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Influence of benthic macrofauna on microbial production of methylmercury in sediments on the New England continental shelf

Hydrobiologia volume 701, pages 289–299 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Microbial methylation processes in sediment are an important source of toxic monomethylmercury (MMHg) to aquatic ecosystems. Although bioturbation activities (feeding, digging of galleries, excavations, bioirrigation) by benthic fauna are known to affect many biogeochemical processes, their influence on benthic MMHg production is poorly understood. We investigated the effect of benthic fauna on the microbial production of MMHg in sediments on the continental shelf of the northwest Atlantic Ocean in September 2009. Replicate cores of sieved (control) and unaltered sediment containing native macrofauna were incubated to examine the influence of benthic macrofauna on net MMHg production, potential gross rates of Hg methylation, sediment reworking, dissolved oxygen and organic carbon concentrations, and microbial metabolic activities. The presence of macrofauna stimulated aerobic microbial respiration and net MMHg production, but had no observed effect on short-term gross rates of Hg methylation. This suggests that bioturbation may promote net MMHg production by inhibiting demethylating microorganisms, although overall community metabolism was increased. Results from this work emphasize the need to enhance our knowledge and understanding of the interactions among benthic fauna, microorganisms, and geochemistry in affecting MMHg production.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the following individuals who assisted with either sample collection or analysis: Lisa Romas, Melissa Tabatchnick, Katlin Bowman, Avani Naik, Matt Konkler, Jaclyn Klaus, Deepthi Nalluri, and the captain and crew of the R/V Endeavor. We also thank Dr. P. Viaroli and two anonymous referees for their valuable comments on the manuscript and their constructive suggestions. This research was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (OCE-0752116).

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  1. Geraldine Nogaro

    Present address: Annis Water Resources Institute, Grand Valley State University, 740 W Shoreline Drive, Muskegon, MI, 49441, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH, 45435, USA

    Geraldine Nogaro & Chad R. Hammerschmidt

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  1. Geraldine Nogaro
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  2. Chad R. Hammerschmidt
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Correspondence to Geraldine Nogaro.

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Handling editor: Pierluigi Viaroli

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Nogaro, G., Hammerschmidt, C.R. Influence of benthic macrofauna on microbial production of methylmercury in sediments on the New England continental shelf. Hydrobiologia 701, 289–299 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1286-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1286-7

Keywords

  • Mercury
  • Methylation
  • Bioturbation
  • Marine sediments
  • Biogeochemistry