Biogeochemistry of mercury in wetlands

Abstract

The environmental behavior and accumulation of Hg in aquatic organisms is subtly complex and driven by chemically and biologically mediated reactions involving exceedingly small quantities of Hg in the atmosphere and natural waters. The atmospheric and aquatic biogeochemical Hg cycle associated with wetlands and their environs will be affected not only by localized discharges (e.g., rivers; waste water treatment facilities), and tidal exchange, but from direct and indirect (via watershed leaching) airborne transport and deposition of Hg from regional and longer range sources. Increasing control of potential polluting activities and the development of ‘clean’ technologies have resulted in a substantial decrease in Hg emissions to the environment from point sources especially in developed countries. [...]