Riparian methylmercury production increases riverine mercury flux and food web concentrations

Environmental Science & Technology
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

The production and uptake of toxic methylmercury (MeHg) impacts aquatic ecosystems globally. Rivers can be dynamic and difficult systems to study for MeHg production and bioaccumulation, hence identifying sources of MeHg to these systems is both challenging and important for resource management within rivers and main-stem reservoirs. Riparian zones, which are known biogeochemical hotspots for MeHg production, are understudied as potential sources of MeHg to rivers. Here, we present a comprehensive quantification of the hydrologic and biogeochemical processes governing MeHg concentrations, loads, and bioaccumulation at 16 locations along 164 km of the agriculturally intensive Snake River (Idaho, Oregon USA) during summer baseflow conditions, with emphasis on riparian production of MeHg. Approximately one-third of the MeHg load of the Snake River could not be attributed to inflowing waters (upgradient, tributaries, or irrigation drains). Across the study reach, increases in MeHg loads in surface waters were significantly correlated with MeHg concentrations in riparian porewaters, suggesting riparian zones were likely an important source of MeHg to the Snake River. Across all locations, MeHg concentrations in surface waters positively correlated with MeHg concentrations in benthic snails and clams, supporting that riparian produced MeHg was assimilated into local aquatic food webs. This study contributes new insights into riparian MeHg production within rivers which can inform mitigation efforts to reduce MeHg bioaccumulation in fish.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Riparian methylmercury production increases riverine mercury flux and food web concentrations
Series title Environmental Science & Technology
DOI 10.1021/acs.est.4c08585
Edition Online First
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher ACS Publications
Contributing office(s) Forest and Rangeland Ecosys Science Center, Idaho Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
Country United States
State Idaho, Oregon
Other Geospatial Snake River
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details