Mercury accumulation in periphyton of eight river ecosystems
Journal of the American Water Resources Association
By: A.H. Bell and B. C. Scudder
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Abstract
In 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency studied total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in periphyton at eight rivers in the United States in coordination with a larger USGS study on mercury cycling in rivers. Periphyton samples were collected using trace element clean techniques and NAWQA sampling protocols in spring and fall from targeted habitats (streambed surface-sediment, cobble, or woody snags) at each river site. A positive correlation was observed between concentrations of THg and MeHg in periphyton (r2 = 0.88, in log-log space). Mean MeHg and THg concentrations in surface-sediment periphyton were significantly higher (1,333 ng/m2 for MeHg and 53,980 ng/m2 for THg) than cobble (64 ng/m2 for MeHg and 1,192 ng/m2 for THg) or woody snag (71 ng/m2 for MeHg and 1,089 ng/m2 for THg) periphyton. Concentrations of THg in surface-sediment periphyton had a strong positive correlation with concentrations of THg in sediment (dry weight). The ratio of MeHg:THg in surface-sediment periphyton increased with the ratio of MeHg:THg in sediment. These data suggest periphyton may play a key role in mercury bioaccumulation in river ecosystems. ?? 2007 American Water Resources Association.
Suggested Citation
Bell, A., and Scudder, B.C., 2007, Mercury accumulation in periphyton of eight river ecosystems: Journal of the American Water Resources Association, v. 43, no. 4, p. 957-968, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.2007.00078.x.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Mercury accumulation in periphyton of eight river ecosystems |
| Series title | Journal of the American Water Resources Association |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2007.00078.x |
| Volume | 43 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Publication Date | June 28, 2007 |
| Year Published | 2007 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Journal of the American Water Resources Association |
| First page | 957 |
| Last page | 968 |