Evidence for regulation of monomethyl mercury by nitrate in a seasonally stratified, eutrophic lake.

摘要: The accumulation of monomethyl mercury (CH 3 Hg + ) in aquatic ecosystems is a redox sensitive process that accelerated under sulfate-reducing conditions. While nitrate (NO - reduction energetically favored over sulfate reduction, the influence NO on CH has not been reported literature. We examined temporal and vertical patterns constituents concentrations hypolimnion dimictic lake, Onondaga Lake, prior to following increases inputs. Detailed water-column profiles long-term record revealed marked decreases anoxic coinciding with deposition organic matter coupled recent concentrations. were substantially abated when was present above sediment—water interface. A decrease peak hypolimnetic mass shortening ofthe period elevated resulted more than 50% decline accumulated . NO3 regulation may be widespread phenomenon oxygen-limited freshwater terrestrial environments, could have an important, previously recognized, effect biogeochemistry mercury.