ISSN:
1573-2932
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
Notes:
Abstract The spatial and temporal distribution of elemental Hg (Hg°) and reactive Hg (HgR) has been studied on Pallette Lake, Wisconsin during May – August, 1993 and May, 1994. In general, Hg° concentrations near the lake surface greatly exceeded saturation with respect to atmospheric Hg° indicating a flux out (−) of the lake. Evasional losses were estimated using a thin film model and averaged −101 pmol m−2 d−1 during July and August, 1993. A large portion of atmospherically deposited Hg is re-emitted. Thus, in-lake Hg° production' and evasion to the atmosphere will significantly reduce the amount of Hg which is transported to the sediments, the principal site of methylation. Laboratory experiments were conducted to ascertain the rate of Hg° formation from Hg(II). Reduction was significantly lower in heat sterilized lakewater suggesting Hg° production was biologically mediated. The temporal distribution of epilimnetic Hg°, as measured at the lake center, was influenced by Hg° evasion, Hg° production and advective transport of water parcels of differing Hg content. Spatial gradients in Hg° and HgR were identified and a transport model was employed to estimate the advective flux of Hg°. The importance of atmospheric deposition and sediment-water interaction as sources of HgR to epilimnetic waters were examined. Porewater concentrations of Hg° and HgR were determined on several occasions. During May, 1994, the depletion of lakewater HgR following a input pulse due to rain was observed and the estimated removal rate (16–20% d−1) agrees well with reduction rates obtained in the laboratory (23% d−1).
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01189703
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