title: Mercury distribution, methylation and volatilization in microcosms with and without the sea anemone Bunodosoma caissarum.
abstract: Mercury (Hg) has a complex biogeochemical cycle in aquatic environments. Its most toxic form, methylmercury (MeHg), is produced by microorganisms. This study investigated how the sea anemone Bunodosoma caissarum affects Hg distribution, methylation and volatilization in laboratory model systems. (203)Hg was added to microcosms and its distribution in seawater, specimens and air was periodically measured by gamma spectrometry. MeHg was measured by liquid scintillation. After the uptake period, specimens had a bioconcentration factor of 70 and in microcosms with and without B. caissarum, respectively 0.05% and 0.32% of the initial spike was found as MeHg. After depuration, MeHg in specimens ranged from 0.2% to 2.4% of total Hg. Microcosms with B. caissarum had higher Hg volatilization (58%) than controls (17%), possibly due to Hg(2+) reduction mediated by microorganisms associated with its tissues and mucus secretions. Marine organisms and their associated microbiota may play a role in Hg and MeHg cycling.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Geoquímica, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro de São João Batista s/n, Instituto de Química, 5° andar, Centro, Niterói, RJ 24020-141, Brazil. Electronic address: nafisarizzini@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Nafisa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rizzini Ansari
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biofísica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Bloco G/CCS/Ilha do Fundão, RJ 21941-902, Brazil. Electronic address: raquelrose10@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Raquel Rose Silva
authors.initials: RRS
authors.lastname: Correia
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, São Francisco Xavier St. 524, 4018E, Maracanã, RJ 20550-013, Brazil. Electronic address: hallfz@uerj.br.
authors.forename: Marcos Antônio
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Geoquímica, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro de São João Batista s/n, Instituto de Química, 5° andar, Centro, Niterói, RJ 24020-141, Brazil. Electronic address: rccordeiro@geoq.uff.br.
authors.forename: Renato Campello
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Cordeiro
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biofísica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Bloco G/CCS/Ilha do Fundão, RJ 21941-902, Brazil. Electronic address: jeanrdg@biof.ufrj.br.
authors.forename: Jean Remy Davée
authors.initials: JRD
authors.lastname: Guimarães
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000378:metabolism*; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008745:Methylation; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012615:Sea Anemones / Q000378:metabolism*; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D008628:Mercury
keywords: Bioaccumulation; Biomonitor; Cnidaria; Methylmercury; Seawater