Photo-reduction of divalent mercury(Hg(II)) in aquatic systems plays a key role in global biogeochemistry cycling of mercury(Hg) in the Earth's surface environment. The mechanisms of this process with various Clconcentrations([Cl-]) under different pH values and irradiation wavelength ranges are still unclear. In this work,photo-reduction and photo-oxidation experiments of Hg with different [Cl-] and pH values under various light conditions were conducted. The results show that photoreduction rate constants of Hg(II) decrease with the increasing of [Cl-] in neutral solution under full light spectrum. Photo-reduction rate constants of Hg(II) with Cl-is highly dependent on Hg(II) species, which is determined by [Cl-] and pH value. Irradiation wavelength ranges have significant effects on reaction processes of photo-reduction of Hg(II) and photo-oxidation of Hg(0) in the presence of Cl-. When cut off ultraviolet(UV) radiation(280–400 nm), the reduction rate constants decrease without Cl-, and increase with higher [Cl-], and the photooxidation rates of Hg(0) decrease with or without Cl-.Except Cl-complexation stabilize the reducible Hg ions in solutions, photo-oxidation is an important reason for Cllowering photo-reduction rate of Hg(II). The results are of great importance for understanding the photo-redox characters of Hg(II) with Cl-.
As a global toxic pollutant,mercury(Hg)bioaccumulation within food chain could be influenced by human disturbance.Ten typical fish species were collected from Changshou Lake,an artificial lake used to carry out cage fish culture,to investigate the C/N isotopic compositions and Hg bioaccumulation in fish.The results showed that the total Hg(THg)and methylmercury(MeHg)levels in fish muscles((56.03±43.96)and(32.35±29.57)ng/g,wet weight),comparable with those in most studies in China,were significantly lower than the international marketing limit(0.5 mg/kg).Past human input for cage culture in this lake led to abnormal^(15)N enrichment in food chain,as the quantitative trophic levels based onδ^(15)N were different with that classified by feeding behaviors.This phenomenon subsequently demonstrated that it should be considered thoughtfully with respect to the application of the traditional method for understanding Hg bioaccumulation power by the slope of log_(10)[Hg]withδ^(15)N regression in specific water body(i.e.,Changshou Lake).In addition,no significant linear correlation between Hg and body weight or length of some fish species was observed,suggesting that the fish growth in the eutrophic environment was disproportionate with Hg bioaccumulation,and fish length or weight was not the main factor affecting Hg transfer with food web.The occurrence of human disturbance in aquatic system presents a challenge to a better understanding of the Hg bioaccumulation and biomagnification within the food chain.
Yongmin WangQing XieQinqin XuJinping XueCheng ZhangDingyong Wang
Field investigations were conducted to study the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of total culturable bacteria(TCB)and its relationship with methylmercury(MeHg)in the soils of the water level fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir.Different altitudes(170–180,170–175,165–170 and 160–165 m)in Zhenxi(Site 1),Shibaozhai(Site 2)and Tujing(Site 3),Chongqing,China were chosen as sampling sites.Results indicated that TCB did not have significant difference in the top(0–10 cm)and sub(10–20 cm)soil of the non-inundated area(175–180 m),but showing a significant difference in the water level fluctuation zone(\175 m,suggesting that water level fluctuation had an important effect on TCB.Moreover,TCB in soils of various altitudes of Site 1 and 2had significant difference,while for Site 3,this difference was not significant.And the difference of TCB in Site 2was much greater than that in Site 1.These results suggested that there were significant differences for TCB in soils of mainstream and tributaries.In addition,TCB in soils of 10–20 cm had significant or highly significant positive correlations with MeHg level(r C 0.762,P B 0.048),thus we assumed that there may be some aerobic microorganisms playing dominant roles in mercury methylation.
Yuping XiangHongxia DuHong ShenCheng ZhangDingyong Wang
Biogeochemical cycling of mercury in the young Three Gorges Reservoir （TGR）, China, is strongly considered. Although methylmercury （MMHg） photodegradation （PD） is an important process involved in mercury cycling in this zone, little is known about this process. In situ incubation experiments were therefore performed to quantify the effect of different wave- length radiations and environmental factors on the PD process of MMHg in the water bodies of TGR. It was found that the ef- fect of solar radiation on MMHg PD was highly dependent on wavelength and water depth. All PD-rate constants resulting from each wavelength range decreased rapidly with water depth. For surface water, UV-A radiation （320-400 nm） was the key driver, accounting for 49%-62% of MMHg PD. For the entire water column, both photosynthetically active radiation （PAR, 400-700 nm） and UV-A were responsible for MMHg PD. MMHg PD fluxes peaked in summer （7.5-18 ng m-2 d-1）, followed by spring （3.3-8.0 ng m-2 d-1）, autumn （1.0-2.7 ng m-2 d-1）, and winter （0.060-0.15 ng m-2 d-1）. The annual fluxes of MMHg PD were estimated to be 1.1-2.8 μg m-2 at. Filtering the reservoir water and amending it with chemicals （i.e., CV, NO C, and dissolved organic matter （DOM）） showed significant effects on MMHg PD rate constants. Stepwise regression analysis showed that intensity of solar radiation, suspended particulate matter （SPM）, DOM, CI-, and NO3- were involved in the PD process. Path analysis clarified the relationship between MMHg PD rate constants and environmental variables, as well as the comparative strength of direct and indirect relationships among variables. The results are of great importance for understanding MMHg cycling characteristics in TGR and also facilitate the understanding of the underlying process, MMHg PD, in natural waters.
