Effect of organic matter concentration and characteristics on mercury mobilization and methylmercury production at an abandoned mine site.

ABSTRACT: Thousands of abandoned mines throughout the western region of North America contain elevated total-mercury (THg) concentrations. Mercury is mobilized from these sites primarily due to erosion of particulate-bound Hg (THg-P). Organic matter-based soil amendments can promote vegetation growth on mine tailings, reducing erosion and subsequent loading of THg-P into downstream waterbodies. However, the introduction of a labile carbon source may stimulate microbial activity that can produce methylmercury (MeHg)-the more toxic and bioaccumulative form of Hg. Our objectives were to investigate how additions of different organic matter substrates impact Hg mobilization and methylation using a combination of field observations and controlled experiments. Field measurements of water, sediment, and po

SUBMITTER: Eckley CS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7903515 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature