Methylmercury Production and Degradation under Light and Dark Conditions in the Water Column of the Hells Canyon Reservoirs, USA.

ABSTRACT: Methylmercury (MeHg) is a highly toxic form of mercury that can bioaccumulate in fish tissue. Methylmercury is produced by anaerobic bacteria, many of which are also capable of MeHg degradation. In addition, demethylation in surface waters can occur via abiotic sunlight-mediated processes. The goal of the present study was to understand the relative importance of microbial Hg methylation/demethylation and abiotic photodemethylation that govern the mass of MeHg within an aquatic system. The study location was the Hells Canyon complex of 3 reservoirs on the Idaho-Oregon border, USA, that has fish consumption advisories as a result of elevated MeHg concentrations. Our study utilized stable isotope addition experiments to trace MeHg formation and degradation within the water column of the rese

SUBMITTER: Eckley CS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8745031 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature