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Experimental assessment of the daily exchange of atmospheric mercury in Epipremnum aureum

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Abstract

Mercury (Hg) exchange at the plant leaf–atmosphere interface is an important issue when considering vegetation as a sink or source of this global pollutant. The aim of the study described here was to clarify this process by studying Hg exchange under laboratory conditions with a plant model, namely Epipremnum aureum. The desorption and absorption processes were studied under similar conditions in natural daylight. Hg exchange was measured at the foliar surface, and micrometeorological parameters and stomatal conductance were assessed. The results of the Hg exchange study showed different rhythms for the two processes, i.e. desorption (14–196 ng m−2 day−1) was slower than absorption (170–1341 ng m−2 day−1). The daily cycle was more complex in the desorption process, with a maximum when stomatal conductance was high but also with high values during nocturnal hours and a trend to absorption in the mornings. The daily absorption cycles were relatively simple, with values that coincided with positive stomatal conductance values and null values during nocturnal hours. The main factors involved in desorption were stomatal conductance and temperature, but other factors may need to be considered. The absorption process only involved total gaseous Hg, stomatal conductance and relative humidity. A net balance of the two experiments provided data on the amount of Hg transferred per unit leaf area (167 ng m−2 for desorption and 9213 ng m−2 for absorption), which implies total amounts of 23 ng of Hg desorbed and 1280 ng absorbed during the whole experiment. Finally, the reversible/non-reversible nature of the Hg exchange process must be reconsidered bearing in mind that Hg within the leaf can be emitted if changes in ambient conditions are appropriate to favour this process.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Projects CTM2012-33918 and CGL2015-67644-R). The diffusion porometer was provided by the ‘Departamento de Suelo, Planta y Calidad Ambiental’, Spanish Council for Science (CSIC). Dr. Neil Thompson (PhD CChem MRSC) revised the English style.

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  1. Instituto de Geología Aplicada, Escuela de Ingeniería Minera e Industrial de Almadén (EIMIA), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Plaza Manuel Meca, 1, 13400, Almadén, Ciudad Real, Spain

    Rocio Naharro, José María Esbrí & Pablo L. Higueras

  2. Instituto de Geología Aplicada, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Agrónomos de Ciudad Real, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real, Spain

    Rocio Naharro & José Angel Amorós

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  1. Rocio Naharro
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  2. José María Esbrí
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Correspondence to José María Esbrí.

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Naharro, R., Esbrí, J.M., Amorós, J.A. et al. Experimental assessment of the daily exchange of atmospheric mercury in Epipremnum aureum. Environ Geochem Health 42, 3185–3198 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-020-00557-8

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