The paper will probe the factors influencing methylmercury (MeHg) production in coastal systems, focusing on the role of dissolved and particulate reduced sulfur species, using data collected across a range of eastern US locations (Maine to the Chesapeake Bay). The sites range over several orders of magnitude in total mercury (HgT), organic matter (NOM) and reduced sulfur content. While elevated methylation potentials and %MeHg were found at low NOM sites, high methylation potentials and rates were also measured at high NOM, high Hg sites. The results point to the importance of inorganic reduced sulfur in addition to NOM in controlling Hg bioavailability to methylating bacteria, partially through its role in controlling the dissolved-particulate partitioning. We will  present modeling results used to further examine the potential role of sulfur, as well as the potential importance of colloidal formation in porewater, in controlling Hg bioavailability in sediment porewaters.

Examining the role of sulfur in the biogeochemical cycling of mercury and methylmercury in coastal sediments through measurements and models

245th National Meeting (2013)

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