Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Methylated and elemental mercury cycling in surface and deep ocean waters of the North Atlantic

  • Published:
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Biogeochemical cycling of mercury (Hg) in the ocean and air-sea exchange are integral parts of the global Hg cycle. Ionic Hg (i.e. reactive Hg-Hg°) is converted in ocean surface waters to elemental Hg (Hg°) with the subsequent loss, via gas evasion, of the Hg° to the atmosphere. During a recent cruise in the North Atlantic Ocean, Hg° in surface waters was a substantial fraction of the reactive Hg (85%, on average) and there was a relationship between photosynthetic pigment concentration and Hg°. In addition, there was evidence of Hg bound to “collodial” material (of greater than 1,000 molecular weight). Ionic Hg concentrations were around 0.15 pM, similar to the average colloidal Hg concentration of 0.2 pM. Methylated Hg compounds, both dimethylHg (DMHg) and monomethylHg (MMHg), were found in the deeper waters with DMHg being the predominant methylated species. This contrasts with freshwater lakes where MMHg is the principal species and no DMHg has been found. Preliminary modelling, using estimated rate constants for the formation and decomposition of DMHg and MMHg, predicts an enhanced stability of DMHg in ocean waters relative to fresh water. Deep ocean waters, formed by sinking of surface waters, can preserve DMHg that was produced in the more productive surface regime.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baldi, F., Pepi, M., and Filipelli, M.: 1993,Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 59, 2479–2485.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloom, N.S.: 1994,Mercury as a Global Pollutant, Lewis Publishers (in press).

  • Bloom, N.S.: 1989,Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 46, 1131–1140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloom, N.S., Watras, C.J., and Hurley, J.P.: 1991,Water Air Soil Poll. 56, 477–491.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloom, N.S. and Fitzgerald, W.F.: 1988,Anal. Chim. Acta 208, 151–161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brugmann, L., Danielsson, L-G., Magnusson, B., and Westerlund, S.: 1981, The R.V. Alexander von Humboldt Expedition, June 1981. Dept. of Analytical and Marine Chemistry Report, University of Gotenborg, Sweden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruland, K.W., Donat, J.R., and Hutchins, D.A.: 1991,Limnol. Oceanogr.,36, 1555–1577.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarkson, T.W.: 1990,Environ. Toxicol. Chem.,9, 957–961.

    Google Scholar 

  • Compeau, G. and Bartha, R.: 1985,Appl. Environ. Microbiol.,48, 1203–1207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cossa, D., Michel, P., Noel, J., Auges, D.: 1992,Oceanologica Acta 15, 603–608.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cossa, D., Mason, R.P. and Fitzgerald, W.F.: 1994,Mercury as a Global Pollutant, Lewis Publishers (in press).

  • Cossa, D. and Martin, J.M.: 1993, Water Resources Report, CEC, Brussels, 1993. AlsoEOS Transactions, AGU 74, (16) # O31B-2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cossa, D. and Martin, J.M.: 1991,Mar. Chem. 36, 291–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Craig, P.J. and Bartlett, P.D.: 1978,Nature,275, 635–637.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cutter, G.A. and Oats, T.J.: 1987,Anal. Chem. 59, 717–721.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dalziel, J.A.: 1992,Mar. Chem. 37, 171–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Danziel, J.A. and Yeats, P.A.: 1985,Mar. Chem. 15, 357–361.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fagerstrom, T. and Jernelou, A.: 1972,Water Res.,6, 1193–1196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fitzgerald, W.F.: 1989,Chemical Oceanography, Volume 10, Riley, J.P. and Chester, R., editors, Academic Press, London, pp 151–186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fitzgerald, W.F., Mason, R.P., and Vandal, G.M.: 1991,Water Air Soil Poll.,56, 745–767.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fitzgerald, W.F., Vandal, G.V., Mason, R.P. and Dulac: 1994,Mercury as a Global Pollutant, Lewis Publishers (in press).

  • Fitzgerald, W.F. and Clarkson, T.W.: 1991,Environmental Health Perspectives 96, 159–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill, G.A. and Fitzgerald, W.F.: 1988,Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 52, 1719–1728.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill, G.A. and Bruland, K.W.: 1987,EOS Transactions, AGU 68, 1763.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill, G.A. and Fitzgerald, W.F.: 1987a,Global Biogeochemical Cycles 3, 199–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill, G.A. and Fitzgerald, W.F.: 1987b,Mar. Chem. 20, 227–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill, G.A. and Fitzgerald, W.F.: 1985,Deep-Sea Res. 32, 287–297.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilmour, C.G. and Henry, E.A.: 1991,Environ. Poll. 71, 131–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guentzel, J.L., Mason, R.P., Landing, W.M., and Powell, R. (in prep.).

  • Hurley, J.P., Watras, C.J., and Bloom, N.S.: 1991,Water Air Soil Poll. 56, 543–551.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J.P.: 1987, Volatilization and Efflux of Mercury from Biologically Productive Ocean Regions. PhD. Thesis, University of Connecticut.

  • Kim, J.P. and Fitzgerald, W.F.: 1988,Geophysical Research Letters 15, 40–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J.P. and Fitzgerald, W.F.: 1986,Science 231, 1131–1133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindqvist, O., Johansson, K., Aastrup, M., Andersson, A., Bringmark, L., Hovsenius, G., Håkanson, L., Iverfeldt, Å, Meili, M., and Timm, B.: 1991,Mercury in the Swedish Environment — Recent Research on Causes, Consequences and Corrective Methods. Lindqvist, O. (Ed.). Special volume,Water Air Soil Poll., 55.

  • Mason, R.P.: 1991, The Chemistry of Mercury in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Connecticut, 305 pp.

  • Mason, R.P. and Fitzgerald, W.F.: 1990,Nature 347, 457–459.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, R.P. and Fitzgerald, W.F.: 1991,Water Air Soil Poll. 56, 779–789.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, R.P. and Fitzgerald, W.F.: 1993,Deep-Sea Res. 40, 1897–1924.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, R.P., Fitzgerald, W.F., and Vandal, G.M.: 1992,J. Atmos. Chem. 14, 489–500.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, R.P., Fitzgerald, W.F., and Morel, F.M.M.: 1994a,Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta. 58, 3191–3198

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, R.P., O'Donnell, J., and Fitzgerald, W.F.: 1994b,Mercury as a Global Pollutant, Lewis Publishers (in press).

  • Mason, R.P., Morel, F.MM. and Hemond H.F.: 1994c, This volume ofWater Air Soil Poll.

  • Mason, R.P., Morel, F.M.M., and Hemond, H.F.: 1993cHeavy Metals in the Environment, Vol. 2, Allan, R.J. & Nriagu, J.O. (Eds.), CEP Consultants, Edinburgh pp 293–296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, R.P., Fitzgerald, W.F., Hurley, J.P., Hanson, A.K. jr., Donaghay, P.L. and Sieburth, J.M.: 1992d,Limnol. Oceanogr.,38, 1227–1241.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCartney, M.S.: 1991,Prog. in Oceanog. 31, 284–383.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moffet, J.W., Zika, R.G., and Brand, L.E.: 1990,Deep-Sea Res.,37, 27–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nriagu, J.O. and Pacyna, J.M.: 1988,Nature,333, 134–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olafsson, J.: 1983,Trace Metals in Seawater, Wong, C.S.et al. (Eds.), NATO Series IV, Marine Science Volume 9, Plenum Press, New York, pp 475–486.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quevauviller, P., Donard, O.F.X., Wasserman, J.C., Martin, F.M., and Schneider, J.: 1992,Appl. Organomel. Chem.,6, 221–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smethie, W.M.: 1993,Prog. Oceanog. 31, 51–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vandal, G.M., Fitzgerald, W.F., and Mason, R.P.: 1991,Water Air Soil Poll. 56, 791–803.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiner, J.G. and Stokes, P.M.: 1990,Environ. Toxicol. Chem.,9, 821–822.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winfrey, M.R. and Rudd, J.W.M.: 1990,Environ. Toxicol. Chem.,9, 853–869.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, J.M., Kennedy, F.S., and Roseb, C.G.: 1968,Nature,220, 173–174.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, University of Maryland, 20688, Solomons, MD

    R. P. Mason

  2. Dept. of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Avery Point, 06340, Grown, CT

    K. R. Rolfhus & W. F. Fitzgerald

Authors
  1. R. P. Mason
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. K. R. Rolfhus
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. W. F. Fitzgerald
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mason, R.P., Rolfhus, K.R. & Fitzgerald, W.F. Methylated and elemental mercury cycling in surface and deep ocean waters of the North Atlantic. Water Air Soil Pollut 80, 665–677 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01189719

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01189719

Keywords

Search

Navigation