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Aquatic Cycling of Mercury

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Mercury and the Everglades. A Synthesis and Model for Complex Ecosystem Restoration

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Abstract

This chapter examines crucial processes in the aquatic cycling of mercury (Hg) that may lead to microbial production of neurotoxic and bioaccumulative methylmercury (MeHg), and highlights environmental conditions in the Everglades that make it ideal for MeHg production and bioaccumulation. The role of complexation of Hg2+ in surface water, especially by dissolved organic matter (DOM), in the transport of mercury to sites of microbial methylation are discussed. Photochemical reactions important in Hg cycling in surface water are also discussed. A principal focus of the chapter is on the environmental conditions that promote MeHg production, especially the role of sulfide and DOM in transport of inorganic Hg into bacteria for methylation, and the types of bacteria that have the ability to methylate Hg. Finally, perturbations to the ecosystem (e.g., fire and drought) that have important effects on Hg cycling are discussed.

Author “George R. Aiken” is deceased at the time of publication.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the USGS Priority Ecosystems Studies Program for South Florida—Nick Aumen, Program Executive. Any use of trade, firm, or product names in this report is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the USGS or the U.S. Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA, USA

    William H. Orem

  2. U.S. Geological Survey, Middleton, WI, USA

    David P. Krabbenhoft

  3. U.S. Geological Survey, Boulder, CO, USA

    Brett A. Poulin & George R. Aiken

Authors
  1. William H. Orem
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  2. David P. Krabbenhoft
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  3. Brett A. Poulin
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  4. George R. Aiken
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to William H. Orem .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Coastal Watershed Institute, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL, USA

    Darren G. Rumbold

  2. Aqua Lux Lucis, Inc, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Curtis D. Pollman

  3. Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL, USA

    Donald M. Axelrad

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Orem, W.H., Krabbenhoft, D.P., Poulin, B.A., Aiken, G.R. (2019). Aquatic Cycling of Mercury. In: Rumbold, D., Pollman, C., Axelrad, D. (eds) Mercury and the Everglades. A Synthesis and Model for Complex Ecosystem Restoration. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32057-7_1

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