Organic Matter in Rain: An Overlooked Influence on Mercury Deposition

The importance of Hg emissions for deposition will be scrutinized in the future as new legislation to control emissions of Hg to the atmosphere comes into effect. We show that mercury (Hg) concentrations in rainfall are closely linked to organic matter (OM) with consistent Hg/TOC ratios over large spatial scales decreasing from that in an open field (OF, 1.5 μg g^–1) to that in throughfall (TF, 0.9 μg g^–1). The leaf area index was positively correlated with both TF [Hg] and total organic carbon ([TOC]), but not the Hg/TOC ratio. This study shows that the progression in the Hg/TOC ratio through catchments starts in precipitation with Hg/TOC_bulk dep > Hg/TOC_soil water > Hg/TOC_streamwater. These findings raise an intriguing question about the extent to which it is not just atmospheric [Hg] but also OM that influences [Hg] in precipitation. This question should be resolved to improve the ability to discern the importance of changing global Hg emissions for deposition of Hg at specific sites

Eight Boreal Wetlands as Sources and Sinks for Methyl Mercury in Relation to Soil Acidity, C/N Ratio, and Small-Scale Flooding

Four years of catchment export and wetland input–output mass balances are reported for inorganic Hg (Hg_inorg), methyl mercury (MeHg), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and sulfate in eight Swedish boreal wetlands. All wetlands had a history of artificial drainage and seven were subjected to small-scale flooding during the complete study period (two sites) or the two last years (five sites). We used an approach in which specific runoff data determined at hydrological stations situated at a distance from the studied sites were used in the calculation of water and element budgets. All wetlands except one were significant sinks for Hg_inorg. Seven wetlands were consistent sources of MeHg and one (an <i>Alnus glutinosa</i> swamp) was a significant sink. The pattern of MeHg yields was in good agreement with previously determined methylation and demethylation rates in the wetland soils of this study, with a maximum MeHg yield obtained in wetlands with an intermediate soil acidity (pH ∼5.0) and C/N ratio (∼20). We hypothesize that an increased nutrient status from poor to intermediate conditions promotes methylation over demethylation, whereas a further increase in nutrient status and trophy to meso- and eutrophic conditions promotes demethylation over methylation. Small-scale flooding showed no or moderate changes in MeHg yield, maintaining differences among wetlands related to nutrient status

Impact of Forestry on Total and Methyl-Mercury in Surface Waters: Distinguishing Effects of Logging and Site Preparation

Forestry operations can increase the export of mercury (both total and methyl) to surface waters. However, little is known about the relative contribution of different forestry practices. We address this question using a paired-catchment study that distinguishes the effects of site preparation from the antecedent logging. Runoff water from three catchments, two harvested and one untreated control, was sampled biweekly during one year prior to logging, two years after logging, and three years after site preparation. The logging alone did not significantly increase the concentrations of either total or methyl-mercury in runoff, but export increased by 50–70% in one of the harvested catchments as a consequence of increased runoff volume. The combined effects of logging and site preparation increased total and methyl-mercury concentrations by 30–50% relative to preharvest conditions in both treated catchments. The more pronounced concentration effect after site preparation compared to logging could be related to site preparation being conducted during summer. This caused more soil disturbance than logging, which was done during winter with snow covering the ground. The results suggest that the cumulative impact of forest harvest on catchment mercury outputs depends on when and how forestry operations are implemented