Methylmercury

Mercury methylation genes (hgcAB) mediate the formation of the toxic methylmercury and have been identified from diverse environments, including freshwater and marine ecosystems, Arctic permafrost, forest and paddy soils, coal-ash amended sediments, chlor-alkali plants discharges and geothermal springs. Here we present the first attempt at a standardized protocol for the detection, identification and quantification of hgc genes from metagenomes. Our Hg-MATE (Hg-cycling Microorganisms in Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems) database, a catalogue of hgc genes, provides the most accurate information to date on the taxonomic identity and functional/metabolic attributes of microorganisms responsible for Hg methylation in the environment. Furthermore, we introduce “marky-coco”, a ready-to-use bioinformatic pipeline based on de novo single-metagenome assembly, for easy and accurate characterization of hgc genes from environmental samples. We compared the recovery of hgc genes from environme...

Mercury is an environmental contaminant that appears in different chemical forms. Organic forms of mercury, such as methylmercury, can occur in marine organisms like fish and shellfish and are far more toxic than the inorganic form. It is therefore vital to have refined analytical methods for the different mercuric species in order to evaluate the potential risk for seafood consumers. The aim of our investigations was to develop a simple, robust and valid method for differentiation of the mercury species in marine organisms. Different alkaline and acidic digestion procedures were evaluated. The best performing methodology consisted of digestion of 0.5 g sample in methanolic potassium hydroxide solution. After derivatization with sodium tetraethylborate and extraction of the ethylated mercury species using n-hexane, a quantitative determination of the extract using gas chromatography, combined with atomic emission detection, was possible. The procedure was shown to be selective and sensitive with a limit of detection of 6.1 μg/kg for methylmercury. The average recovery for the full procedure was 91 ± 19%. A preliminary survey of seafoods confirmed the previous observation that the proportion of methylmercury in the total mercury can vary widely, up to a complete occurrence as methylmercury.

Current techniques for assessing levels of organic mercury in primates are limited to captive non‐human primates and analysis of hair and blood samples in human populations. Results of these studies have shown a significant correlation between mercury contamination in the environment and bioaccumulation of organic mercury. However, no such studies have been conducted on free‐ranging primate populations. As such, the main purpose of this study was to:
1.
Develop a safe, reliable,and simple field method for assessing organic mercury levels in wild primates.
In addition to mercury analyses, the following were collected on subgroups of black spider
monkeys (Ateles paniscus):
2.Feeding and behavioral ecology data .
3.Daily travel patterns in order to assess how close individuals/subgroups travel in relation to the mining areas. These can also be used to estimate home ranges(s) of groups.
Spider monkeys (Ateles spp.) are among the most frugivorousprimates known (Link & Di
Fiore, 2006) and incorporate a diverse array of fruits into their diets. They need
vast expanses of rainforest due to their strictly arboreal habitats, and have the longest
birthing intervals (46‐50 months) of any New World primate (Robinson & Janson, 1987).
These factors combined result in the black spider monkey being the most vulnerable primate
species in Suriname, and ultimately serve as a primary indicator of overall forest health. No
previous studies had been conducted on the black spider monkey population at BNP.

Photodegradation is the major pathway of methylmercury (MeHg) degradation in many surface waters. However, the mechanism of MeHg photodegradation is still not completely understood. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is expected to play a critical role in MeHg photodegradation. By using several techniques, including N2/O2 purging and the addition of stable isotope (Me(201)Hg), scavengers, competing ligands, and a singlet oxygen ((1)O2) generator, the role played by MeHg-DOM complexation in MeHg photodegradation of Everglades surface water was investigated. DOM appeared to be involved in MeHg photodegradation via the formation MeHg-DOM complexes based on three findings: (1) MeHg was quickly photodegraded in solutions containing DOM extracts; (2) degradation of MeHg did not occur in deionized water; and (3) addition of competing complexation reagents (dithiothreitol-DTT) dramatically prohibited the photodegradation of MeHg in Everglades water. Further experiments indicated that free radic...

For theoretical and toxicological reasons there has been a growing interest in the co-ordination chemistry of organo-mercuric derivatives. Structural studies using X-ray diffraction have shown that the co-ordination sphere of the mercury atom in these compounds always contains ...

The objective of this study was to quantify total mercury in highly popular Amazonian fish pacu, curimatã, jaraqui, and sardinha from the Madeira River and to estimate the exposure to methylmercury from fish consumption. The samples were obtained from two locations-Puruzinho Igarapé and Santa Rosa-near Humaitá, Amazonia, Brazil in two seasons of 2015 (high and low waters). The fish were identified, weighed and measured, and lipids were quantified. Total mercury was determined by gold amalgamation-atomic absorption spectro-metry. Mean levels were used to calculate exposure of Amazonian and riverine populations. There was significant correlation (p < 0.05) between length × weight for all fish; length × lipid and weight × lipid were significant only for pacu. Total mercury levels varied along muscle tissue for the fish, except for sardinha; therefore muscle from the dorsal area along the fish were sampled, homogenized and used for analysis. The levels of total mercury varied from 0.01 to 0.46 mg/kg, with higher median levels in sardinha (0.24 mg/kg), followed by curimatã (0.16 mg/kg), jaraqui (0.13 mg/kg) and pacu (0.04 mg/kg), corresponding with the respective feeding habits along the trophic chain. Total mercury levels were not affected by the location of fish capture and by high and low waters seasons. Total mercury correlated significantly with length and weight for jaraqui and with length for sardinha (negative correlation). Total mercury levels in fish complied with legislation ; however, exposures to methylmercury from fish consumption overpassed the safe intake reference dose for sardinha for Amazonians; however, for the riverine communities, all of the fish would cause potential health risk, mainly for children and women of childbearing age. PubChem Nitric acid (PubChem CID: 944) Mercury (PubChem CID: 23931)

The objective of this study was to quantify total mercury in highly popular Amazonian fish pacu, curimatã, jaraqui, and sardinha from the Madeira River and to estimate the exposure to methylmercury from fish consumption. The samples were obtained from two locations-Puruzinho Igarapé and Santa Rosa-near Humaitá, Amazonia, Brazil in two seasons of 2015 (high and low waters). The fish were identified, weighed and measured, and lipids were quantified. Total mercury was determined by gold amalgamation-atomic absorption spectro-metry. Mean levels were used to calculate exposure of Amazonian and riverine populations. There was significant correlation (p < 0.05) between length × weight for all fish; length × lipid and weight × lipid were significant only for pacu. Total mercury levels varied along muscle tissue for the fish, except for sardinha; therefore muscle from the dorsal area along the fish were sampled, homogenized and used for analysis. The levels of total mercury varied from 0.01 to 0.46 mg/kg, with higher median levels in sardinha (0.24 mg/kg), followed by curimatã (0.16 mg/kg), jaraqui (0.13 mg/kg) and pacu (0.04 mg/kg), corresponding with the respective feeding habits along the trophic chain. Total mercury levels were not affected by the location of fish capture and by high and low waters seasons. Total mercury correlated significantly with length and weight for jaraqui and with length for sardinha (negative correlation). Total mercury levels in fish complied with legislation ; however, exposures to methylmercury from fish consumption overpassed the safe intake reference dose for sardinha for Amazonians; however, for the riverine communities, all of the fish would cause potential health risk, mainly for children and women of childbearing age. PubChem Nitric acid (PubChem CID: 944) Mercury (PubChem CID: 23931)

Large-scale studies are needed to identify the drivers of total mercury (THg) and monomethyl-mercury (MeHg) concentrations in aquatic ecosystems. Studies attempting to link dissolved organic matter (DOM) to levels of THg or MeHg are few and geographically constrained. Additionally, stream and river systems have been understudied as compared to lakes. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine the influence of DOM concentration and composition, morphological descriptors, land uses and water chemistry on THg and MeHg concentrations and the percentage of THg as MeHg (%MeHg) in 29 streams across Europe spanning from 41°N to 64 °N. THg concentrations (0.06-2.78 ng L) were highest in streams characterized by DOM with a high terrestrial soil signature and low nutrient content. MeHg concentrations (7.8-159 pg L) varied non-systematically across systems. Relationships between DOM bulk characteristics and THg and MeHg suggest that while soil derived DOM inputs control THg concentrations, aut...

Sources of mercury (Hg ) introduced into the environment can be natural or anthropogenic. Methylmercury (MeHg ) is the most toxic form of the mercury, and is responsible for detrimental e ects on human health through the consumption of food, notably marine vertebrates such as carnivorous sh and sharks. This is review focuses on aspects related to biogeochemistry and ecotoxicology of mercury in aquatic environments and presents 12 studies with fish in the Southern Brazilian coast marine environment where 50% of the fish sampled had Hg concentrations, above the level established by national and international agencies as safe for human consumption.

The aggressive display in Betta splendens is particularly prominent, and vital to its adaptation to the environment. Methylmercury is an organic variation of Hg that presents particularly pronounced neuro-behavioral effects. The present experiments aim to test the effect of acute and chronic poisoning with methylmercury on the display of Bettas. The animals were poisoned by trophic means in both experiments (16 ug/kg in acute poisoning; 16 ug/kg/day for chronic poisoning), and tested in agonistic pairs. The total frequency of the display was recorded, analyzing the topography of the agonistic response. The methylmercury seems to present a dose- and detoxification-dependent effect on these responses, with a more pronounced effect on motility in acute poisoning and on emotionality in chronic poisoning. It is possible that this effect could be mediatedby alteration in the mono-amino-oxidase systems.

Photodegradation is the major pathway of methylmercury (MeHg) degradation in many surface waters. However, the mechanism of MeHg photodegradation is still not completely understood. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is expected to play a critical role in MeHg photodegradation. By using several techniques, including N2/O2 purging and the addition of stable isotope (Me(201)Hg), scavengers, competing ligands, and a singlet oxygen ((1)O2) generator, the role played by MeHg-DOM complexation in MeHg photodegradation of Everglades surface water was investigated. DOM appeared to be involved in MeHg photodegradation via the formation MeHg-DOM complexes based on three findings: (1) MeHg was quickly photodegraded in solutions containing DOM extracts; (2) degradation of MeHg did not occur in deionized water; and (3) addition of competing complexation reagents (dithiothreitol-DTT) dramatically prohibited the photodegradation of MeHg in Everglades water. Further experiments indicated that free radic...

The aggressive display in Betta splendens is particularly prominent, and vital to its adaptation to the environment. Methylmercury is an organic variation of Hg that presents particularly pronounced neuro-behavioral effects. The present experiments aim to test the effect of acute and chronic poisoning with methylmercury on the display in Bettas. The animals were poisoned by trophic means in both experiments (16 ug/kg in acute poisoning; 16 ug/kg/day for chronic poisoning), and tested in agonistic pairs. The total frequency of the display was recorded, analyzing the topography of the agonistic response. The methylmercury seems to present a dose- and detoxification-dependent effect on these responses, with a more pronounced effect on motivity in acute poisoning and on emotionality in the chronic poisoning. It is possible that this effect could be mediated by alteration in the mono-amino-oxidase systems.

Methylation experiments of the metals Sn, Pb and Hg were carried out using representative terrestrial and marine sediment samples from the Axios river and Thermaikos Gulf in northern Greece. GC-FID, GC-TCD and GC-MS were used. The experiments were carried out on sterilised and bioactive samples by adding pure metals and metal salts (chloride, nitrate, oxalate, acetic, penicillaminic, methioninic and cysteinic). Except for sterilised HgCl2, methylated derivatives of Sn, Pb and Hg were produced only from bioactive sediments, and therefore higher yields were measured when nutrients were added to the sediments. Volatile products (CH4, CO2, H2S) of biological activity range between 35 and 250 mg l-. The correlation of methylation yield with organic sediment index (OSI), determined as the wt% product of [organic carbon] × [organic nitrogen], is positive for all the metals and metal salts added in the sediments. Methylation yields for Hg are found to be four orders of magnitude higher than those of Pb and Sn. In low OSI (terrestrial) sediments, the rate of Hg-methylation is higher than those of Pb and Sn. In high OSI (marine) sediments, where methylation of most of the contained Hg has taken place, methylation of Pb is slightly faster than Sn.

Maternal methylmercury (MeHg) exposure from a contaminated diet causes adverse effects in offspring, but the underlying mechanism(s) remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of maternal dietary MeHg-exposure on the offspring, using the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model system. Female zebrafish were exposed to MeHg (0.88-3.10ppm) by consuming a diet made from wild-caught walleye originally intended for human consumption. While dietary MeHg exposure did not significantly influence fecundity, offspring showed increase in morphologic alterations and mortality, neurobehavioral dysfunction, and dysregulation of global gene expression. Gene expression analysis suggested that MeHg might affect neuronal and muscular development via dysregulation of genes related to transcriptional regulation (such as supt5h) and cell cycle (such as ccnb1). Results from this study provide evidence that food intended for human consumption, with relatively modest levels of MeHg, may i...

The environmental cycling of mercury (Hg) can be affected by natural and anthropogenic perturbations. Of particular concern is how these disruptions increase mobilization of Hg from sites and alter the formation of monomethylmercury (MeHg), a bioaccumulative form of Hg for humans and wildlife. The scientific community has made significant advances in recent years in understanding the processes contributing to the risk of MeHg in the environment. The objective of this paper is to synthesize the scientific understanding of how Hg cycling in the aquatic environment is influenced by landscape perturbations at the local scale, perturbations that include watershed loadings, deforestation, reservoir and wetland creation, rice production, urbanization, mining and industrial point source pollution, and remediation. We focus on the major challenges associated with each type of alteration, as well as management opportunities that could lessen both MeHg levels in biota and exposure to humans. F...

Large-scale studies are needed to identify the drivers of total mercury (THg) and monomethyl-mercury (MeHg) concentrations in aquatic ecosystems. Studies attempting to link dissolved organic matter (DOM) to levels of THg or MeHg are few and geographically constrained. Additionally, stream and river systems have been understudied as compared to lakes. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine the influence of DOM concentration and composition, morphological descriptors, land uses and water chemistry on THg and MeHg concentrations and the percentage of THg as MeHg (%MeHg) in 29 streams across Europe spanning from 41°N to 64 °N. THg concentrations (0.06-2.78 ng L) were highest in streams characterized by DOM with a high terrestrial soil signature and low nutrient content. MeHg concentrations (7.8-159 pg L) varied non-systematically across systems. Relationships between DOM bulk characteristics and THg and MeHg suggest that while soil derived DOM inputs control THg concentrations, aut...

Methylation experiments of the metals Sn, Pb and Hg were carried out using representative terrestrial and marine sediment samples from the Axios river and Thermaikos Gulf in northern Greece. GC-FID, GC-TCD and GC-MS were used. The experiments were carried out on sterilised and bioactive samples by adding pure metals and metal salts (chloride, nitrate, oxalate, acetic, penicillaminic, methioninic and cysteinic).