Open AccessGlobal warming accelerates uptake of atmospheric mercury in regions experiencing glacier retreat
Author(s) -
Xun Wang,
Ji Luo,
Wei Yuan,
CheJen Lin,
Fei Wang,
Chen Liu,
Genxu Wang,
Xinbin Feng
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.1906930117
Subject(s) - glacier , environmental science , global warming , ecosystem , mercury (programming language) , climate change , atmospheric sciences , physical geography , climatology , geology , oceanography , ecology , geography , programming language , biology , computer science
Significance In this study, we identify a process that recaptures atmospheric Hg in glacier-retreated areas driven by global warming. Melting of glaciers is known to release Hg originally locked in ice into the atmosphere and downstream ecosystems. Recession of glaciers promotes rapid establishment of vegetative ecosystems that capture more atmospheric Hg over the long run than the Hg released from glacier melting. The increased vegetative biomass driven by climate change can result in significant changes in global Hg cycling.
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