| 1. |
- Abeysinghe, Kasun S., et al.
(författare)
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Mercury flow through an Asian rice-based food web
- 2017
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Ingår i: Environmental Pollution. - : ELSEVIER SCI LTD. - 0269-7491 .- 1873-6424. ; 229, s. 219-228
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mercury (Hg) is a globally-distributed pollutant, toxic to humans and animals. Emissions are particularly high in Asia, and the source of exposure for humans there may also be different from other regions, including rice as well as fish consumption, particularly in contaminated areas. Yet the threats Asian wildlife face in rice-based ecosystems are as yet unclear. We sought to understand how Hg flows through rice-based food webs in historic mining and non-mining regions of Guizhou, China. We measured total Hg (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in soil, rice, 38 animal species (27 for MeHg) spanning multiple trophic levels, and examined the relationship between stable isotopes and Hg concentrations. Our results confirm biomagnification of THg/MeHg, with a high trophic magnification slope. Invertivorous songbirds had concentrations of THg in their feathers that were 15x and 3x the concentration reported to significantly impair reproduction, at mining and non-mining sites, respectively. High concentrations in specialist rice consumers and in granivorous birds, the later as high as in piscivorous birds,, suggest rice is a primary source of exposure. Spiders had the highest THg concentrations among invertebrates and may represent a vector through which Hg is passed to vertebrates, especially songbirds. Our findings suggest there could be significant population level health effects and consequent biodiversity loss in sensitive ecosystems, like agricultural wetlands, across Asia, and invertivorous songbirds would be good subjects for further studies investigating this possibility.
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| 2. |
- Abeysinghe, Kasun S., et al.
(författare)
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Total mercury and methylmercury concentrations over a gradient of contamination in earthworms living in rice paddy soil
- 2017
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Ingår i: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. - : Wiley. - 0730-7268 .- 1552-8618. ; 36:5, s. 1202-1210
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mercury (Hg) deposited from emissions or from local contamination, can have serious health effects on humans and wildlife. Traditionally, Hg has been seen as a threat to aquatic wildlife, because of its conversion in suboxic conditions into bioavailable methylmercury (MeHg), but it can also threaten contaminated terrestrial ecosystems. In Asia, rice paddies in particular may be sensitive ecosystems. Earthworms are soil-dwelling organisms that have been used as indicators of Hg bioavailability; however, the MeHg concentrations they accumulate in rice paddy environments are not well known. Earthworm and soil samples were collected from rice paddies at progressive distances from abandoned mercury mines in Guizhou, China, and at control sites without a history of Hg mining. Total Hg (THg) and MeHg concentrations declined in soil and earthworms as distance increased from the mines, but the percentage of THg that was MeHg, and the bioaccumulation factors in earthworms, increased over this gradient. This escalation in methylation and the incursion of MeHg into earthworms may be influenced by more acidic soil conditions and higher organic content further from the mines. In areas where the source of Hg is deposition, especially in water-logged and acidic rice paddy soil, earthworms may biomagnify MeHg more than was previously reported. It is emphasized that rice paddy environments affected by acidifying deposition may be widely dispersed throughout Asia.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Feng, Xinbin, et al.
(författare)
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Modified on-line monitoring of total gaseous mercury in flue gases using a Semtech 2000 Analyzer
- 2000
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Ingår i: Fresenius Journal of Analytical Chemistry. - 0937-0633. ; 368:5, s. 528-533
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Semtech Hg 2000 analyzer continuously monitors the Hg0 content in flue gas. An on-line measurement method of total gaseous mercury in flue gas developed in our laboratory is described, which uses the absorption cell of the Semtech Hg Analyzer connected to a converter that is located in a furnace heated up to 650 °C. The converter can be heated up to 800 °C by both the furnace and an extra heating of a Ni-Cr alloy heating wire. Both the absorption cell and the converter are made of quartz. All gaseous Hg2+ species in flue gas are thermally reduced to Hg0 by the converter and detected by the Semtech Hg 2000 analyzer. The thermal reduction efficiencies of different conversion materials, which were filled in the converter, such as quartz chips, granular MgO, Ni and CoO powder, were tested using different flue gas conditions. Studies have shown that HCl is the major factor to inhibit the thermal reduction of Hg2+ to Hg0, and in the converter and the absorption cell Hg0 will react readily with HCl to form HgCl2. Both MgO and Ni could be used in the converter to absorb HCl in the flue gas, but Ni has better absorption efficiency. By using an original Semtech and a modified one, both Hg0 and total gaseous Hg contents in flue gas could be monitored simultaneously and continuously.
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| 5. |
- Feng, Xinbin, et al.
(författare)
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On-line speciation of mercury in flue gas
- 1999
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Ingår i: Book of Abstract. 5th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1999.
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 6. |
- Feng, Xinbin, et al.
(författare)
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On-line Speciation of Mercury in the Flue Gases
- 1999
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Ingår i: Proceedings of A&WM Mercury in the Environment Specialty Conference, Air & Waste Management Association, Minneapolis, MN. USA.
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Gårdfeldt, Katarina, 1959, et al.
(författare)
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Oxidation of atomic mercury by hydroxyl radicals and photoinduced decomposition of methylmercury species in the aqueous phase
- 2001
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Ingår i: Atmospheric Environment. - 1352-2310 .- 1873-2844. ; 35:17, s. 3039-3047
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The rate constant for Hg0+.OH, kHg0+.OH=(2.4±0.3)×109 M−1 s−1, in the aqueous phase was determined using a relative rate technique with methyl mercury as reference compound. The .OH initiated mercury reaction proceeds via the molecular Hg(I) radical which is oxidised to Hg(II) by dissolved O2. The reaction can be of importance under certain atmospheric circumstances, such as when the aqueous phase capacity of forming OH radicals is significant and the gas phase concentration of ozone drops. The same end product, i.e. Hg(II) was observed from the photodegradation of methylmercury hydroxide. In this case, molecular Hg(I) radicals are again likely to be formed after photodegradation of the Hg–C bond with subsequent oxidation. A lifetime of 230 h of methylmercury at outdoor conditions was estimated due to this reaction. The action of .OH on methylmercury species also involves breaking of organometallic bonds and formation of Hg(II). Speciation of these reaction products from methylmercury is important for the estimation of biogeochemical cycling of mercury.
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| 9. |
- Hsu-Kim, Heileen, et al.
(författare)
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Challenges and opportunities for managing aquatic mercury pollution in altered landscapes
- 2018
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Ingår i: Ambio. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-7447 .- 1654-7209. ; 47:2, s. 141-169
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The environmental cycling of mercury (Hg) can be affected by natural and anthropogenic perturbations. Of particular concern is how these disruptions increase mobilization of Hg from sites and alter the formation of monomethylmercury (MeHg), a bioaccumulative form of Hg for humans and wildlife. The scientific community has made significant advances in recent years in understanding the processes contributing to the risk of MeHg in the environment. The objective of this paper is to synthesize the scientific understanding of how Hg cycling in the aquatic environment is influenced by landscape perturbations at the local scale, perturbations that include watershed loadings, deforestation, reservoir and wetland creation, rice production, urbanization, mining and industrial point source pollution, and remediation. We focus on the major challenges associated with each type of alteration, as well as management opportunities that could lessen both MeHg levels in biota and exposure to humans. For example, our understanding of approximate response times to changes in Hg inputs from various sources or landscape alterations could lead to policies that prioritize the avoidance of certain activities in the most vulnerable systems and sequestration of Hg in deep soil and sediment pools. The remediation of Hg pollution from historical mining and other industries is shifting towards in situ technologies that could be less disruptive and less costly than conventional approaches. Contemporary artisanal gold mining has well-documented impacts with respect to Hg; however, significant social and political challenges remain in implementing effective policies to minimize Hg use. Much remains to be learned as we strive towards the meaningful application of our understanding for stakeholders, including communities living near Hg-polluted sites, environmental policy makers, and scientists and engineers tasked with developing watershed management solutions. Site-specific assessments of MeHg exposure risk will require new methods to predict the impacts of anthropogenic perturbations and an understanding of the complexity of Hg cycling at the local scale.
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| 10. |
- Hu, Haiyan, et al.
(författare)
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Shifts in mercury methylation across a peatland chronosequence : From sulfate reduction to methanogenesis and syntrophy
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Hazardous Materials. - : Elsevier. - 0304-3894 .- 1873-3336. ; 387
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Peatlands are globally important ecosystems where inorganic mercury is converted to bioaccumulating and highly toxic methylmercury, resulting in high risks of methylmercury exposure in adjacent aquatic ecosystems. Although biological mercury methylation has been known for decades, there is still a lack of knowledge about the organisms involved in mercury methylation and the drivers controlling their methylating capacity. In order to investigate the metabolisms responsible for mercury methylation and methylmercury degradation as well as the controls of both processes, we studied a chronosequence of boreal peatlands covering fundamentally different biogeochemical conditions. Potential mercury methylation rates decreased with peatland age, being up to 53 times higher in the youngest peatland compared to the oldest. Methylation in young mires was driven by sulfate reduction, while methanogenic and syntrophic metabolisms became more important in older systems. Demethylation rates were also highest in young wetlands, with a gradual shift from biotic to abiotic methylmercury degradation along the chronosequence. Our findings reveal how metabolic shifts drive mercury methylation and its ratio to demethylation as peatlands age.
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| 11. |
- Lian, Ming, et al.
(författare)
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Lidar mapping of atmospheric atomic mercury in the Wanshan area, China
- 2018
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Ingår i: Environmental Pollution. - : Elsevier BV. - 0269-7491. ; 240, s. 353-358
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A novel mobile laser radar system was used for mapping gaseous atomic mercury (Hg0) atmospheric pollution in the Wanshan district, south of Tongren City, Guizhou Province, China. This area is heavily impacted by legacy mercury from now abandoned mining activities. Differential absorption lidar measurements were supplemented by localized point monitoring using a Lumex RA-915M Zeeman modulation mercury analyzer. Range-resolved concentration measurements in different directions were performed. Concentrations in the lower atmospheric layers often exceeded levels of 100 ng/m3 for March conditions with temperature ranging from 5 °C to 20 °C. A flux measurement of Hg0 over a vertical cross section of 0.12 km2 resulted in about 29 g/h. Vertical lidar sounding at night revealed quickly falling Hg0 concentrations with height. This is the first lidar mapping demonstration in a heavily mercury-polluted area in China, illustrating the lidar potential in complementing point monitors.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Sommar, Jonas, 1969, et al.
(författare)
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A kinetic study of the gas-phase reaction between the hydroxylradical and atomic mercury
- 2001
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Ingår i: Atmos.Environ. - 1352-2310 .- 1873-2844. ; 35:17, s. 3049-3054
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The atom is the dominating species of mercury in the atmosphere. Its oxidation processes are of great interest since it is mainly oxidised mercury that undergoes deposition and thereby spreads into the ecosystems and becomes bioaccumulated. The kinetics of the gas-phase reaction between atomic mercury and hydroxyl radical has been determined at room temperature and atmospheric pressure of air by relative rate technique. OH radicals were produced by photolysis employing methyl nitrite. By using cyclohexane as the reference compound, the rate coefficient obtained was k(Hg0+·OH)=(8.7±2.8)×10−14 cm3 s−1 leading to natural lifetimes of mercury at global mean conditions of 4–7 month due to this reaction.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Sommar, Jonas, et al.
(författare)
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Seasonal variations in metallic mercury (Hg0) vapor exchange overbiannual wheat–corn rotation cropland in the North China Plain
- 2016
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Ingår i: Biogeosciences. - : European Geosciences Union (EGU). - 1726-4170 .- 1726-4189. ; 13:7, s. 2029-2049
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Air surface gas exchange of Hg-0 was measured in five approximately bi-weekly campaigns (in total 87 days) over a wheat corn rotation cropland located on the North China Plain (NCP) using the relaxed eddy accumulation (REA) technique. The campaigns were separated over the duration of a full-year period (2012-2013) aiming to capture the flux pattern over essential growing stages of the planting system with a low homogeneous topsoil Hg content (similar to 45 ng g(-1)). Contrasting pollution regimes influenced air masses at the site and corresponding Hg-0 concentration means (3.3 in late summer to 6.2 ng m(-3) in winter) were unanimously above the typical hemispheric background of 1.5-1.7 ng m(-3) during the campaigns. Extreme values in bi-directional net Hg-0 exchange were primarily observed during episodes of peaking Hg-0 concentrations. In tandem with under-canopy chamber measurements, the above-canopy REA measurements provided evidence for a balance between Hg-0 ground emissions and uptake of Hg-0 by the developed canopies. During the wheat growing season covering similar to 2 / 3 of the year at the site, net field-scale Hg emission prevailed for periods of active plant growth until canopy senescence (mean flux: 20.0 ng m(-3)), showing the dominance of Hg soil efflux during warmer seasons. In the final vegetative stage of corn and wheat, ground and above canopy Hg flux displayed inversed daytime courses with a near mid-day maximum (emission) and minimum (deposition), respectively. In contrast to wheat, Hg uptake of the corn canopy at this stage offset ground Hg emissions with additional removal of Hg from the atmosphere. Differential uptake of Hg between wheat (C-3 species) and corn (C-4 species) foliage is discernible from estimated Hg flux (per leaf area) and Hg content in mature cereal leaves, being a factor of >3 higher for wheat (at 120 ng g(-1) dry weight). Furthermore, this study shows that intermittent flood irrigation of the air-dry field induced a short pulse of Hg emission due to displacement of Hg present in the surface soil horizon. A more lingering effect of flood irrigation is however suppressed Hg soil emissions, which for wet soil (similar to 30 % vol) beneath the corn canopy was on average a factor of similar to 3 lower than that for drier soil (<10 % vol) within wheat stands Extrapolation of the campaign Hg flux data (mean: 7.1 ng m(-2) h(-1)) to the whole year suggests the wheat corn rotation cropland to be a net source of atmospheric Hg. The observed magnitude of annual wet deposition flux (similar to 8.8 mu g Hg m(-2)) accounted for a minor fraction of soil Hg evasion flux prevailing over the majority of the year. Therefore, we suggest that dry deposition of other forms of airborne Hg-0 constitutes the dominant pathway of Hg-0 input to this local ecosystem and that these deposited forms would be gradually transformed and re-emitted as Hg-0 rather than being sequestered here. In addition, after crop harvesting, the practice of burning agricultural residue with considerable Hg content rather than straw return management yields seasonally substantial atmospheric Hg-0 emissions from croplands in the NCP region.
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| 16. |
- Xu, Xiaohang, et al.
(författare)
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The local impact of a coal-fired power plant on inorganic mercury and methyl-mercury distribution in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
- 2017
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Ingår i: Environmental Pollution. - : Elsevier BV. - 0269-7491 .- 1873-6424. ; 223, s. 11-18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Emission from coal-fired power plants is one of the major anthropogenic sources of mercury (Hg) in the environment, because emitted Hg can be quickly deposited nearby the source, attention is paid to the effects of coal-burning facilities on levels of toxic methyl-mercury (MeHg) in biota near such sources. Since rice is an agricultural crop that can bio-accumulate MeHg, the potential effects of a large Hg emitting coal-fired power plant in Hunan Province, China on both inorganic Hg (Hg(II)) and MeHg distributions in rice was investigated. Relatively high MeHg (up to 3.8 mu g kg(-1)) and Hg(II) (up to 22 mu g kg(-1)) concentrations were observed in rice samples collected adjacent to the plant, suggesting a potential impact of Hg emission from the coal fired power plant on the accumulation of Hg in rice in the area. Concentrations of MeHg in rice were positively correlated with soil MeHg, soil S, and gaseous elemental Hg (GEM) in ambient air. Soil MeHg was the most important factor controlling MeHg concentrations in rice. The methylation of Hg in soils may be controlled by factors such as the chemical speciation of inorganic Hg, soil S, and ambient GEM.
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| 17. |
- Zhu, Wei, et al.
(författare)
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Global observations and modeling of atmosphere-surface exchange of elemental mercury : a critical review
- 2016
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Ingår i: Atmospheric Chemistry And Physics. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 1680-7316 .- 1680-7324. ; 16:7, s. 4451-4480
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Reliable quantification of air-surface fluxes of elemental Hg vapor (Hg-0) is crucial for understanding mercury (Hg) global biogeochemical cycles. There have been extensive measurements and modeling efforts devoted to estimating the exchange fluxes between the atmosphere and various surfaces (e.g., soil, canopies, water, snow, etc.) in the past three decades. However, large uncertainties remain due to the complexity of Hg-0 bidirectional exchange, limitations of flux quantification techniques and challenges in model parameterization. In this study, we provide a critical review on the state of science in the atmosphere-surface exchange of Hg-0. Specifically, the advancement of flux quantification techniques, mechanisms in driving the air-surface Hg exchange and modeling efforts are presented. Due to the semi-volatile nature of Hg-0 and redox transformation of Hg in environmental media, Hg deposition and evasion are influenced by multiple environmental variables including seasonality, vegetative coverage and its life cycle, temperature, light, moisture, atmospheric turbulence and the presence of reactants (e.g., O-3, radicals, etc.). However, the effects of these processes on flux have not been fundamentally and quantitatively determined, which limits the accuracy of flux modeling. We compile an up-to-date global observational flux database and discuss the implication of flux data on the global Hg budget. Mean Hg-0 fluxes obtained by micrometeorological measurements do not appear to be significantly greater than the fluxes measured by dynamic flux chamber methods over unpolluted surfaces (p = 0.16, one-tailed, Mann-Whitney U test). The spatiotemporal coverage of existing Hg-0 flux measurements is highly heterogeneous with large data gaps existing in multiple continents (Africa, South Asia, Middle East, South America and Australia). The magnitude of the evasion flux is strongly enhanced by human activities, particularly at contaminated sites. Hg-0 flux observations in East Asia are comparatively larger in magnitude than the rest of the world, suggesting substantial re-emission of previously deposited mercury from anthropogenic sources. The Hg-0 exchange over pristine surfaces (e.g., background soil and water) and vegetation needs better constraints for global analyses of the atmospheric Hg budget. The existing knowledge gap and the associated research needs for future measurements and modeling efforts for the air-surface exchange of Hg-0 are discussed.
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