We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
The Influence of Littoral on Mercury Bioaccumulation in a Humic Lake.
- Authors
Braaten, Hans; Lindholm, Markus; Wit, Heleen; Eriksen, Tor
- Abstract
Concentration of methylmercury (MeHg) in different habitats and associated food chains may vary because of habitat characteristics that determine methylation and MeHg transfer. We examined MeHg levels in primary consumers from littoral, pelagial and profundal habitats of a boreal humic lake, and measured total mercury (TotHg) and MeHg in surface sediments at increasing depths. MeHg concentrations in primary consumers increased from profundal to littoral, a pattern which was mirrored by the surface sediment concentrations. Methylation potential (expressed as the ratio of MeHg to TotHg) was lower in profundal than in littoral sediments, suggesting that littoral sediments have higher net methylation rates. No specific MeHg-enriched entrance point in the littoral food chain was identified, however. High MeHg concentrations in littoral primary consumers and sediments suggest that shallow lake sediments are important for MeHg transfer to the aquatic food web in boreal humic lakes. Lake morphometry, most specifically the fraction of littoral, is hence likely to add to differences in MeHg bioaccumulation rates in lake food webs.
- Subjects
METHYLMERCURY &; the environment; BIOACCUMULATION; HUMUS analysis; LITTORAL zone; FOOD chains; METHYLATION
- Publication
Water, Air & Soil Pollution, 2014, Vol 225, Issue 10, p1
- ISSN
0049-6979
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11270-014-2141-4