Spatial and seasonal variability of dissolved methylmercury in two stream basins in the Eastern United States
Environmental Science & Technology
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Abstract
We assessed methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations across multiple ecological scales in the Edisto (South Carolina) and Upper Hudson (New York) River basins. Out-of-channel wetland/floodplain environments were primary sources of filtered MeHg (F-MeHg) to the stream habitat in both systems. Shallow, open-water areas in both basins exhibited low F-MeHg concentrations and decreasing F-MeHg mass flux. Downstream increases in out-of-channel wetlands/floodplains and the absence of impoundments result in high MeHg throughout the Edisto. Despite substantial wetlands coverage and elevated F-MeHg concentrations at the headwater margins, numerous impoundments on primary stream channels favor spatial variability and lower F-MeHg concentrations in the Upper Hudson. The results indicated that, even in geographically, climatically, and ecologically diverse streams, production in wetland/floodplain areas, hydrologic transport to the stream aquatic environment, and conservative/nonconservative attenuation processes in open water areas are fundamental controls on dissolved MeHg concentrations and, by extension, MeHg availability for potential biotic uptake.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Spatial and seasonal variability of dissolved methylmercury in two stream basins in the Eastern United States |
| Series title | Environmental Science & Technology |
| DOI | 10.1021/es103923j |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Year Published | 2011 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | ACS Publications |
| Contributing office(s) | South Carolina Water Science Center, Toxic Substances Hydrology Program |
| Description | 8 p. |
| First page | 2048 |
| Last page | 2055 |
| Country | United States |
| State | New York, South Carolina |
| Other Geospatial | Edisto River, Upper Hudson River |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |