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Ecosystem-Scale Modeling and Field Observations of Sulfate and Methylmercury Distributions in the Florida Everglades: Responses to Reductions in Sulfate Loading

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Abstract

The Florida Everglades has one of the most severe methylmercury (MeHg) contamination issues in the USA, resulting from factors including high rates of atmospheric mercury (Hg) deposition and sulfate inputs from agricultural lands. Sulfate loading stimulates microbial sulfate reduction and production of toxic and bioaccumulative MeHg. Controls on regional Hg emissions have been successful in reducing Hg deposition and MeHg production in wetlands in other areas, but this has not been the case for the Everglades as the Hg deposited here appears to come from unknown global sources of emissions. We posit that reductions in sulfate loading to the Florida Everglades can be an effective alternative approach used to reduce MeHg production. This study tested this hypothesis (1) by evaluating temporal trends in MeHg concentrations in response to a reduction in sulfate loading at a site in central Water Conservation Area (WCA) 3 and (2) using ecosystem-scale models to predict the effects of reductions in sulfate loading on sulfate concentrations in surface water and MeHg Risk. At the WCA site, we report a decline in sulfate concentrations (from about 9 mg/L in the late 1990s to levels of < 1 mg/L by 2001) due to changes in water delivery as part of Everglades restoration. Concurrent with the decline in sulfate, declines in MeHg concentrations in surface water and fish and wading bird tissues were observed at this site. These results suggest the efficacy of reducing MeHg production and bioaccumulation in the ecosystem through a reduction in sulfate loading. A previously developed model was used to predict the effects of reductions in sulfate loading (97%, 33%, and 10% reduction scenarios) on sulfate concentrations in surface water and MeHg Risk in the Everglades. The model identified areas of the ecosystem where MeHg Risk is most sensitive to the reductions in sulfate loading. Results show that reductions of > 33% in sulfate loading will significantly benefit the Everglades by reducing MeHg Risk.

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Abbreviations

ALT:

Alternative reductions in sulfate loading used in the model (e.g., 1, 2, or 3)

EAA:

Everglades Agricultural Area

ENP:

Everglades National Park

EPA:

Everglades Protection Area (Water Conservation Areas and Everglades National Park)

FLDEP:

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

MeHg:

Methylmercury

MSR:

Microbial sulfate reduction

POS:

Period of study (1978–2000)

SRS:

Shark River Slough

STA:

Stormwater treatment area

WCA:

Water Conservation Area

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the USGS Priority Ecosystems Studies Program for South Florida—Nick Aumen, Program Executive. Financial assistance in the original development of the sulfur/mercury model used here was provided by the US Army Corps of Engineers. We thank Tiffani Schell, Anne Bates, John DeWild, and other members of the USGS ACME group for assistance in sampling, analysis, and preparation of figures. Any use of trade, firm, or product names in this report is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the USGS or the US Government.

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  1. George R. Aiken: Deceased.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA, USA

    William H. Orem & Matthew S. Varonka

  2. EcoLandMod, Inc., Fort Pierce, FL, USA

    Carl Fitz

  3. U.S. Geological Survey, Middleton, WI, USA

    David P. Krabbenhoft

  4. U.S. Geological Survey, Boulder, CO, USA

    Brett A. Poulin & George R. Aiken

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Orem, W.H., Fitz, C., Krabbenhoft, D.P. et al. Ecosystem-Scale Modeling and Field Observations of Sulfate and Methylmercury Distributions in the Florida Everglades: Responses to Reductions in Sulfate Loading. Aquat Geochem 26, 191–220 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10498-020-09368-w

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