jurassic boundary, but also during the lower Jurassic Hettangian, indicating repeated vegetation disturbance and stress that was eccentricity-forced. Crucially, these abundances correspond to increases in sedimentary Hg-concentrations. Hg-isotope ratios (δ202Hg, Δ199Hg) suggest a volcanic source of Hg-enrichment at the Triassic-Jurassic boundary but a terrestrial source for the early Jurassic peaks. We conclude that volcanically injected Hg across the extinction was repeatedly remobilized from coastal wetlands and hinterland areas during eccentricity-forced phases of severe hydrological upheaval and erosion, focusing Hg-pollution in the Central European Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remco Bos
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8, 3584, CB, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Wang Zheng
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, 300072, Tianjin, China.
| | - Sofie Lindström
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Copenhagen University, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350, Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Hamed Sanei
- Lithospheric Organic Carbon (LOC) Group, Department of Geoscience, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs gade 2, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Irene Waajen
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8, 3584, CB, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Isabel M Fendley
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PR, UK
- Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Tamsin A Mather
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PR, UK
| | - Yang Wang
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, 300072, Tianjin, China
| | - Jan Rohovec
- Institute of Geology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Rozvojová 269, Prague, 6 165 00, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Navrátil
- Institute of Geology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Rozvojová 269, Prague, 6 165 00, Czech Republic
| | - Appy Sluijs
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8, 3584, CB, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bas van de Schootbrugge
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8, 3584, CB, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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2
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Xu Z, Lu Q, Jia D, Li S, Luo K, Su T, Chen Z, Qiu G. Significant biomagnification of methylmercury in songbird nestlings through a rice-based food web: Insights from stable mercury isotopes. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 468:133783. [PMID: 38367440 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
To elucidate the sources and transfer of mercury (Hg) in terrestrial food chains, particularly in heavily Hg-contaminated rice paddy ecosystems, we collected rice leaves, invertebrates, and Russet Sparrow nestlings from a clear food chain and analyzed the dietary compositions and potential Hg sources using stable Hg isotopes coupled with a Bayesian isotope mixing model (BIMM). Our findings indicated that MeHg exposure is dominant through the dietary route, with caterpillars, grasshoppers, and katydids being the main prey items, while the less provisioned spiders, dragonflies, and mantises contributed the most of the Hg to nestlings. We found minimal MIF but certain MDF in this terrestrial food chain and identified two distinct MeHg sources of dietary exposure and maternal transfer. We firstly found that the dietary route contributed substantially (almost tenfold) more MeHg to the nestlings than maternal transfer. These findings offer new insights into the integration of Hg from the dietary route and maternal transfers, enhancing our understanding of fluctuating Hg exposure risk during the nestling stage. Our study suggested that Hg isotopes combined with BIMM is an effective approach for tracing Hg sources in birds and for gaining in-depth insight into the trophic transfers and biomagnification of MeHg in food chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhidong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Qinhui Lu
- The Key Laboratory of Environment Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Provincial Engineering Research Center of Ecological Food Innovation, School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Dongya Jia
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
| | - Shenghao Li
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
| | - Kang Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; Ailaoshan Station for Subtropical Forest Ecosystem Studies, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jingdong 676200, China
| | - Tongping Su
- Key Laboratory of Environment Change and Resources Use in Beibu Gulf, Ministry of Education, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China.
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
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3
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Luo K, Yuan W, Lu Z, Xiong Z, Lin CJ, Wang X, Feng X. Unveiling the Sources and Transfer of Mercury in Forest Bird Food Chains Using Techniques of Vivo-Nest Video Recording and Stable Isotopes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:6007-6018. [PMID: 38513264 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10972] [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: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Knowledge gaps in mercury (Hg) biomagnification in forest birds, especially in the most species-rich tropical and subtropical forests, limit our understanding of the ecological risks of Hg deposition to forest birds. This study aimed to quantify Hg bioaccumulation and transfer in the food chains of forest birds in a subtropical montane forest using a bird diet recorded by video and stable Hg isotope signals of biological and environmental samples. Results show that inorganic mercury (IHg) does not biomagnify along food chains, whereas methylmercury (MeHg) has trophic magnification factors of 7.4-8.1 for the basal resource-invertebrate-bird food chain. The video observations and MeHg mass balance model suggest that Niltava (Niltava sundara) nestlings ingest 78% of their MeHg from forest floor invertebrates, while Flycatcher (Eumyias thalassinus) nestlings ingest 59% from emergent aquatic invertebrates (which fly onto the canopy) and 40% from canopy invertebrates. The diet of Niltava nestlings contains 40% more MeHg than that of Flycatcher nestlings, resulting in a 60% higher MeHg concentration in their feather. Hg isotopic model shows that atmospheric Hg0 is the main Hg source in the forest bird food chains and contributes >68% in most organisms. However, three categories of canopy invertebrates receive ∼50% Hg from atmospheric Hg2+. Overall, we highlight the ecological risk of MeHg exposure for understory insectivorous birds caused by atmospheric Hg0 deposition and methylation on the forest floor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Zhiyun Lu
- Ailaoshan Station for Subtropical Forest Ecosystem Studies, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jingdong, Yunnan 676200, China
| | - Zichun Xiong
- Ailaoshan Station for Subtropical Forest Ecosystem Studies, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jingdong, Yunnan 676200, China
| | - Che-Jen Lin
- Center for Advances in Water and Air Quality, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas 77710, United States
| | - Xun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Xinbin Feng
- 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
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4
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Li S, Zhang F, Xu Z, Jia D, Wu G, Liu H, Li C, Liang L, Liu J, Chen Z, Qiu G. Using live videography observation and Bayesian isotope mixing model to identify food composition and dietary contribution to inorganic mercury and methylmercury intake by songbird nestlings. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 244:117902. [PMID: 38092237 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) exposure is increasing in terrestrial birds; however, studies on its sources are scarce. In the present study, we elucidated the food composition of green-backed tit nestlings from three urban forest parks (CPL, AHL, and LCG) using live videography observation (LVO). Furthermore, the daily dietary intakes of inorganic Hg (IHg) (MDIIHg) and methylmercury (MeHg) (MDIMeHg) were determined using the Bayesian isotope mixing model (BIMM) to uncover the nestlings' specific dietary Hg contribution. Both LVO and BIMM indicated that Lepidoptera (primarily caterpillar) constituted the primary food source for the nestlings in the three forests, accounting for approximately 60% of their diet in all three forest parks. The estimated MDI of Hg revealed that lepidopterans and spiders primarily contributed to IHg exposure, with a co-contribution ratio of 71.8%-97.7%. Unexpectedly, dietary MeHg was mostly derived from spiders; the highest contribution ratio of 93.6% was recorded at CPL, followed by another peak ratio of 92.9% at LCG. However, the dietary exposure was primarily IHg, accounting for 69.8% (AHL), 62.0% (LCG), and 61.3% (CPL) of the nestlings. Our study findings highlight the importance of dietary IHg transfer in evaluating the effects of Hg in nestlings. LVO, coupled with BIMM, is an effective tool for determining the food compositions of songbird nestlings and estimating the contribution of specific diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenghao Li
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Fudong Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Zhidong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Dongya Jia
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Gaoen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Hongjiang Liu
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Chan Li
- School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Longchao Liang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Jiemin Liu
- Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, 550002, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China.
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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5
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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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Stinson I, Li HH, Tsui MTK, Ku P, Ulus Y, Cheng Z, Lam HM. Tree foliage as a net accumulator of highly toxic methylmercury. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1757. [PMID: 38242950 PMCID: PMC10799008 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51469-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Tree canopies are known to elevate atmospheric inputs of both mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg). While foliar uptake of gaseous Hg is well documented, little is known regarding the temporal dynamics and origins of MeHg in tree foliage, which represents typically less than 1% of total Hg in foliage. In this work, we examined the foliar total Hg and MeHg content by following the growth of five individual trees of American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) for one growing season (April-November, 2017) in North Carolina, USA. We show that similar to other studies foliar Hg content increased almost linearly over time, with daily accumulation rates ranging from 0.123 to 0.161 ng/g/day. However, not all trees showed linear increases of foliar MeHg content along the growing season; we found that 2 out of 5 trees showed elevated foliar MeHg content at the initial phase of the growing season but their MeHg content declined through early summer. However, foliar MeHg content among all 5 trees showed eventual increases through the end of the growing season, proving that foliage is a net accumulator of MeHg while foliar gain of biomass did not "dilute" MeHg content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idus Stinson
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, 27402, USA
| | - Han-Han Li
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China.
| | - Martin Tsz-Ki Tsui
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, 27402, USA.
- School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Peijia Ku
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, 27402, USA
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA
| | - Yener Ulus
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, 27402, USA
- Department of Environmental Studies, Davidson College, Davidson, NC, 28035, USA
| | - Zhang Cheng
- College of Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Hon-Ming Lam
- School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
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7
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Xing L, Zhang T, Han X, Xie M, Chao L, Chen J, Yu X, Zhou J, Yu G, Sun J. Variability in methylmercury exposure across migratory terrestrial bird species: Influencing factors, biomagnification and potential risks. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:167775. [PMID: 37839483 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite China's considerable mercury (Hg) emissions, monitoring of methylmercury (MeHg) levels in its terrestrial environments remains limited. This study examined the occurrence and accumulation of MeHg in body feathers of 12 migratory terrestrial bird species originating from Siberia and northeastern China. Considerable variations in foraging habits and MeHg levels were observed among these species. Accipiters, including Eurasian and Japanese sparrowhawks (A. gularis and A. nisus) and northern goshawk (A. gentilis), along with insectivorous songbirds including grey-backed thrush (T. hortulorum) and orange-flanked bluetail (T. cyanurus), showed notable levels of MeHg (0.62-1.20 mg/kg). Up to 25 % of the individuals within these species were classified as low-risk based on feather Hg toxicity thresholds, while the remaining species fell into the no-risk category. Despite showing enriched δ15N, MeHg concentrations in short-eared and long-eared owls (A. flammeus and A. otus) were lower than in sparrowhawks. The herbivorous oriental turtle dove (S. orientalis) exhibited significantly lower MeHg levels compared to all other species. There was a significant positive correlation between MeHg concentrations and δ15N across species, highlighting the substantial biomagnification potential of MeHg within the terrestrial food web. Additionally, we found significantly higher MeHg levels in adults than juveniles in both sparrowhawk species. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of utilizing migratory bird feathers for monitoring terrestrial Hg contamination, and underscore the importance of further assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Xing
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Xuetao Han
- Shandong Changdao National Nature Reserve Administration, Yantai 265800, Shandong, China
| | - Maowen Xie
- Shandong Changdao National Nature Reserve Administration, Yantai 265800, Shandong, China
| | - Le Chao
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Jingrui Chen
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoming Yu
- Shandong Changdao National Nature Reserve Administration, Yantai 265800, Shandong, China
| | - Jiahong Zhou
- Shandong Changdao National Nature Reserve Administration, Yantai 265800, Shandong, China
| | - Guoxiang Yu
- Shandong Changdao National Nature Reserve Administration, Yantai 265800, Shandong, China.
| | - Jiachen Sun
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, Shandong, China.
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8
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Armstrong G, Janssen SE, Poulin BA, Tate MT, Krabbenhoft DP, Hurley JP. Competition between Dissolved Organic Matter and Freshwater Plankton Control Methylmercury Isotope Fractionation during Uptake and Photochemical Demethylation. ACS EARTH & SPACE CHEMISTRY 2023; 7:2382-2392. [PMID: 38148993 PMCID: PMC10749477 DOI: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.3c00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Isotope fractionation related to photochemical reactions and planktonic uptake at the base of the food web is a major uncertainty in the biological application of mercury (Hg) stable isotopes. In freshwater systems, it is unclear how competitive interactions among methylmercury (MeHg), dissolved organic matter (DOM), and phytoplankton govern the magnitude of mass-dependent and mass-independent fractionation. This study investigated how DOM alters rates of planktonic MeHg uptake and photodegradation and corresponding Hg isotope fractionation in the presence of freshwater phytoplankton species, Raphidocelis subcapitata. Outdoor sunlight exposure experiments utilizing R. subcapitata were performed in the presence of different DOM samples using environmentally relevant ratios of MeHg-DOM thiol groups. The extent of Δ199Hg in phytoplankton incubations (2.99‰ St. Louis River HPOA, 1.88‰ Lake Erie HPOA) was lower compared to paired abiotic control experiments (4.29 and 2.86‰, respectively) after ∼30 h of irradiation, resulting from cell shading or other limiting factors reducing the extent of photodemethylation. Although the Δ199Hg/Δ201Hg ratio was uniform across experiments (∼1.4), Δ199Hg/δ202Hg slopes varied dramatically (from -0.96 to 15.4) across incubations with R. subcapitata and DOM. In addition, no evidence of Hg isotope fractionation was observed within R. subcapitata cells. This study provides a refined examination of Hg isotope fractionation markers for key processes occurring in the lower food web prior to bioaccumulation, critical for accurately accounting for the photochemical processing of Hg isotopes across a wide spectrum of freshwater systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace
J. Armstrong
- U.S.
Geological Survey Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, United States
- Environmental
Chemistry and Technology Program, University
of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Sarah E. Janssen
- U.S.
Geological Survey Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, United States
| | - Brett A. Poulin
- Department
of Environmental Toxicology, University
of California Davis, Davis, California 95616 United States
| | - Michael T. Tate
- U.S.
Geological Survey Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, United States
| | - David P. Krabbenhoft
- U.S.
Geological Survey Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, United States
| | - James P. Hurley
- Environmental
Chemistry and Technology Program, University
of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- University
of Wisconsin Aquatic Sciences Center, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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9
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Lencioni V, Rizzi C, Gobbi M, Mustoni A, Villa S. Glacier foreland insect uptake synthetic compounds: an emerging environmental concern. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:113859-113873. [PMID: 37855959 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30387-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Pesticides, synthetic fragrances and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contaminated two glacier-fed streams (Amola, Mandrone) and one spring (Grostè) in the Italian Alps. Ten compounds (chlorpyrifos (CPY), chlorpyrifos-methyl (CPY-m), galaxolide (HHCB), tonalide (AHTN), fluorene (Flu), phenanthrene (Phen), anthracene (Ant), fluoranthene (Fl), pyrene (Pyr), benzo[a]anthracene (BaA)) accumulated in aquatic larvae of chironomids (Diamesa steinboecki, D. latitarsis, D. bertrami, D. tonsa, D. zernyi, Pseudokiefferiella parva, Orthocladiinae) and tipulids. Their tissue concentrations (detected by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) ranged from 1.1 ± 0.1 ng/g d.w. (= dry weight) (CPY-m in D. tonsa from Amola) to 68.0 ± 9.1 ng/g d.w. (Pyr in D. steinboecki from Mandrone). HHCB, AHTN, and CPY, with one exception, were accumulated by all aquatic insects. Six compounds (CPY, CPY-m, HHCB, AHTN, Fl, Pyr) also contaminated carabids (Nebria germarii, N. castanea, N. jockischii) predating adults of merolimnic insects. Their tissue concentrations ranged from 1.1 ± 0.3 ng/g d.w. (CPY-m in N. germarii from Mandrone) to 84.6 ± 0.3 ng/g d.w. (HHCB in N. castanea from Grostè). HHCB and AHTN were accumulated by all Nebria species. Intersite and interspecies differences were observed, which might be attributed to different environmental contamination levels. There was a stronger similarity between species from the same site than among the same species from different sites, suggesting that uptake is not species specific. At all sites, the concentration of xenobiotics was higher in larvae than in water and comparable or higher in carabids than in larvae from the same site, suggesting trophic transfer by emerging aquatic insects to their riparian predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Lencioni
- Climate and Ecology Unit, Research and Museum Collections Office, MUSE-Museo delle Scienze, Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza, 3, 38122, Trento, Italy.
| | - Cristiana Rizzi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences DISAT, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Mauro Gobbi
- Climate and Ecology Unit, Research and Museum Collections Office, MUSE-Museo delle Scienze, Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza, 3, 38122, Trento, Italy
| | - Andrea Mustoni
- Adamello Brenta Natural Park, Via Nazionale, 24, 38080, Strembo (Trento), Italy
| | - Sara Villa
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences DISAT, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126, Milan, Italy
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10
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Hu J, Zheng L, Liu S, Chen Y, Li C, Ni J, Chen Y, An S. Quantifying the impacts of coal mining activities on topsoil using Hg stable isotope: A case study of Guqiao mining area, Huainan City. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 335:122378. [PMID: 37586683 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122378] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
The Hg released from coal mining activities can endanger soil ecosystems and pose a risk to human health. Understanding the accumulation characteristics of mercury (Hg) in coal mining soil is important for effectively controlling Hg emissions and developing measures for the prevention and control of Hg contamination. To identify the potential sources of Hg in soils, the Hg concentration and isotopic composition characteristics of raw coal and different topsoil types from the areas surrounding a coal mine were determined in this study. The results showed that Hg in coal mainly exists mainly in the form of inorganic Hg, and Hg has experienced Hg2+ photoreduction prior to incorporating into coal. In addition, the composition of Hg isotopes differed significantly among different topsoil types, and the δ202Hg value of the farmland soil exhibited large negative excursions compared to the coal mining soil. The ternary mixed model further revealed the presence of substantial differences in potential Hg sources among the two regions, with the coal mining soil being greatly disturbed by anthropogenic activity, and the relative contributions of Hg from raw coal, coal gangue, and background soil to coal mining soil being 33.42%, 34.4%, and 32.19%, respectively. However, Hg from raw coal, coal gangue and background soil contributed 17.04%, 21.46%, and 61.51% of the Hg in the farmland soil, indicating that the accumulation of Hg in farmland soil was derived primarily from the background soil. Our study demonstrated that secondary pollution in soil caused by immense accumulation of solid waste (gangue) by mining activities offers a significant challenge to ecological security. These findings provide new insights into controlling soil Hg in mining areas and further highlight the urgency of strict protective measures for contaminated sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Hu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Mine Ecological Remediation, Hefei, 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Liugen Zheng
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Mine Ecological Remediation, Hefei, 230601, Anhui, China.
| | - Sikui Liu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Mine Ecological Remediation, Hefei, 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Yeyu Chen
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Mine Ecological Remediation, Hefei, 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Chang Li
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Mine Ecological Remediation, Hefei, 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Jincheng Ni
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Mine Ecological Remediation, Hefei, 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Yongchun Chen
- National Engineering Laboratory of Coal Mine Ecological Environment Protection, Huainan, 232001, Anhui, China
| | - Shikai An
- National Engineering Laboratory of Coal Mine Ecological Environment Protection, Huainan, 232001, Anhui, China
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11
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Janssen SE, Kotalik CJ, Eagles-Smith CA, Beaubien GB, Hoffman JC, Peterson G, Mills MA, Walters DM. Mercury Isotope Values in Shoreline Spiders Reveal the Transfer of Aquatic Mercury Sources to Terrestrial Food Webs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS 2023; 10:891-896. [PMID: 37840816 PMCID: PMC10569030 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
The transfer of aquatic contaminants, including mercury (Hg), to terrestrial food webs is an often-overlooked exposure pathway to terrestrial animals. While research has implemented the use of shoreline spiders to assess aquatic to terrestrial Hg transfer, it is unclear whether Hg sources, estimated from isotope ratios, can be successfully resolved to inform site assessments and remedy effectiveness. To examine aquatic to terrestrial Hg transfer, we collected shoreline spiders (Tetragnatha spp.) and aquatic insect larvae (suborder Anisoptera) across a mosaic of aquatic and shoreline habitats in the St. Louis River and Bad River, tributaries to Lake Superior. The fraction of industrial Hg in sediments was reflected in the δ202Hg values of aquatic dragonfly larvae and predatory fish, connecting benthic Hg sources to the aquatic food web. Shoreline spiders mirrored these aquatic Hg source signatures with highly positive correlations in δ202Hg between tetragnathids and dragonfly larvae (r2 = 0.90). Further assessment of different spider taxa (i.e., araneids and pisaurids) revealed that differences in prey consumption and foraging strategies resulted in isotope differences, highlighting the importance of spider taxa selection for Hg monitoring efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Janssen
- U.S.
Geological Survey Upper Midwest Water Science Center, One Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, United States
| | - Christopher J. Kotalik
- U.S.
Geological Survey Columbia Environmental Research Center, 4200 New Haven Road, Columbia, Missouri 65201, United States
| | - Collin A. Eagles-Smith
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Gale B. Beaubien
- U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development,
National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220, United States
| | - Joel C. Hoffman
- Center
for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology
and Ecology Division, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency Office of Research and Development, 6201 Congdon Boulevard, Duluth, Minnesota 55804, United States
| | - Greg Peterson
- Center
for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology
and Ecology Division, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency Office of Research and Development, 6201 Congdon Boulevard, Duluth, Minnesota 55804, United States
| | - Marc A. Mills
- U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development,
National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220, United States
| | - David M. Walters
- U.S.
Geological Survey Columbia Environmental Research Center, 4200 New Haven Road, Columbia, Missouri 65201, United States
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12
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Xu Z, Luo K, Lu Q, Shang L, Tian J, Lu Z, Li Q, Chen Z, Qiu G. The mercury flow through a terrestrial songbird food chain in subtropical pine forest: Elucidated by Bayesian isotope mixing model and stable mercury isotopes. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 459:132263. [PMID: 37573826 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
In order to comprehend the transfer of inorganic mercury (IHg) and methylmercury (MeHg) within food chains in terrestrial pine forests, we collected samples of Great Tit nestlings, common invertebrates, plants, and soil in a subtropical pine forest and used Bayesian isotope mixing model analysis, Hg daily intake, and stable Hg isotopes to elucidate the flow of MeHg and IHg in these food chains. Results indicate that caterpillars and cockroaches are the predominant prey items for nestlings, accounting for a combined contribution of 81.5%. Furthermore, caterpillars, cockroaches, and spiders were found to contribute the most (∼80%) of both IHg and MeHg that dietary accumulated in nestlings. The provisoned invertebrates tend to supply more IHg and diluting the proportion of MeHg as total Hg (MeHg%). Notably, nestling feathers displayed the highest Δ199Hg values but a relatively lower MeHg%, suggesting an imbalanced incorporation of Hg from maternal transfer and dietary accumulation during the nestling stage. This study highlights the efficacy of nestlings as indicators for identifying Hg sources and transfers in avian species and food chains. However, caution must be exercised when using Hg isotope compositions in growing feathers, and the contribution of maternally transferred Hg should not be ignored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhidong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Kang Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; Ailaoshan Station for Subtropical Forest Ecosystem Studies, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jingdong 676200, China
| | - Qinhui Lu
- The Key Laboratory of Environment Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Lihai Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Jing Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Zhiyun Lu
- Ailaoshan Station for Subtropical Forest Ecosystem Studies, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jingdong 676200, China
| | - Qiuhua Li
- Guizhou Key Laboratory for Mountainous Environmental Information and Ecological Protection, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
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13
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Bedard B, Hickey B, Chételat J, Mennigen JA. Variation in habitat use and its consequences for mercury exposure in two Eastern Ontario bat species, Myotis lucifugus and Eptesicus fuscus. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 32:845-857. [PMID: 37612563 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-023-02693-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
The St. Lawrence River in Eastern Ontario, Canada, has been a designated an area of concern due to past industrial contamination of sediment in some areas and transport of mercury from tributaries. Previous research using bats as sentinel species identified elevated concentrations of total mercury (THg) in fur of local bats and species-specific variation between little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) and big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). Here, we investigated the mercury exposure pathways for these two species by testing the hypothesis that diet variation, particularly the reliance on aquatic over terrestrial insects, is a determinant of local bat mercury concentrations. We analyzed THg concentration and stable isotope ratios of δ15N and δ13C in fur of little and big brown bats, and in aquatic and terrestrial insects. Big brown bats, especially males, accumulated significantly higher THg concentrations in their fur compared to little brown bats. However, this difference was not related to diet because big brown bats consumed terrestrial insects, which were lower in mercury than aquatic insects, the primary prey for little brown bats. We also evaluated whether fur THg concentrations translate into molecular changes in tissues linked to (methyl)mercury toxicity by quantifying tissue changes in global DNA methylation and mitochondrial DNA abundance. No significant changes in DNA molecular markers were observed in relation to fur THg concentration, suggesting mercury exposure to local bats did not impact molecular level changes at the DNA level. Higher mercury in bats was not associated with local aquatic contamination or genotoxicity in this study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailey Bedard
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N6A5, Canada
- River Institute, Cornwall, ON, K6H4Z1, Canada
| | | | - John Chételat
- National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A0H3, Canada
| | - Jan A Mennigen
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N6A5, Canada.
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14
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Xu Z, Lu Q, Xu X, Liang L, Abeysinghe KS, Chen Z, Qiu G. Aquatic methylmercury is a significant subsidy for terrestrial songbirds: Evidence from the odd mass-independent fractionation of mercury isotopes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 880:163217. [PMID: 37011675 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In contrast to aquatic food chains, knowledge of the origins and transfer of mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in terrestrial food chains is relatively limited, especially in songbirds. We collected soil, rice plants, aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, small wild fish, and resident songbird feathers from an Hg-contaminated rice paddy ecosystem for an analysis of stable Hg isotopes to clarify the sources of Hg and its transfer in songbirds and their prey. Significant mass-dependent fractionation (MDF, δ202Hg), but no mass-independent fractionation (MIF, ∆199Hg) occurred in the trophic transfers in terrestrial food chains. Piscivorous, granivorous, and frugivorous songbirds and aquatic invertebrates were all characterized by elevated Δ199Hg values. The estimated MeHg isotopic compositions obtained using linear fitting and a binary mixing model explained both the terrestrial and aquatic origins of MeHg in the terrestrial food chains. We found that MeHg from aquatic habitats is an important subsidy for terrestrial songbirds, even those that feed mainly on seeds, fruits, or cereals. The results show that MIF of the MeHg isotope is a reliable tool to reveal MeHg sources in songbirds. Because the MeHg isotopic compositions was calculated with a binary mixing model or directly estimated from the high proportions of MeHg, compound-specific isotope analysis of Hg would be more useful for the interpretation of the Hg sources, and is highly recommended for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhidong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Qinhui Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; The Key Laboratory of Environment Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Xiaohang Xu
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment (Guizhou University), Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Longchao Liang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
| | - Kasun S Abeysinghe
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
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15
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Zhou Z, Wang H, Li Y. Mercury stable isotopes in the ocean: Analytical methods, cycling, and application as tracers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 874:162485. [PMID: 36858226 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) has seven stable isotopes that can be utilized to trace the sources of Hg and evaluate the importance of transport and transformation processes in the cycling of Hg in the environment. The ocean is an integral part of the Earth and plays an important role in the global mercury cycle. However, there is a lack of a systematic review of Hg stable isotopes in marine environments. This review is divided into four sections: a) advances in Hg stable isotope analysis, b) the isotope ratios of Hg in various marine environmental matrices (seawater, sediment, and organisms), c) processes governing stable Hg isotope ratios in the ocean, and d) application of Hg stable isotopes to understand biotic uptake and migration. Mercury isotopes have provided much useful information on marine Hg cycling that cannot be given by Hg concentrations alone. This includes (i) sources of Hg in coastal or estuarine environments, (ii) transformation pathways and mechanisms of different forms of Hg in marine environments, (iii) trophic levels and feeding guilds of marine fish, and (iv) migration/habitat changes of marine fish. With the improvement of methods for seawater Hg isotope analysis (especially species-specific methods) and the measurement of Hg isotope fractionation during natural biogeochemical processes in the ocean, Hg stable isotopes will advance our understanding of the marine Hg cycle in the future, e.g., mercury exchange at the sea-atmosphere interface and seawater-sediment interface, contributions of different water masses to Hg in the ocean, fractionation mechanisms of Hg and MeHg transformation in seawater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengwen Zhou
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, 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
| | - Huiling Wang
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, 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
| | - Yanbin Li
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, 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.
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16
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Yuan J, Liu Y, Chen S, Peng X, Li YF, Li S, Zhang R, Zheng W, Chen J, Sun R, Heimbürger-Boavida LE. Mercury Isotopes in Deep-Sea Epibenthic Biota Suggest Limited Hg Transfer from Photosynthetic to Chemosynthetic Food Webs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:6550-6562. [PMID: 37042785 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01276] [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: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Deep oceans receive mercury (Hg) from upper oceans, sediment diagenesis, and submarine volcanism; meanwhile, sinking particles shuttle Hg to marine sediments. Recent studies showed that Hg in the trench fauna mostly originated from monomethylmercury (MMHg) of the upper marine photosynthetic food webs. Yet, Hg sources in the deep-sea chemosynthetic food webs are still uncertain. Here, we report Hg concentrations and stable isotopic compositions of indigenous biota living at hydrothermal fields of the Indian Ocean Ridge and a cold seep of the South China Sea along with hydrothermal sulfide deposits. We find that Hg is highly enriched in hydrothermal sulfides, which correlated with varying Hg concentrations in inhabited biota. Both the hydrothermal and cold seep biota have small fractions (<10%) of Hg as MMHg and slightly positive Δ199Hg values. These Δ199Hg values are slightly higher than those in near-field sulfides but are 1 order of magnitude lower than the trench counterparts. We suggest that deep-sea chemosynthetic food webs mainly assimilate Hg from ambient seawater/sediments and hydrothermal fluids formed by percolated seawater through magmatic/mantle rocks. The MMHg transfer from photosynthetic to chemosynthetic food webs is likely limited. The contrasting Hg sources between chemosynthetic and trench food webs highlight Hg isotopes as promising tools to trace the deep-sea Hg biogeochemical cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Yuan
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, 300072 Tianjin, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, 300072 Tianjin, China
| | - Shun Chen
- Deep Sea Science Division, Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 572000 Sanya, Hainan, China
| | - Xiaotong Peng
- Deep Sea Science Division, Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 572000 Sanya, Hainan, China
| | - Yu-Feng Li
- CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Beijing Metallomics Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China
| | - Songjing Li
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, 300072 Tianjin, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, 300072 Tianjin, China
| | - Wang Zheng
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, 300072 Tianjin, China
| | - Jiubin Chen
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, 300072 Tianjin, China
| | - Ruoyu Sun
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, 300072 Tianjin, China
| | - Lars-Eric Heimbürger-Boavida
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS/INSU, Université de Toulon, IRD, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO) UM 110, 13288 Marseille, France
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17
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Crowther ER, Demers JD, Blum JD, Brooks SC, Johnson MW. Coupling of nitric acid digestion and anion-exchange resin separation for the determination of methylmercury isotopic composition within organisms. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023; 415:759-774. [PMID: 36472636 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04468-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Isotope ratios of methylmercury (MeHg) within organisms can be used to identify sources of MeHg that have accumulated in food webs, but these isotopic compositions are masked in organisms at lower trophic levels by the presence of inorganic mercury (iHg). To facilitate measurement of MeHg isotope ratios in organisms, we developed a method of extracting and isolating MeHg from fish and aquatic invertebrates for compound-specific isotopic analysis involving nitric acid digestion, batch anion-exchange resin separation, and pre-concentration by purge and trap. Recovery of MeHg was quantified after each step in the procedure, and the average cumulative recovery of MeHg was 93.4 ± 2.9% (1 SD, n = 28) for biological reference materials and natural biota samples and 96.9 ± 1.8% (1 SD, n = 5) for aqueous MeHgCl standards. The amount of iHg impurities was also quantified after each step, and the average MeHg purity was 97.8 ± 4.3% (1 SD, n = 28) across all reference materials and natural biota samples after the final separation step. Measured MeHg isotopic compositions of reference materials agreed with literature values obtained using other MeHg separation techniques, and MeHg isotope ratios of aqueous standards, reference materials, and natural biota samples were reproducible. On average, the reproducibility associated with reference material process replicates (2 SD) was 0.10‰ for δ202MeHg and 0.04‰ for Δ199MeHg. This new method provides a streamlined, reliable technique that utilizes a single sample aliquot for MeHg concentration and isotopic analysis. This promotes a tight coupling between MeHg concentration, %MeHg, and Hg isotopic composition, which may be especially beneficial for studying complex food webs with multiple isotopically distinct sources of iHg and/or MeHg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R Crowther
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, 1100 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1005, USA.
| | - Jason D Demers
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, 1100 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1005, USA
- Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire, 8 College Rd., Durham, NH, 03824-2600, USA
| | - Joel D Blum
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, 1100 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1005, USA
| | - Scott C Brooks
- Environmental Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box 2008, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831-6038, USA
| | - Marcus W Johnson
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, 1100 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1005, USA
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18
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Li C, Luo K, Shao Y, Xu X, Chen Z, Liang T, Xu Z, Dong X, Wang H, Qiu G. Total and methylmercury concentrations in nocturnal migratory birds passing through Mount Ailao, Southwest China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 215:114373. [PMID: 36165871 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114373] [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: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Despite growing concerns over mercury (Hg) accumulation in birds in recent decades, little is known about Hg exposure in nocturnal migratory birds. Here, total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) were detected in the feathers of nocturnal migratory birds (n = 286, belonging to 46 species) passing through Mount Ailao in Southwest China. The stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) were also determined to clarify the effects of trophic position, foraging guild, and foraging behavior on Hg bioaccumulation. Our results show that the THg and MeHg concentrations varied by two orders of magnitude among all nocturnal migratory birds investigated, with the lowest values (THg: 0.056 mg kg-1; MeHg: 0.038 mg kg-1) in the Asian koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) and the highest (THg: 12 mg kg-1; MeHg: 7.8 mg kg-1) in the hair-crested drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus). Waterbirds showed higher δ15N values and higher THg and MeHg concentrations than songbirds, and the Hg concentrations in piscivorous species were significantly higher than those in herbivores, omnivores, and insectivores. Significant effects of foraging guilds (Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA, p < 0.001) and foraging behaviors (Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA, p < 0.001) on the Hg concentrations in migratory bird feathers were detected. A risk assessment indicated that approximately 7.0% of individuals were at moderate (2.4-5.0 mg kg-1) to high (>5.0 mg kg-1) risk of Hg exposure, and were therefore vulnerable to adverse physiological and behavioral effects. A long-term monitoring campaign during the migratory period is highly recommended to better understand the bioaccumulation of Hg in these nocturnal migratory bird populations over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Li
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Kang Luo
- 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
| | - Yuxiao Shao
- School of Geography and Environmental Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Xiaohang Xu
- 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
| | - Zhuo Chen
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China.
| | - Tao Liang
- Zhenyuan Management and Protection Bureau of Ailao Mountain National Nature Reserve, Zhenyuan, 666500, China
| | - Zhidong Xu
- 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
| | - Xian Dong
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Hongdong Wang
- Zhenyuan Management and Protection Bureau of Ailao Mountain National Nature Reserve, Zhenyuan, 666500, China
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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19
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Rundio DE, Rivera R, Weiss-Penzias PS. High mercury concentrations in steelhead/rainbow trout, sculpin, and terrestrial invertebrates in a stream-riparian food web in coastal California. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 31:1506-1519. [PMID: 36449122 PMCID: PMC9709357 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-022-02608-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Stream and riparian food webs are connected by cross-habitat exchanges of invertebrate prey that can transfer contaminants including mercury. Marine fog has been identified as a source of methylmercury (MeHg) to some terrestrial food webs in coastal California, suggesting that terrestrial invertebrates might have elevated MeHg relative to stream invertebrates and might lead to higher mercury exposure in fish that consume terrestrial subsidies. As an initial step to examine this possibility, we analyzed mercury concentrations in terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates and two fish species, steelhead/rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and coastrange sculpin (Cottus aleuticus), in a small watershed. Mean MeHg and total mercury (THg) concentrations in terrestrial invertebrates were three to four times higher than in aquatic invertebrates of the same trophic level. MeHg was >1000 ng/g dw in some individual centipede and scorpion samples, and also relatively high (100-300 ng/g dw) in some terrestrial detritivores, including non-native isopods. Mean THg in age 0 trout was 400 ng/g dw compared to 1200-1300 ng/g dw in age 1+ trout and sculpin, and the largest trout sampled had THg >3500 ng/g dw. However, the similar mercury concentrations between age 1+ trout and sculpin, despite different diet types, indicated that Hg concentrations in fish were not related simply to differences in consumption of terrestrial invertebrates. The high mercury concentrations we found in terrestrial invertebrates and fish suggest that further research on the sources and bioaccumulation of mercury is warranted in this region where O. mykiss populations are threatened.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Rundio
- Fisheries Ecology Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 110 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA.
| | - Roberto Rivera
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, 544 Engineering Tower, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Peter S Weiss-Penzias
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
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20
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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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21
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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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22
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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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23
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Li ML, Kwon SY, Poulin BA, Tsui MTK, Motta LC, Cho M. Internal Dynamics and Metabolism of Mercury in Biota: A Review of Insights from Mercury Stable Isotopes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:9182-9195. [PMID: 35723432 PMCID: PMC9261262 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c08631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring mercury (Hg) levels in biota is considered an important objective for the effectiveness evaluation of the Minamata Convention. While many studies have characterized Hg levels in organisms at multiple spatiotemporal scales, concentration analyses alone often cannot provide sufficient information on the Hg exposure sources and internal processes occurring within biota. Here, we review the decadal scientific progress of using Hg isotopes to understand internal processes that modify the speciation, transport, and fate of Hg within biota. Mercury stable isotopes have emerged as a powerful tool for assessing Hg sources and biogeochemical processes in natural environments. A better understanding of the tissue location and internal mechanisms leading to Hg isotope change is key to assessing its use for biomonitoring. We synthesize the current understanding and uncertainties of internal processes leading to Hg isotope fractionation in a variety of biota, in a sequence of better to less studied organisms (i.e., birds, marine mammals, humans, fish, plankton, and invertebrates). This review discusses the opportunities and challenges of using certain forms of biota for Hg source monitoring and the need to further elucidate the physiological mechanisms that control the accumulation, distribution, and toxicity of Hg in biota by coupling new techniques with Hg stable isotopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Ling Li
- School
of Marine Science and Policy, University
of Delaware, 201 Robinson Hall, Newark, Delaware 19716, United
States
| | - 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
| | - Brett A. Poulin
- Department
of Environmental Toxicology, University
of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Martin Tsz-Ki Tsui
- School
of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Laura C. Motta
- Department
of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, 359 Natural Sciences Complex, Buffalo, New York 14260-3000, United States
| | - Moonkyoung Cho
- Division
of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro,
Nam-Gu, Pohang 37673, South Korea
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24
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Zhang F, Xu Z, Xu X, Liang L, Chen Z, Dong X, Luo K, Dinis F, Qiu G. Terrestrial mercury and methylmercury bioaccumulation and trophic transfer in subtropical urban forest food webs. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 299:134424. [PMID: 35351481 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As the "lungs of the city", urban forests can improve air quality by absorbing air pollutants, becoming hotspots for mercury (Hg) pollution from anthropogenic activities. However, the bioaccumulation and transfer of Hg in the urban forest food web are unclear. In this study, total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations, as well as the stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) in organisms with different trophic levels (TLs) were investigated in a mid-subtropical urban forest of the Changpoling Forest Park (CFP) in Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, southwestern China. The results showed that THg and MeHg among all taxa ranged from 5.6 to 1267 ng g-1 and 0.046-692 ng g-1, respectively. MeHg% (% of Hg present as MeHg) at different TLs exhibited a wide range of 5.0-69% on average. Both THg and MeHg increased with the TLs from plants to nestling birds, indicating distinct biomagnification through the food web of grasses/pine needles - grasshoppers/caterpillars/katydids/mantis - spiders/songbird nestlings. The trophic magnification slope (TMS) of THg and MeHg were 0.18 ± 0.05 and 0.37 ± 0.08, respectively, suggesting both of them significantly increase along food webs. These findings improve the understanding of biogeochemical Hg cycles in terrestrial food webs and highlight the impacts of terrestrial MeHg on nestling birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fudong Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Zhidong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Xiaohang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Longchao Liang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China.
| | - Xian Dong
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Kang Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; Ailaoshan Station for Subtropical Forest Ecosystem Studies, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jingdong, 676200, China
| | - Faustino Dinis
- College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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25
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Kraus JM, Holloway JM, Pribil MJ, McGee BN, Stricker CA, Rutherford DL, Todd AS. Increased Mercury and Reduced Insect Diversity in Linked Stream-Riparian Food Webs Downstream of a Historical Mercury Mine. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:1696-1710. [PMID: 35404497 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Historical mining left a legacy of abandoned mines and waste rock in remote headwaters of major river systems in the western United States. Understanding the influence of these legacy mines on culturally and ecologically important downstream ecosystems is not always straightforward because of elevated natural levels of mineralization in mining-impacted watersheds. To test the ecological effects of historic mining in the headwaters of the upper Salmon River watershed in Idaho (USA), we measured multiple community and chemical endpoints in downstream linked aquatic-terrestrial food webs. Mining inputs impacted downstream food webs through increased mercury accumulation and decreased insect biodiversity. Total mercury (THg) in seston, aquatic insect larvae, adult aquatic insects, riparian spiders, and fish at sites up to 7.6 km downstream of mining was found at much higher concentrations (1.3-11.3-fold) and was isotopically distinct compared with sites immediately upstream of mining inputs. Methylmercury concentrations in bull trout and riparian spiders were sufficiently high (732-918 and 347-1140 ng MeHg g-1 dry wt, respectively) to affect humans, birds, and piscivorous fish. Furthermore, the alpha-diversity of benthic insects was locally depressed by 12%-20% within 4.3-5.7 km downstream from the mine. However, because total insect biomass was not affected by mine inputs, the mass of mercury in benthic insects at a site (i.e., ng Hg m-2 ) was extremely elevated downstream (10-1778-fold) compared with directly upstream of mining inputs. Downstream adult aquatic insect-mediated fluxes of THg were also high (~16 ng THg m-2 day-1 ). Abandoned mines can have ecologically important effects on downstream communities, including reduced biodiversity and increased mercury flux to higher order consumers, including fish, birds, and humans. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1696-1710. Published 2022. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna M Kraus
- Columbia Environmental Research Center, US Geological Survey, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - JoAnn M Holloway
- Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, US Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Michael J Pribil
- Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, US Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Ben N McGee
- Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, US Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Craig A Stricker
- Fort Collins Science Center, Denver Field Station, US Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Danny L Rutherford
- Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, US Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Andrew S Todd
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Denver, Colorado, USA
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26
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Jung S, Kwon SY, Li ML, Yin R, Park J. Elucidating sources of mercury in the west coast of Korea and the Chinese marginal seas using mercury stable isotopes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 814:152598. [PMID: 34958842 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nearshore systems play an important role as mercury (Hg) sources to the open ocean and to human health via fish consumption. The nearshore system along East Asia is of particular concern given the rapid industrialization, which contributes to significant anthropogenic Hg emissions and releases. We used Hg stable isotopes to characterize Hg sources in the sediment and fish along the west coast of Korea, located at the northeast of the East China Sea. The Hg isotope ratios of the west coast sediments (δ202Hg; -0.89 to -0.27‰, Δ199Hg; -0.04 to 0.14‰) were statistically similar with other nearshore sediments (δ202Hg; -0.99 to -0.30‰, Δ199Hg; -0.04 to 0.19‰) and overlapped with the industrial Hg source end-member (δ202Hg; -0.5‰, Δ199Hg; 0.01‰) estimated from the Chinese marginal seas. Using a ternary mixing model, we estimated that industrial Hg sources contribute 83-97% in the west coast of Korea, and riverine and atmospheric Hg sources play minor roles in the Korean west coast and the Chinese marginal seas. The comparison between Hg isotope ratios of the sediment and nearshore fish revealed that the fish in the most west coast sites are exposed to MeHg produced in the sediment. At a few southwest coast sites, external MeHg produced in rivers and the open ocean water column appears to be more important as a source in fish. This is supported by much higher δ202Hg (0.74‰; similar to oceanic fish) and lower δ202Hg (-0.71‰; similar to riverine sources) compared to fish collected from other west coast sites influenced by sedimentary MeHg. The substantial Hg contributions from industrial activities suggest the national policies regulating anthropogenic Hg releases can directly mitigate human Hg exposure originating via local fish consumption. This study contributes to the growing regional and global inventories of Hg fluxes and sources exported into coastal oceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saebom Jung
- 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.
| | - Mi-Ling Li
- School of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware, 201 Robinson Hall, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Runsheng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 99 West Lincheng Road, Guiyang, Guizhou 550081, China
| | - Jaeseon Park
- Environmental Measurement & Analysis Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, 42 Hwangyong-Ro, Seo-Gu, Incheon 22689, South Korea
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27
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Lepak RF, Ogorek JM, Bartz KK, Janssen SE, Tate MT, Runsheng Y, Hurley JP, Young DB, Eagles-Smith CA, Krabbenhoft DP. Using carbon, nitrogen, and mercury isotope values to distinguish mercury sources to Alaskan lake trout. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS 2022; 9:312-319. [PMID: 35685226 PMCID: PMC9171711 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), collected from 13 remote lakes located in southwestern Alaska, were analyzed for carbon, nitrogen, and mercury (Hg) stable isotope values to assess the importance of migrating oceanic salmon, volcanic activity, and atmospheric deposition to fish Hg burden. Methylmercury (MeHg) bioaccumulation in phytoplankton (5.0 - 6.9 kg L-1) was also measured to quantify the basal uptake of MeHg to these aquatic food webs. Hg isotope values in lake trout revealed that while the extent of precipitation-delivered Hg was similar across the entire study area, volcanic Hg is likely an important additional source to lake trout in proximate lakes. In contrast, migratory salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) deliver little MeHg to lake trout directly, although indirect delivery processes via decay could exist. A high level of variability in carbon, nitrogen, and Hg isotope values indicate niche partitioning in lake trout populations within each lake and that a complex suite of ecological interactions is occurring, complicating the conceptually linear assessment of contaminant source to receiving organism. Without connecting energy and contaminant isotope axes, we would not have understood why lake trout from these pristine lakes have highly variable Hg burdens despite consistently low water Hg and comparable age-length dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan F Lepak
- Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Jacob M Ogorek
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Mercury Research Laboratory, 1 Gifford Pinchot Dr, Madison, WI 53726, USA
| | - Krista K Bartz
- National Park Service, Southwest Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network, 240 West 5 Avenue, Anchorage, AK, 99501, USA
| | - Sarah E Janssen
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Mercury Research Laboratory, 1 Gifford Pinchot Dr, Madison, WI 53726, USA
| | - Michael T Tate
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Mercury Research Laboratory, 1 Gifford Pinchot Dr, Madison, WI 53726, USA
| | - Yin Runsheng
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - James P Hurley
- Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- University of Wisconsin Aquatic Sciences Center, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Daniel B Young
- National Park Service, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, 240 West 5 Avenue, Anchorage, AK, 99501, USA
| | - Collin A Eagles-Smith
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
| | - David P Krabbenhoft
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Mercury Research Laboratory, 1 Gifford Pinchot Dr, Madison, WI 53726, USA
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Chumchal MM, Beaubien GB, Drenner RW, Hannappel MP, Mills MA, Olson CI, Otter RR, Todd AC, Walters DM. Use of Riparian Spiders as Sentinels of Persistent and Bioavailable Chemical Contaminants in Aquatic Ecosystems: A Review. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:499-514. [PMID: 35113469 PMCID: PMC9703374 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic ecosystems around the world are contaminated with a wide range of anthropogenic chemicals, including metals and organic pollutants, that originate from point and nonpoint sources. Many of these chemical contaminants have complex environmental cycles, are persistent and bioavailable, can be incorporated into aquatic food webs, and pose a threat to the health of wildlife and humans. Identifying appropriate sentinels that reflect bioavailability is critical to assessing and managing aquatic ecosystems impacted by contaminants. The objective of the present study is to review research on riparian spiders as sentinels of persistent and bioavailable chemical contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. Our review of the literature on riparian spiders as sentinels suggests that significant progress has been made during the last two decades of research. We identified 55 published studies conducted around the world in which riparian spiders (primarily of the families Tetragnathidae, Araneidae, Lycosidae, and Pisauridae) were used as sentinels of chemical contamination of lotic, lentic, and estuarine systems. For several contaminants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Hg, and Se, it is now clear that riparian spiders are appropriate sentinels. However, many contaminants and factors that could impact chemical concentrations in riparian spiders have not been well characterized. Further study of riparian spiders and their potential role as sentinels is critical because it would allow for development of national-scale programs that utilize riparian spiders as sentinels to monitor chemical contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. A riparian spider sentinel program in the United States would be complementary to existing national sentinel programs, including those for fish and immature dragonflies. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:499-514. © 2021 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gale B. Beaubien
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Ray W. Drenner
- Biology Department, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | | | - Marc A. Mills
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Connor I. Olson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Ryan R. Otter
- Department of Biology, Molecular Bioscience, Data Science Institute, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA
| | - Andrew C. Todd
- Biology Department, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - David M. Walters
- US Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri
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Naslund LC, Gerson JR, Brooks AC, Rosemond AD, Walters DM, Bernhardt ES. Ecosystem modification and network position impact insect-mediated contaminant fluxes from a mountaintop mining-impacted river network. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 291:118257. [PMID: 34600064 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic-terrestrial contaminant transport via emerging aquatic insects has been studied across contaminant classes and aquatic ecosystems, but few studies have quantified the magnitude of these insect-mediated contaminant fluxes, limiting our understanding of their drivers. Using a recent conceptual model, we identified watershed mining extent, settling ponds, and network position as potential drivers of selenium (Se) fluxes from a mountaintop coal mining-impacted river network. Mining extent drove insect Se concentration (p = 0.008, R2 = 0.406), but ponding and network position were the principal drivers of Se flux through their impact on insect production. Se fluxes were 18 times higher from ponded, mined tributaries than from unponded ones and were comparable to fluxes from larger, productive mainstem sites. Thus, contaminant fluxes were highest in the river mainstem or below ponds, indicating that without considering controls on insect production, contaminant fluxes and their associated risks for predators like birds and bats can be misestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Naslund
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, 140 E. Green St., Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
| | - Jacqueline R Gerson
- Biology Department, Duke University, 130 Science Dr., Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Alexander C Brooks
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Colorado State University, 1476 Campus Deliver, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Amy D Rosemond
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, 140 E. Green St., Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - David M Walters
- U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, 4200 East New Haven Road, Columbia, MO, 65201, USA
| | - Emily S Bernhardt
- Biology Department, Duke University, 130 Science Dr., Durham, NC, 27708, USA
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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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Li C, Xu Z, Luo K, Chen Z, Xu X, Xu C, Qiu G. Biomagnification and trophic transfer of total mercury and methylmercury in a sub-tropical montane forest food web, southwest China. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 277:130371. [PMID: 34384195 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) via food webs in terrestrial ecosystems, especially in subtropical forest ecosystems. In the present study, THg and MeHg were determined as well as the carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope composition in samples of soils, plants, invertebrates, and songbird feathers to construct food webs in a remote subtropical montane forest in Mt. Ailao, southwest China and assess the bioaccumulation, biomagnification, and trophic transfer of Hg. Results showed that the trophic levels (TLs) of all consumers ranged from 0.8 to 3.3 and followed the order of songbirds > spiders > omnivorous insects > herbivorous insects > plants, and THg and MeHg exhibited a clear biomagnification up the food chain from plants-herbivorous/omnivorous insects-spiders-songbirds. The lowest MeHg concentration was observed in pine needles ranged from 0.104 to 0.949 ng g-1 with only a 1.6% ratio of MeHg to THg (MeHg%), while the highest MeHg concentrations ranged from 425 to 5272 ng g-1 in songbirds with MeHg% values of up to 96%. High values of trophic magnification slope (TMS) for THg (0.22) and MeHg (0.38) were observed in plant-invertebrate-songbird food chain, verifying the significant bioaccumulation of Hg, particularly MeHg, in the remote subtropical forest ecosystem. This study confirmed the production and efficient biomagnification of MeHg in remote subtropical montane forest and the significant bioaccumulation of MeHg in terrestrial top predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Li
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Zhidong Xu
- 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
| | - Kang Luo
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xishuangbanna, 666303, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xishuangbanna, 666303, China; Ailaoshan Station for Subtropical Forest Ecosystem Studies, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jingdong, 676200, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China.
| | - Xiaohang Xu
- 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
| | - Chengxiang Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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Janssen SE, Hoffman JC, Lepak RF, Krabbenhoft DP, Walters D, Eagles-Smith CA, Peterson G, Ogorek JM, DeWild JF, Cotter A, Pearson M, Tate MT, Yeardley RB, Mills MA. Examining historical mercury sources in the Saint Louis River estuary: How legacy contamination influences biological mercury levels in Great Lakes coastal regions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 779:146284. [PMID: 33744580 PMCID: PMC9563104 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Industrial chemical contamination within coastal regions of the Great Lakes can pose serious risks to wetland habitat and offshore fisheries, often resulting in fish consumption advisories that directly affect human and wildlife health. Mercury (Hg) is a contaminant of concern in many of these highly urbanized and industrialized coastal regions, one of which is the Saint Louis River estuary (SLRE), the second largest tributary to Lake Superior. The SLRE has legacy Hg contamination that drives high Hg concentrations within sediments, but it is unclear whether legacy-derived Hg actively cycles within the food web. To understand the relative contributions of legacy versus contemporary Hg sources in coastal zones, Hg, carbon, and nitrogen stable isotope ratios were measured in sediments and food webs of SLRE and the Bad River, an estuarine reference site. Hg stable isotope values revealed that legacy contamination of Hg was widespread and heterogeneously distributed in sediments of SLRE, even in areas lacking industrial Hg sources. Similar isotope values were found in benthic invertebrates, riparian spiders, and prey fish from SLRE, confirming legacy Hg reaches the SLRE food web. Direct comparison of prey fish from SLRE and the Bad River confirmed that Hg isotope differences between the sites were not attributable to fractionation associated with rapid Hg bioaccumulation at estuarine mouths, but due to the presence of industrial Hg within SLRE. The Hg stable isotope values of game fish in both estuaries were dependent on fish migration and diet within the estuaries and extending into Lake Superior. These results indicate that Hg from legacy contamination is actively cycling within the SLRE food web and, through migration, this Hg also extends into Lake Superior via game fish. Understanding sources and the movement of Hg within the estuarine food web better informs restoration strategies for other impaired Great Lakes coastal zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Janssen
- U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, WI 53562, USA.
| | - Joel C Hoffman
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Ryan F Lepak
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN 55804, USA; Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 660 N. Park Street, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - David P Krabbenhoft
- U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, WI 53562, USA
| | - David Walters
- U.S. Geological Survey Columbia Environmental Research Center, 4200 New Haven Rd, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Collin A Eagles-Smith
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Greg Peterson
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Jacob M Ogorek
- U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, WI 53562, USA
| | - John F DeWild
- U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, WI 53562, USA
| | - Anne Cotter
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Mark Pearson
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Michael T Tate
- U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, WI 53562, USA
| | - Roger B Yeardley
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA
| | - Marc A Mills
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA
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Janssen SE, Patnode KA, Pluta BR, Krabbenhoft DP. Insights into Mercury Source Identification and Bioaccumulation Using Stable Isotope Approaches in the Hannibal Pool of the Ohio River, USA. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2021; 17:233-242. [PMID: 32633881 PMCID: PMC8043245 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mercury contamination in river systems due to historic and current Hg releases is a persistent concern for both wildlife and human health. In larger rivers, like the Ohio River, USA, it is difficult to directly link Hg discharges to bioaccumulation due to the existence of multiple industrial Hg sources as well as the varied dietary and migratory habits of biota. To better understand how industrial effluent influences the cycling and bioaccumulation of Hg within the Ohio River, Hg stable isotope analysis was applied to various nonbiological and biological media. High Hg concentrations in suspended particulate matter suggest this vector was the largest contributor of Hg to the water column, and distinct Hg source signatures were observed in effluent particulates from different industrial processes, such as chlor-alkali activity (δ202 Hg = -0.52‰) and coal power plant discharge (δ202 Hg = -1.39‰). Despite this distinction, average sediments (δ202 Hg = -1.00 ± 0.23‰) showed intermediate isotopic signatures that suggest the accumulation of a mixed Hg source driven by multiple industrial discharges. Biota in the system were shown to have a conserved range of δ202 Hg and estimation approaches related these signatures back to particulate matter within Hannibal Pool. Mussels were found to conserve Hg isotopes signatures independently of food web drivers and served as ideal water column indicators of bioaccumulated Hg sources. This study highlights the complexity of Hg cycling within an industrialized river and shows that an isotope tracer approach can provide insight to water column sources of Hg. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:233-242. Published 2020. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Janssen
- United States Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Middleton, Wisconsin
| | | | - Bruce R Pluta
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Hazardous Site Cleanup Division, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - David P Krabbenhoft
- United States Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Middleton, Wisconsin
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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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Li C, Sun J, Shi J, Liang H, Cao Q, Li Z, Gao Y. Mercury sources in a subterranean spontaneous combustion area. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 201:110863. [PMID: 32544749 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a toxic, persistent, and mobile contaminant. Coal spontaneous combustion are widely distributed in the world and releases a great deal of Hg. Identifying the burning coal seam is crucial for quickly extinguishing a coalfield fire. Mercury isotopes can be effective for identifying burning coal seams and beneficial for combating coal spontaneous combustion. In this study, Hg isotopic ratios of coal, topsoil, dustfall, sand, coal fire sponges (CFS), and n-topsoil (topsoil near the CFS) from coal fire area No. 9 in the Wuda coalfield were determined using multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS). Analysis of the correlation coefficients between the δ202Hg and Hg concentrations and the low-temperature ashes indicate that the higher mineral concentration in coal seam No. 9 not only increases the Hg concentration but also leads to more positive δ202Hg values compared to those for coal seam No. 10. By analyzing the Hg isotope characterizations in coal seam No. 9 and No. 10, we determined that Hg isotope characterizations can be useful for discriminating different coal seam Hg values in a coalfield. Significant mass-dependent fractionation (MDF) occur in the coal burning. The fractionation effect of burning and absorption process can play a key role in the δ202Hg more negative of ground surface samples. If Hg isotopes is added, the effect of coal-fire monitoring may be better. In addition, these finding could be used to better understand the transport and cycling of Hg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhui Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Jiacong Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jiyan Shi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Handong Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Qingyi Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Zhiwei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yu Gao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
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Tsui MTK, Blum JD, Kwon SY. Review of stable mercury isotopes in ecology and biogeochemistry. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 716:135386. [PMID: 31839301 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Due to the advent of cold vapor-multicollector-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CV-MC-ICP-MS) in the past two decades, many research groups studying mercury (Hg) biogeochemistry have integrated stable Hg isotopes into their research. Currently, >200 studies using this technique have been published and this has greatly enhanced our understanding of the Hg biogeochemical cycle beyond what Hg concentration and speciation analyses alone can provide. These studies are largely divided into two groups: (i) controlled experiments investigating fractionation of Hg isotopes and refining tools of isotopic analyses, and (ii) studies of natural variations of Hg isotopes. It is now known that Hg isotopes undergo both mass dependent fractionation (MDF; reported as the ratio of mass 202Hg to 198Hg) and mass independent fractionation (MIF), with MIF occurring at odd masses (199Hg, 201Hg) to a larger magnitude and at even masses (200Hg, 204Hg) to a much smaller magnitude. The two types of MIF are controlled by different photochemical processes. The range of isotopic variations of MDF, odd-MIF, and even-MIF are now well documented in a diverse set of environmental samples, and researchers are continuing to explore how the field of Hg isotope biogeochemistry can be further developed and taken to the next level of understanding. One application that has received considerable attention is the use of Hg isotopes to examine the environmental controls on the production and degradation of methylmercury (MeHg), the most toxic and bioaccumulative form of Hg. Since MeHg is efficiently assimilated and biomagnified along food chains, MeHg has the potential to be a robust ecological tracer. In this review, we give an updated overview of the field of Hg isotopes and focus on how Hg isotopes of MeHg can be used to address fundamental ecological questions, including energy transfer across ecosystem interfaces and as a tracer for animal movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Tsz-Ki Tsui
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA.
| | - Joel D Blum
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sae Yun Kwon
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, South Korea
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Naslund LC, Gerson JR, Brooks AC, Walters DM, Bernhardt ES. Contaminant Subsidies to Riparian Food Webs in Appalachian Streams Impacted by Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:3951-3959. [PMID: 32189492 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b05907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Selenium is highly elevated in Appalachian streams and stream organisms that receive alkaline mine drainage from mountaintop removal coal mining compared to unimpacted streams in the region. Adult aquatic insects can be important vectors of waterborne contaminants to riparian food webs, yet pathways of Se transport and exposure of riparian organisms are poorly characterized. We investigated Se concentrations in stream and riparian organisms to determine whether mining extent increased Se uptake in stream biofilms and insects and if these insects were effective Se biovectors to riparian spiders. Biofilm Se concentration increased (p = 0.006) with mining extent, reaching a maximum value of 16.5 μg/g of dw. Insect and spider Se increased with biofilm Se (p = 0.004, p = 0.003), reaching 95 and 26 μg/g of dw, respectively, in mining-impacted streams. Adult insect biomass was not related to mining extent or Se concentrations in biofilm. Even though Se concentrations in aquatic insects were significantly and positively related to mining extent, aquatic insect Se flux was not associated with mining extent because the mass of emerging insects did not change appreciably over the mining gradient. Insect and spider Se concentrations were among the highest reported in the literature, regularly exceeding the bird Se dietary risk threshold of 5 μg/g of dw. Risks of Se exposure and toxicity related to mining are thus not constrained to aquatic systems but extend to terrestrial habitats and food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Naslund
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Jacqueline R Gerson
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Alexander C Brooks
- Department of Geoscience, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521, United States
| | - David M Walters
- U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri 65201, United States
| | - Emily S Bernhardt
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
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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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Moyo S. Preliminary Estimations of Insect Mediated Transfers of Mercury and Physiologically Important Fatty Acids from Water to Land. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10010129. [PMID: 31940985 PMCID: PMC7023014 DOI: 10.3390/biom10010129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquatic insects provide an energy subsidy to riparian food webs. However, most empirical studies have considered the role of subsidies only in terms of magnitude (using biomass measurements) and quality (using physiologically important fatty acids), negating an aspect of subsidies that may affect their impact on recipient food webs: the potential of insects to transport contaminants (e.g., mercury) to terrestrial ecosystems. To this end, I used empirical data to estimate the magnitude of nutrients (using physiologically important fatty acids as a proxy) and contaminants (total mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg)) exported by insects from rivers and lacustrine systems in each continent. The results reveal that North American rivers may export more physiologically important fatty acids per unit area (93.0 ± 32.6 Kg Km-2 year-1) than other continents. Owing to the amount of variation in Hg and MeHg, there were no significant differences in MeHg and Hg among continents in lakes (Hg: 1.5 × 10-4 to 1.0 × 10-3 Kg Km-2 year-1; MeHg: 7.7 × 10-5 to 1.0 × 10-4 Kg Km-2 year-1) and rivers (Hg: 3.2 × 10-4 to 1.1 × 10-3 Kg Km-2 year-1; MeHg: 3.3 × 10-4 to 8.9 × 10-4 Kg Km-2 year-1), with rivers exporting significantly larger quantities of mercury across all continents than lakes. Globally, insect export of physiologically important fatty acids by insect was estimated to be ~43.9 × 106 Kg year-1 while MeHg was ~649.6 Kg year-1. The calculated estimates add to the growing body of literature, which suggests that emerging aquatic insects are important in supplying essential nutrients to terrestrial consumers; however, with the increase of pollutants in freshwater systems, emergent aquatic insect may also be sentinels of organic contaminants to terrestrial consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Moyo
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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40
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Rosera TJ, Janssen SE, Tate MT, Lepak RF, Ogorek JM, DeWild JF, Babiarz CL, Krabbenhoft DP, Hurley JP. Isolation of methylmercury using distillation and anion-exchange chromatography for isotopic analyses in natural matrices. Anal Bioanal Chem 2019; 412:681-690. [PMID: 31834449 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-019-02277-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The development of mercury (Hg) stable isotope measurements has enhanced the study of Hg sources and transformations in the environment. As a result of the mixing of inorganic Hg (iHg) and methylmercury (MeHg) species within organisms of the aquatic food web, understanding species-specific Hg stable isotopic compositions is of significant importance. The lack of MeHg isotope measurements is due to the analytical difficulty in the separation of the MeHg from the total Hg pool, with only a few methods having been tested over the past decade with varying degrees of success, and only a handful of environmentally relevant measurements. Here, we present a novel anion-exchange resin separation method using AG 1-X4 that further isolates MeHg from the sample matrix, following a distillation pretreatment, in order to obtain ambient MeHg stable isotopic compositions. This method avoids the use of organic reagents, does not require complex instrumentation, and is applicable across matrices. Separation tests across sediment, water, and biotic matrices showed acceptable recoveries (98 ± 5%, n = 54) and reproducible δ202Hg isotope results (2 SDs ≤ 0.15‰) down to 5 ng of MeHg. The measured MeHg pools in natural matrices, such as plankton and sediments, showed large deviations from the non-speciated total Hg measurement, indicating that there is an important isotopic shift during methylation that is not recorded by typical measurements, but is vital in order to assess sources of Hg during bioaccumulation. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tylor J Rosera
- Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.,Upper Midwest Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, WI, 53562, USA
| | - Sarah E Janssen
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, WI, 53562, USA.
| | - Michael T Tate
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, WI, 53562, USA
| | - Ryan F Lepak
- Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Jacob M Ogorek
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, WI, 53562, USA
| | - John F DeWild
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, WI, 53562, USA
| | - Christopher L Babiarz
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, WI, 53562, USA
| | - David P Krabbenhoft
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, WI, 53562, USA
| | - James P Hurley
- Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.,Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.,University of Wisconsin Aquatic Sciences Center, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
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41
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Sun T, Ma M, Wang X, Wang Y, Du H, Xiang Y, Xu Q, Xie Q, Wang D. Mercury transport, transformation and mass balance on a perspective of hydrological processes in a subtropical forest of China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 254:113065. [PMID: 31465902 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Forest ecosystem has long been suggested as a vital component in the global mercury (Hg) biogeochemical cycling. However, there remains large uncertainties in understanding total Hg (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) variations and their controlling factors during the whole hydrological processes in forest ecosystems. Here, we quantified Hg mass flow along hydrological processes of wet deposition, throughfall, stemflow, litter leachate, soil leachate, surface runoff, and stream, and litterfall Hg deposition, and air-forest floor elemental Hg (Hg0) exchange flux to set up a Hg mass balance in a subtropical forest of China. Results showed that THg concentration in stream was lower than that in wet deposition, while an opposite characteristic for MeHg concentration, and both THg and MeHg fluxes of stream were lower than those of wet deposition. Variations of THg and MeHg in throughfall and litter leachate had strong direct and indirect effects on controlling variations of THg and MeHg in surface runoff, soil leachate and stream, respectively. Especially, the net Hg methylation was suggested in the forest canopy and forest floor layers, and significant particulate bound Hg (PBM) filtration was observed in soil layers. The Hg mass balance showed that the litterfall Hg deposition was the main Hg input for forest floor Hg, and the elemental Hg vapor (Hg0) re-emission from forest floor was the dominant Hg output. Overall, we estimated the net THg input flux of 13.8 μg m-2 yr-1 and net MeHg input flux of 0.6 μg m-2 yr-1 within the forest ecosystem. Our results highlighted the important roles of forest canopy and forest floor to shape Hg in output flow, and the forest floor is a distinct sink of MeHg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Sun
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Ming Ma
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Xun Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yongmin Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Hongxia Du
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yuping Xiang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Qinqin Xu
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Qing Xie
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Dingyong Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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42
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Janssen SE, Riva-Murray K, DeWild JF, Ogorek JM, Tate MT, Van Metre PC, Krabbenhoft DP, Coles JF. Chemical and Physical Controls on Mercury Source Signatures in Stream Fish from the Northeastern United States. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:10110-10119. [PMID: 31390861 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b03394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Streams in the northeastern U.S. receive mercury (Hg) in varying proportions from atmospheric deposition and legacy point sources, making it difficult to attribute shifts in fish concentrations directly back to changes in Hg source management. Mercury stable isotope tracers were utilized to relate sources of Hg to co-located fish and bed sediments from 23 streams across a forested to urban-industrial land-use gradient within this region. Mass-dependent isotopes (δ202Hg) in prey and game fish at forested sites were depleted (medians -0.95 and -0.83 ‰, respectively) in comparison to fish from urban-industrial settings (medians -0.26 and -0.38 ‰, respectively); the forested site group also had higher prey fish Hg concentrations. The separation of Hg isotope signatures in fish was strongly related to in-stream and watershed land-use indicator variables. Fish isotopes were strongly correlated with bed sediment isotopes, but the isotopic offset between the two matrices was variable due to differing ecosystem-specific drivers controlling the extent of MeHg formation. The multivariable approach of analyzing watershed characteristics and stream chemistry reveals that the Hg isotope composition in fish is linked to current and historic Hg sources in the northeastern U.S. and can be used to trace bioaccumulated Hg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Janssen
- United States Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center , Middleton , Wisconsin 53562 , United States
| | - Karen Riva-Murray
- United States Geological Survey, New York Water Science Center , Troy , New York 12180 , United States
| | - John F DeWild
- United States Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center , Middleton , Wisconsin 53562 , United States
| | - Jacob M Ogorek
- United States Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center , Middleton , Wisconsin 53562 , United States
| | - Michael T Tate
- United States Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center , Middleton , Wisconsin 53562 , United States
| | - Peter C Van Metre
- United States Geological Survey, Texas Water Science Center Austin , Texas 78754 , United States
| | - David P Krabbenhoft
- United States Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center , Middleton , Wisconsin 53562 , United States
| | - James F Coles
- United States Geological Survey, New England Water Science Center Northborough , Massachusetts 01532 , United States
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43
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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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Kurz AY, Blum JD, Washburn SJ, Baskaran M. Changes in the mercury isotopic composition of sediments from a remote alpine lake in Wyoming, USA. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 669:973-982. [PMID: 30970464 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) deposition from the atmosphere has increased dramatically since 1850 and Hg isotope records in lake sediments can be used to identify changes in the sources and cycling of Hg. We collected a sediment core from a remote lake (Lost Lake, Wyoming, USA) and measured vertical variation of Hg concentration and isotopic composition as well as 210Pb and 137Cs activities to establish a chronology. We also analyzed vegetation and soil samples from the watershed which has a small ratio of watershed area to lake surface area (2.06). The Hg flux remains constant from ~1350 to 1850 before increasing steadily to modern values that are approximately four times pre-1850 values. The modern Hg isotopic composition preserved in the sediments is distinct from the Hg isotopic composition of pre-1850 samples with both δ202Hg and Δ199Hg becoming progressively more positive through time, with shifts of +0.37‰ and +0.23‰ respectively. To explain temporal changes in δ202Hg, Δ199Hg, and Hg concentration in the core segments, we estimated a present-day atmospheric endmember based on precipitation and snow samples collected near Lost Lake. The observed change in Hg isotopic values through time cannot be explained solely by addition of anthropogenic Hg with the isotopic composition that has been estimated by others for global anthropogenic emissions. Instead, the isotope variation suggests that the relative importance of redox transformations, whether in the atmosphere, within the lake, or both, have changed since 1850.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Y Kurz
- 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
| | - Spencer J Washburn
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Mark Baskaran
- Department of Geology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
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45
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Tsz-Ki Tsui M, Liu S, Brasso RL, Blum JD, Kwon SY, Ulus Y, Nollet YH, Balogh SJ, Eggert SL, Finlay JC. Controls of Methylmercury Bioaccumulation in Forest Floor Food Webs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:2434-2440. [PMID: 30727732 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b06053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Compared to the extensive research on aquatic ecosystems, very little is known about the sources and trophic transfer of methylmercury (MeHg) in terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, we examine energy flow and trophic structure using stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope ratios, respectively, and MeHg levels in basal resources and terrestrial invertebrates from four temperate forest ecosystems. We show that MeHg levels in biota increased significantly ( p < 0.01) with δ13C and δ15N at all sites, implying the importance of both microbially processed diets (with increased δ13C) and trophic level (with increased δ15N) at which organisms feed, on MeHg levels in forest floor biota. The trophic magnification slopes of MeHg (defined as the slope of log10MeHg vs δ15N) for these forest floor food webs (0.20-0.28) were not significantly different ( p > 0.05) from those observed for diverse temperate freshwater systems (0.24 ± 0.07; n = 78), demonstrating for the first time the nearly equivalent efficiencies with which MeHg moves up the food chain in these contrasting ecosystem types. Our results suggest that in situ production of MeHg within the forest floor and efficient biomagnification both elevate MeHg levels in carnivorous invertebrates in temperate forests, which can contribute to significant bioaccumulation of this neurotoxin in terrestrial apex predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Tsz-Ki Tsui
- Department of Biology , University of North Carolina at Greensboro , Greensboro , North Carolina 27402 , United States
| | - Songnian Liu
- Department of Biology , University of North Carolina at Greensboro , Greensboro , North Carolina 27402 , United States
| | - Rebecka L Brasso
- Department of Zoology , Weber State University , Ogden , Utah 84408 , United States
| | - Joel D Blum
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | - Sae Yun Kwon
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering , Pohang University of Science and Technology , Pohang 37673 , South Korea
| | - Yener Ulus
- Department of Biology , University of North Carolina at Greensboro , Greensboro , North Carolina 27402 , United States
| | - Yabing H Nollet
- Metropolitan Council Environmental Services , St. Paul , Minnesota 55106 , United States
| | - Steven J Balogh
- Metropolitan Council Environmental Services , St. Paul , Minnesota 55106 , United States
| | - Sue L Eggert
- U.S.D.A. Forest Service , Northern Research Station, Grand Rapids , Minnesota 55744 , United States
| | - Jacques C Finlay
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior , University of Minnesota , St. Paul , Minnesota 55108 , United States
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46
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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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47
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Yuan S, Chen J, Cai H, Yuan W, Wang Z, Huang Q, Liu Y, Wu X. Sequential samples reveal significant variation of mercury isotope ratios during single rainfall events. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 624:133-144. [PMID: 29248703 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Although the investigation of mercury (Hg) isotopes in precipitation has largely improved our knowledge of the source and transformation of Hg in the atmosphere, rainwater investigated in previous studies were integrated samples collected over an event and could obscure key information about the physiochemical transformation and deposition dynamics of Hg (and its isotopes) in short precipitation events. In this study, we investigated Hg isotopic composition of filtered (HgF) and particulate Hg (HgPM) in sequential rain samples from three single rainfall events in Guiyang, China. All samples showed a decrease of total Hg concentration, as well as HgF and HgPM with time in each rainfall event, and large variation of both mass-dependent fractionation (MDF) and mass-independent fractionation of odd Hg isotopes (odd-MIF) for both phases. Isotopic data indicated variable contributions of different sources triggered by the instant change of meteorological conditions, rather than internal atmospheric processes. The rapid response of MDF and odd-MIF of precipitation samples to the incense burning on the Tomb Sweeping Day implied that Hg isotopic composition was very sensitive to the momentary anthropogenic emission, which could have at least a regional short-lived effect and should be taken into account in future studies. Hg isotopes are a powerful tool for investigating both atmospheric transformation and instant deposition dynamic of Hg, and like stable H and O isotopes, could provide useful information about local or regional meteorological changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengliu Yuan
- State Key laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 99 Linchengxi Road, Guiyang, Guizhou 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiubin Chen
- State Key laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 99 Linchengxi Road, Guiyang, Guizhou 550081, China.
| | - Hongming Cai
- State Key laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 99 Linchengxi Road, Guiyang, Guizhou 550081, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- State Key laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 99 Linchengxi Road, Guiyang, Guizhou 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhongwei Wang
- State Key laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 99 Linchengxi Road, Guiyang, Guizhou 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qiang Huang
- State Key laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 99 Linchengxi Road, Guiyang, Guizhou 550081, China
| | - Yujie Liu
- State Key laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 99 Linchengxi Road, Guiyang, Guizhou 550081, China
| | - Xingyang Wu
- Meteorological Information Center of Guizhou, Guiyang 550002, China
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48
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Li T, Wang Y, Mao H, Wang S, Talbot RW, Zhou Y, Wang Z, Nie X, Qie G. Insights on Chemistry of Mercury Species in Clouds over Northern China: Complexation and Adsorption. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:5125-5134. [PMID: 29630344 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b06669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Cloud effects on heterogeneous reactions of atmospheric mercury (Hg) are poorly understood due to limited knowledge of cloudwater Hg chemistry. Here we quantified Hg species in cloudwater at the summit of Mt. Tai in northern China. Total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in cloudwater were on average 70.5 and 0.15 ng L-1, respectively, and particulate Hg (PHg) contributed two-thirds of THg. Chemical equilibrium modeling simulations suggested that Hg complexes by dissolved organic matter (DOM) dominated dissolved Hg (DHg) speciation, which was highly pH dependent. Hg concentrations and speciation were altered by cloud processing, during which significant positive correlations of PHg and MeHg with cloud droplet number concentration ( Nd) were observed. Unlike direct contribution to PHg from cloud scavenging of aerosol particles, abiotic DHg methylation was the most likely source of MeHg. Hg adsorption coefficients Kad (5.9-362.7 L g-1) exhibited an inverse-power relationship with cloud residues content. Morphology analyses indicated that compared to mineral particles, fly ash particles could enhance Hg adsorption due to more abundant carbon binding sites on the surface. Severe particulate air pollution in northern China may bring substantial Hg into cloud droplets and impact atmospheric Hg geochemical cycling by aerosol-cloud interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering , Shandong University , Jinan 250100 , China
| | - Yan Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering , Shandong University , Jinan 250100 , China
| | - Huiting Mao
- Department of Chemistry, College of Environmental Science and Forestry , State University of New York , Syracuse , New York 13210 , United States
| | - Shuxiao Wang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex and State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , China
| | - Robert W Talbot
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Science , University of Houston , Houston , Texas 77204 , United States
| | - Ying Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, College of Environmental Science and Forestry , State University of New York , Syracuse , New York 13210 , United States
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hong Kong , China
| | - Xiaoling Nie
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering , Shandong University , Jinan 250100 , China
| | - Guanghao Qie
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering , Shandong University , Jinan 250100 , China
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49
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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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50
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Obrist D, Kirk JL, Zhang L, Sunderland EM, Jiskra M, Selin NE. A review of global environmental mercury processes in response to human and natural perturbations: Changes of emissions, climate, and land use. AMBIO 2018; 47:116-140. [PMID: 29388126 PMCID: PMC5794683 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-017-1004-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 355] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
We review recent progress in our understanding of the global cycling of mercury (Hg), including best estimates of Hg concentrations and pool sizes in major environmental compartments and exchange processes within and between these reservoirs. Recent advances include the availability of new global datasets covering areas of the world where environmental Hg data were previously lacking; integration of these data into global and regional models is continually improving estimates of global Hg cycling. New analytical techniques, such as Hg stable isotope characterization, provide novel constraints of sources and transformation processes. The major global Hg reservoirs that are, and continue to be, affected by anthropogenic activities include the atmosphere (4.4-5.3 Gt), terrestrial environments (particularly soils: 250-1000 Gg), and aquatic ecosystems (e.g., oceans: 270-450 Gg). Declines in anthropogenic Hg emissions between 1990 and 2010 have led to declines in atmospheric Hg0 concentrations and HgII wet deposition in Europe and the US (- 1.5 to - 2.2% per year). Smaller atmospheric Hg0 declines (- 0.2% per year) have been reported in high northern latitudes, but not in the southern hemisphere, while increasing atmospheric Hg loads are still reported in East Asia. New observations and updated models now suggest high concentrations of oxidized HgII in the tropical and subtropical free troposphere where deep convection can scavenge these HgII reservoirs. As a result, up to 50% of total global wet HgII deposition has been predicted to occur to tropical oceans. Ocean Hg0 evasion is a large source of present-day atmospheric Hg (approximately 2900 Mg/year; range 1900-4200 Mg/year). Enhanced seawater Hg0 levels suggest enhanced Hg0 ocean evasion in the intertropical convergence zone, which may be linked to high HgII deposition. Estimates of gaseous Hg0 emissions to the atmosphere over land, long considered a critical Hg source, have been revised downward, and most terrestrial environments now are considered net sinks of atmospheric Hg due to substantial Hg uptake by plants. Litterfall deposition by plants is now estimated at 1020-1230 Mg/year globally. Stable isotope analysis and direct flux measurements provide evidence that in many ecosystems Hg0 deposition via plant inputs dominates, accounting for 57-94% of Hg in soils. Of global aquatic Hg releases, around 50% are estimated to occur in China and India, where Hg drains into the West Pacific and North Indian Oceans. A first inventory of global freshwater Hg suggests that inland freshwater Hg releases may be dominated by artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM; approximately 880 Mg/year), industrial and wastewater releases (220 Mg/year), and terrestrial mobilization (170-300 Mg/year). For pelagic ocean regions, the dominant source of Hg is atmospheric deposition; an exception is the Arctic Ocean, where riverine and coastal erosion is likely the dominant source. Ocean water Hg concentrations in the North Atlantic appear to have declined during the last several decades but have increased since the mid-1980s in the Pacific due to enhanced atmospheric deposition from the Asian continent. Finally, we provide examples of ongoing and anticipated changes in Hg cycling due to emission, climate, and land use changes. It is anticipated that future emissions changes will be strongly dependent on ASGM, as well as energy use scenarios and technology requirements implemented under the Minamata Convention. We predict that land use and climate change impacts on Hg cycling will be large and inherently linked to changes in ecosystem function and global atmospheric and ocean circulations. Our ability to predict multiple and simultaneous changes in future Hg global cycling and human exposure is rapidly developing but requires further enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Obrist
- Department of Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, One University Ave, Lowell, MA 01854 USA
| | - Jane L. Kirk
- Environment and Climate Change, Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON L7P 2X3 Canada
| | - Lei Zhang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing, 210023 Jiangsu China
| | - Elsie M. Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
| | - Martin Jiskra
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse, GET-CNRS, CNRS – OMP, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Noelle E. Selin
- Institute for Data, Systems, and Society and Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
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