Mercury methylation and methylmercury demethylation in boreal lake sediment with legacy sulphate pollution
Haiyong Huang, Vaughn Mangal, Michael D. Rennie, Huan Tong, Myrna J. Simpson, Carl P. J. Mitchell
Abstract
only in sulphate-impacted sediment, but methylation was not entirely depressed. Methylmercury demethylation potentials in sediment were consistent across lakes and experimental treatments, except for some impacts related to SRB inhibitor additions in the reference lake sediment. Overall, a broader community of microbes beyond SRB may be methylating Hg and demethylating MeHg in this system. This study reveals that legacies of sulphate pollution in boreal lakes may persist for decades in stimulating elevated Hg methylation in sediment.
Topics & Concepts
MethylmercurySedimentEnvironmental chemistryDemethylationAquatic ecosystemPollutionEnvironmental scienceMercury (programming language)EutrophicationOrganic matterHydrology (agriculture)EcologyChemistryNutrientGeologyBioaccumulationBiologyDNA methylationComputer scienceProgramming languagePaleontologyGeneBiochemistryGeotechnical engineeringGene expressionMercury impact and mitigation studiesMarine animal studies overviewToxic Organic Pollutants Impact