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Influence of Eutrophication on the Distribution of Total Mercury and Methylmercury in Hydroelectric Reservoirs
Author(s) -
Meng Bo,
Feng X. B.,
Chen C. X.,
Qiu G. L.,
Sommar J.,
Guo Y. N.,
Liang P.,
Wan Q.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2009.0440
Subject(s) - methylmercury , mercury (programming language) , environmental chemistry , eutrophication , environmental science , surface water , chemistry , hydrology (agriculture) , environmental engineering , nutrient , geology , bioaccumulation , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , computer science , programming language
The distribution of mercury (Hg) and the characteristics of its methylation were investigated in Wujiangdu (WJD) and Yinzidu (YZD) reservoirs in Guizhou province, China. The two reservoirs are characterized by high and low levels of primary productivity, respectively. Mercury species in water samples from depth profiles in both reservoirs and from interface water in the WJD were analyzed each season during 2007. The concentrations of total Hg (HgT unf ) and methylmercury (MeHgT unf ) in unfiltered water samples from the WJD varied from 3.0 to 18 pmol dm −3 and from 0.17 to 15 pmol dm −3 , respectively; ranges were 2.0 to 9.5 pmol dm −3 for HgT unf and 0.14 to 2.2 pmol dm −3 for MeHgT unf in the YZD. Elevated methylmercury concentrations in water samples from the bottom water and water–sediment interface demonstrated an active net Hg methylation in the downstream reach of the WJD. There was no discernable Hg methylation occurring in the YZD, nor in the upstream and middle reaches of the WJD. The results suggest that high primary productivity resulting from cage aquaculture activities in the WJD is an important control on Hg methylation in the reservoir, increasing the concentrations of MeHg in water in the Wujiang River basin, southwestern China.