| Mercury Export from the Yukon River Basin and Potential Response to a Changing Climate. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 21910490 Owner: NLM Status: Publisher |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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We measured mercury (Hg) concentrations and calculated export and yield from the Yukon River Basin (YRB) to quantify Hg flux from a large, permafrost-dominated, high-latitude watershed. Exports of Hg averaged 4400 kg Hg yr-1. The average annual yield for the YRB during the study period was 5.17 ug m-2 yr-1, which is 3 to 32 times more than Hg yields reported for 8 other major northern hemisphere river basins. The vast majority (90%) of Hg export is associated with particulates. Half of the annual export of Hg occurred during the spring with about 80% of 34 samples exceeding the US EPA Hg standard for adverse chronic effects to biota. Dissolved and particulate organic carbon exports explained 81% and 50%, respectively, of the variance in Hg exports, and both were significantly (p<0.001) correlated with water discharge. Recent measurements indicate that permafrost contains a substantial reservoir of Hg. Consequently climate warming will likely accelerate the mobilization of Hg from thawing permafrost increasing the export of organic-carbon associated Hg, and thus potentially exacerbating the production of bioavailable methylmercury from permafrost-dominated northern river basins. |
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Authors:
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Paul F Schuster; Robert G Striegl; George R Aiken; David P Krabbenhoft; John F Dewild; Kenna Butler; Ben Kamark; Mark Dornblaser |
Publication Detail:
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Type: JOURNAL ARTICLE Date: 2011-9-12 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Environmental science & technology Volume: - ISSN: 1520-5851 ISO Abbreviation: - Publication Date: 2011 Sep |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-9-13 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0213155 Medline TA: Environ Sci Technol Country: - |
Other Details:
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Languages: ENG Pagination: - Citation Subset: - |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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