Campeau, Audrey
- Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- McGill University
- University of Quebec Montreal (UQAM)
Abstract
We examine correlations between mercury (Hg) and carbon (C) concentrations and speciation by synthesizing 526 river water samples across three distinct regions in Qu & eacute;bec, Canada (48 degrees to 55 degrees N and 62 degrees to 80 degrees W). Positive correlations between methylmercury (MeHg) per unit Hg and C-gases per unit dissolved organic carbon suggest Hg-C co-transformation within rivers. Correlations between MeHg and methane (CH4) concentrations strengthen when adjusted for oxidation, revealing an association that goes beyond the established link between fermentation and Hg methylation in anoxic environments. These correlations persist but are manifested differently across regions. Colder, wetland-dominated regions indicated stronger terrestrial co-loading, while warmer and more recently impounded systems exhibited more co-transformation. These findings emphasize the interconnected biogeochemical cycles of Hg-C in northern rivers and highlight the importance of landscape characteristics influencing their coupling.
Keywords
carbon; mercury; rivers; boreal; reservoirs; greenhouse gases
Published in
Geophysical Research Letters
2025, volume: 52, number: 14, article number: e2025GL115080
Publisher: AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION
SLU Authors
UKÄ Subject classification
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL115080
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/143146