Fluxes,pools, and turnover of mercury in Swedish forest lakes |
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Authors: | Markus Meili |
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Institution: | 1. Institute of Limnology, Uppsala University, Box 557, 75122, Uppsala, Sweden
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Abstract: | In boreal forest lakes, high Hg concentrations in fish are common, even in remote areas. In this paper, the effects of atmospheric
Hg pollution in Sweden are synthesized and related to a concept based on the strong interaction of Hg with biogenic matter
(Hg/B). Based on this concept, a compartment model is developed to predict concentrations, pool sizes, flux rates and turnover
times of Hg along the biogeochemical cycle, including atmosphere, forest soils, surface runoff, lake waters, and aquatic biota.
The aim is to provide a conceptual framework, both for a comprehensive mechanistic model, and for predictions from readily
available information, such as regional data on acid deposition, air temperature and surface runoff, and local data on the
trophic status of lakes with respect to humus and nutrient concentrations. The model is in good agreement with observations
from recent Swedish field studies in all compartments. It suggests a strong influence of climate on the susceptibility of
soil and lake ecosystems in the boreal region to Hg contamination. The high Hg concentrations in fish from forest lakes can
be largely attributed to the low productivity of both terrestrial and aquatic biota. The impact of historical point sources
of Hg is considered, as well as the slow turnover of Hg in forest soils, both resulting in elevated fish Hg levels in humic
lakes for centuries following atmospheric deposition. |
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