Wetland influence on mercury fate and transport in a temperate forested watershed.
The transport and fate of mercury (Hg) was studied in two forest wetlands; a riparian peatland and an abandoned beaver meadow. The proportion of total mercury (THg) that was methyl mercury (% MeHg) increased from 2% to 6% from the upland inlets to the outlet of the wetlands. During the growing season, MeHg concentrations were approximately three times higher (0.27ng/L) than values during the non-growing season (0.10ng/L). Transport of Hg species was facilitated by DOC production as indicated by significant positive relations with THg and MeHg. Elevated concentrations of MeHg and % MeHg (as high as 70%) were found in pore waters of the riparian and beaver meadow wetlands. Groundwater interaction with the stream was limited at the riparian peatland due to the low hydraulic conductivity of the peat. The annual fluxes of THg and MeHg at the outlet of the watershed were 2.3 and 0.092microg/m2-year respectively.
Selvendiran
Pranesh
P
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA. pselvend@syr.edu
Driscoll
Charles T
CT
Bushey
Joseph T
JT
Montesdeoca
Mario R
MR
D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D012621:Seasons; D012987:Soil; D012995:Solubility; D013431:Sulfates / Q000032:analysis; D014197:Trees; D014872:Water Movements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D053833:Wetlands
D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D012987:Soil; D013431:Sulfates; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002244:Carbon; D008628:Mercury