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Interactions of Mercury with Dissolved Organic Carbon in the Florida Everglades

Fact Sheet 186-96
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/fs18696

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Abstract

There has been increased awareness by both public and scientific communities over mercury contamination of game fish in South Florida. Effective management strategies for dealing with this problem will require a more thorough understanding of the factors and processes that result in the generation and transport of mercury, and control its reactivity in the Everglades. The role of mercury complexation by dissolved organic carbon (DOC) has been proposed by several investigators as a primary mechanism for the transport of mercury in aquatic systems. However, this relationship has been simply proposed based on a strong correlation between dissolved mercury and DOC concentrations in ground, lake and stream waters. Interactions with DOC may be an important process for controlling the transport and bioavailability of mercury.

The issue of carbon reactivity in South Florida is especially relevant due to the high natural production of organic carbon in the peat soils and wetlands, the relatively high carbon content of shallow ground water systems in the region, the interactions of organic matter with mercury, other trace metals, and anthropogenic compounds, accumulation of organic carbon in corals and carbonate precipitates, and the potential changes in the quality and reactivity of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) resulting from land use practices. This study will attempt to meet the need to more clearly understand the dynamics of organic matter mercury interactions in the Florida Everglades by focusing research on the effect of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) on the transport and reactivity of Hg in the Everglades.

Suggested Citation

Aiken, G.R., and Reddy, M.M., 1996, Interactions of mercury with dissolved organic carbon in the Florida Everglades: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 1996–186, 2 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs18696.

ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Project Goal
  • Background
  • What Are The Key Issues for the Everglades?
  • Plan of Study
  • Collaborators
  • Benefits
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Interactions of mercury with dissolved organic carbon in the Florida Everglades
Series title Fact Sheet
Series number 186-96
DOI 10.3133/fs18696
Year Published 1996
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey,
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center
Description 2 p.
Country United States
State Florida
Other Geospatial Everglades
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details