Issue 9, 2022

Arsenate decreases production of methylmercury across increasing sulfate concentration amendments in freshwater lake sediments

Abstract

Arsenic (As) and sulfate pollution are often found co-occurring as a result of smelting metal ores. Previous studies showed that sulfate reducing microbes (SRMs) can use As(V) as a terminal electron acceptor, while others reported that SRMs are the main mercury (Hg) methylators in freshwater systems. However, we have yet to fully explore how As(V) can affect methylmercury (MeHg) production. In this study, we examined whether additions of As(V) and sulfate in freshwater sediments collected near a major gold mine with a history of S and As emissions affect Hg methylation. First, we show that Hg methylation in lake sediments was primarily limited by carbon substrate availability rather than by that of sulfate as terminal electron acceptors. Then, under conditions where carbon is not limiting, sulfate addition to the system significantly increased Hg methylation rate constants. Finally, we show that MeHg production rates in sediments significantly decreased with increasing As(V) concentrations, regardless of the sulfate concentration amended to sediments. This work underscores the apparent antagonistic effects of As(V) on the one hand, and carbon and sulfate on the other hand on the kinetics of Hg methylation. Arsenic controls on Hg methylation are complex and a combination of direct impact on the methylators' fitness, the formation of As-bearing mineral phases affecting Hg bioavailability, or changes in the microbial community structures over increasing As concentrations should be the focus of additional investigations.

Graphical abstract: Arsenate decreases production of methylmercury across increasing sulfate concentration amendments in freshwater lake sediments

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
17 12月 2021
Accepted
12 5月 2022
First published
13 5月 2022

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2022,24, 1508-1516

Arsenate decreases production of methylmercury across increasing sulfate concentration amendments in freshwater lake sediments

A. Mija, B. Jules M and P. Alexandre J, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2022, 24, 1508 DOI: 10.1039/D1EM00543J

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements