title: Multiple regression analysis to assess the role of plankton on the distribution and speciation of mercury in water of a contaminated lagoon.
abstract: Spatial and seasonal variation of mercury species aqueous concentrations and distributions was carried out during six sampling campaigns at four locations within Laranjo Bay, the most mercury-contaminated area of the Aveiro Lagoon (Portugal). Inorganic mercury (IHg(II)) and methylmercury (MeHg) were determined in filter-retained (IHgPART, MeHgPART) and filtered (<0.45μm) fractions (IHg(II)DISS, MeHgDISS). The concentrations of IHgPART depended on site and on dilution with downstream particles. Similar processes were evidenced for MeHgPART, however, its concentrations increased for particles rich in phaeophytin (Pha). The concentrations of MeHgDISS, and especially those of IHg(II)DISS, increased with Pha concentrations in the water. Multiple regression models are able to depict MeHgPART, IHg(II)DISS and MeHgDISS concentrations with salinity and Pha concentrations exhibiting additive statistical effects and allowing separation of possible addition and removal processes. A link between phytoplankton/algae and consumers' grazing pressure in the contaminated area can be involved to increase concentrations of IHg(II)DISS and MeHgPART. These processes could lead to suspended particles enriched with MeHg and to the enhancement of IHg(II) and MeHg availability in surface waters and higher transfer to the food web.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: tstoichevbg@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stoichev
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Bio-inorganique et Environnement, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, IPREM UMR 5254 CNRS - Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, Hélioparc Pau Pyrénées, 2, av. P. Angot, 64053 Pau cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tessier
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Bio-inorganique et Environnement, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, IPREM UMR 5254 CNRS - Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, Hélioparc Pau Pyrénées, 2, av. P. Angot, 64053 Pau cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Amouroux
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: M C P
authors.initials: MCP
authors.lastname: Basto
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Vasconcelos
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D018533:Biomass; D020387:Food Chain; D017669:Mercury Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010933:Plankton / Q000378:metabolism*; D011174:Portugal; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012621:Seasons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D017669:Mercury Compounds; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Chlor-alkali industry; Coastal lagoon; Mercury species; Multiple regression model; Phytoplankton