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Ph affects mercury distribution, not methylation

Journal Article · · Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf.; (United States)
Mechanisms by which water pH affects mercury distribution are surveyed. Changing values of the pH in natural sediment-water systems did not affect the total amount of methylmercury generated in sediments. Partition of methylmercury between water and sediment did change the total amount; the amount of methylmercury in the water column doubled, decreasing pH by 1.0-2.0 units. This change is enough to explain the observed elevations in mercury levels in fish taken from lakes of low pH. (2 graphs, 7 references, 2 tables)
Research Organization:
Canada Natl Research Council, Ottawa; Inst of Public Health, Japan
OSTI ID:
5569096
Journal Information:
Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf.; (United States), Journal Name: Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf.; (United States) Vol. 3:1; ISSN EESAD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English