title: Total mercury and methylmercury distributions in surface sediments from Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, Norwegian Arctic.
abstract: The total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) distributions in the surface sediments of Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, in the Norwegian Arctic were investigated in this study. The results showed that THg concentrations ranged from 9.11 to 86.73 ng g(-1), whereas MeHg concentrations had an average of only 0.11 ng g(-1). Factors that control the distribution and methylated transformation of mercury were examined, and the results suggested that the movements of ocean currents and glaciers affect the THg distribution. The total organic carbon (TOC) and N contents in the sediments were positively correlated with THg concentration, which indicated that the THg distribution at these stations was primarily controlled by organic matter in the sediments. A complex relationship was observed between the THg and S contents, possibly due to anthropogenic activities involved in the perennial scientific expedition. MeHg and THg exhibited similar correlations with the sediment chemical characteristics for all stations suggesting that MeHg may be produced locally through the microbial methylation of mercury.
authors.affiliation: The State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xiaoli
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.forename: Yongxia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.forename: Xiaofeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Zhibo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Youcai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Minghong
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cai
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D013538:Svalbard
chemical_list: D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D002244:Carbon; D008628:Mercury; D009584:Nitrogen