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Review article - Peer-reviewed, 2023

Properly interpret metabolic inhibition results to identify primary mercury methylating microbes

Lei, Pei; Yu, Ri-Qing; Kong, Yaqi; Bertilsson, Stefan; Tsui, Martin Tsz-Ki; Jiang, Tao; Zhao, Jiating; Liu, Yu-Rong; Joerg, Rinklebe; Zhong, Huan

Abstract

Distinguishing the respective contributions of various microbes to methylmercury (MeHg) production is critical for predicting MeHg bioaccumulation and exposure risk. Metabolic inhibitors have been commonly used to block the activity of specific microbial groups and identify primary Hg methylating microbes. By reviewing literatures and our empirical data, we demonstrate how multiple factors, including (1) the addition of inappropriate amounts of inhibitors, (2) a tendency to overlook microbial syntrophy, and (3) the absence of comprehensive proxy systems of Hg methylation, would impact result interpretation of this approach. We thus suggest that the design of inhibition assays should consider the environmental properties, e.g., background levels of electron acceptors, concentrations of metabolic substrates, and abundances of Hg methylating microbes. We also recommend that inhibitors should be added at multiple concentrations and that observed changes in Hg methylation should be assessed with comprehensive indicators. Revealing the key factors responsible for the improper usage of this method and inadequate interpretation of the results would help optimize inhibition assays for robust predictions of MeHg production in nature.

Keywords

Metabolic inhibitor; methylmercury; methylating microbes; molybdate; bromoethanesulfonate; Dan Tsang

Published in

Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology
2023, Volume: 53, number: 19, pages: 1757-1773
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC

    UKÄ Subject classification

    Environmental Sciences

    Publication identifier

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2023.2183072

    Permanent link to this page (URI)

    https://res.slu.se/id/publ/121559