The biogeochemistry of an ombrotrophic bog: Evaluation of use as an archive of atmospheric mercury deposition

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998 · Environmental Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1006/enrs.1998.3850· OSTI ID:655435

Benoit, J M; Fitzgerald, W F ^[1]; Damman, A W.H. ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Connecticut, Groton, CT (United States). Dept. of Marine Sciences
2. Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs, CT (United States). Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

The utility of ombrotrophic bogs as archives of atmospheric mercury deposition was assessed with an investigation in Arlberg Bog, Minnesota, US. Since the use of ombrotrophic bogs as archives depends on the immobility of deposited trace metals, the authors examined the postdepositional transport processes revealed by the solid-phase distributions of mercury and ancillary metals in this bog. They modeled metal speciation in bog pore-waters as a function of pe in order to understand metal behavior in ombrotrophic peat. Specifically, they considered the effect of water movement and resultant shifts in redox potential gradients on metal retention. The results indicate that Hg and Pb are immobile in ombrotrophic peat, so their distribution can be used to determine temporal changes in deposition. To substantiate the deposition estimates determined in this study, they emphasized the importance of confirming the validity of the dating scheme, assessing the degree of horizontal homogeneity in the accumulation record, and providing evidence for retention of Hg based on geochemical modeling. As recorded in Arlberg Bog, historic atmospheric Hg deposition increased gradually after the mid-1800s, peaked between 1950 and 1960, and may have declined thereafter. Preindustrial deposition was about 4 {micro}g/m{sup 2} year and recent deposition about 19 {micro}g/m{sup 2} year. The results of this study indicate that deposition at Arlberg Bog has been influenced by a regional and/or local-scale source.

• Sponsoring Organization: Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 655435
• Journal Information: Environmental Research, Journal Name: Environmental Research Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 78; ISSN ENVRAL; ISSN 0013-9351
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
DEPOSITION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
INTERSTITIAL WATER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MERCURY
MINNESOTA
PEAT