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Ecosystem Controls on Methylmercury Production by Periphyton Biofilms in a Contaminated Stream: Implications for Predictive Modeling

Journal Article · · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.4551· OSTI ID:1605912
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Environmental Sciences Division
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Periphyton biofilms produce a substantial fraction of the overall monomethylmercury (MMHg) flux in East Fork Poplar Creek, an industrially contaminated, freshwater creek in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. We examined periphyton MMHg production across seasons, locations, and light conditions using mercury stable isotopes. Methylation and demethylation rate potentials ($$k_{m, trans av}$$ and $$k_{d, trans av}$$, respectively) were calculated using a transient availability kinetic model. Light exposure and season were significant predictors of $$k_{m, trans av}$$, with greater values in full light exposure and in the summer. Season, light exposure, and location were significant predictors of $$k_{d, trans av}$$, which was highest in dark conditions, in the spring, and at the upstream location. Light exposure was the controlling factor for net MMHg production, with positive production for periphyton grown under full light exposure and net demethylation for periphyton grown in the dark. Ambient MMHg and km, trans av were significantly correlated. Transient availability rate potentials were 15 times higher for km and 9 times higher for kd compared to full availability rate potentials ($$k_{m, full av}$$ and $$k_{d, full av}$$) calculated at 1 d. No significant model for the prediction of $$k_{m, full av}$$ and $$k_{d, full av}$$ could be constructed using light, season, and location. In addition, there were no significant differences among treatments for the full availability $$k_{m, full av}$$ and $$k_{d, full av}$$, or net MMHg calculated using the full availability rate potentials. km, full av was not correlated with ambient MMHg concentrations. The present results underscore the importance of applying transient availability kinetics to MMHg production data when estimating MMHg production potential and flux.
Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1605912
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1607162
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA--147041
Journal Information:
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 38; ISSN 0730-7268
Publisher:
SETACCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Figures / Tables (6)

Table 1(p. 28)table Table 1
Figure 1(p. 30)figure Figure 1
Figure 2(p. 31)figure Figure 2
Figure 3(p. 32)figure Figure 3
Figure 4(p. 33)figure Figure 4
Figure 5(p. 33)figure Figure 5

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Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Kinetics
Methylmercury
Periphyton