Aurélien Dommergue

The fate of mercury species in a sub-arctic snowpack during snowmelt

An extensive mercury study was conducted in April 2002 prior to and during the annual melting of a snowpack in a sub-arctic site along the Hudson Bay (Canada). Gas-phase measurements show that the snowmelt coincides with an elemental mercury (Hg°) pulse in the snowpack air far above ambient levels. Additional measurements of inorganic mercury (Hg2+) and methylmercury (MeHg+) in snow pits, in surface snow and in a meltwater sample clearly reveal that most of Hg is removed from the snow during the first days of snowmelt. We estimate that gas-phase exchanges contribute poorly to remove Hg from the snowpack; consequently during a snowmelt day more than 90% of Hg present in the snow surface is likely released with the meltwater. In arctic areas, where Hg accumulates at an accelerated rate in the snow surfaces [Lu et al., 2001] during mercury depletion events (MDE), the discharge of this toxic and bio-accumulating pollutant in water systems could be a threat to ecosystems and local indigenous populations.

Microbial sequences retrieved from environmental samples from seasonal Arctic snow and meltwater from Svalbard, Norway

Abstract16S rRNA gene (rrs) clone libraries were constructed from two snow samples (May 11, 2007 and June 7, 2007) and two meltwater samples collected during the spring of 2007 in Svalbard, Norway (79°N). The libraries covered 19 different microbial classes, including Betaproteobacteria (21.3%), Sphingobacteria (16.4%), Flavobacteria (9.0%), Acidobacteria (7.7%) and Alphaproteobacteria (6.5%). Significant differences were detected between the two sets of sample libraries. First, the meltwater libraries had the highest community richness (Chao1: 103.2 and 152.2) and Shannon biodiversity indices (between 3.38 and 3.59), when compared with the snow libraries (Chao1: 14.8 and 59.7; Shannon index: 1.93 and 3.01). Second, ∫-LIBSHUFF analyses determined that the bacterial communities in the snow libraries were significantly different from those of the meltwater libraries. Despite these differences, our data also support the theory that a common core group of microbial populations exist within a variety of cryohabitats.

Polar firn air reveals large-scale impact of anthropogenic mercury emissions during the 1970s.

Mercury (Hg) is an extremely toxic pollutant, and its biogeochemical cycle has been perturbed by anthropogenic emissions during recent centuries. In the atmosphere, gaseous elemental mercury (GEM; Hg°) is the predominant form of mercury (up to 95%). Here we report the evolution of atmospheric levels of GEM in mid- to high-northern latitudes inferred from the interstitial air of firn (perennial snowpack) at Summit, Greenland. GEM concentrations increased rapidly after World War II from ≈1.5 ng m−3 reaching a maximum of ≈3 ng m−3 around 1970 and decreased until stabilizing at ≈1.7 ng m−3 around 1995. This reconstruction reproduces real-time measurements available from the Arctic since 1995 and exhibits the same general trend observed in Europe since 1990. Anthropogenic emissions caused a two-fold rise in boreal atmospheric GEM concentrations before the 1970s, which likely contributed to higher deposition of mercury in both industrialized and remotes areas. Once deposited, this toxin becomes available for methylation and, subsequently, the contamination of ecosystems. Implementation of air pollution regulations, however, enabled a large-scale decline in atmospheric mercury levels during the 1980s. The results shown here suggest that potential increases in emissions in the coming decades could have a similar large-scale impact on atmospheric Hg levels.

Speciation analysis of mercury in seawater from the lagoon of Venice by on-line pre-concentration HPLC-ICP-MS

A method based on the coupling of HPLC with ICP-MS with an on-line pre-concentration micro-column has been developed for the analysis of inorganic and methyl mercury in the dissolved phase of natural waters. This method allows the rapid pre-concentration and matrix removal of interferences in complex matrices such as seawater with minimal sampling handling. Detection limits of 0.07 ng L(-1) for inorganic mercury and 0.02 ng L(-1) for methyl mercury have been achieved allowing the determination of inorganic mercury and methyl mercury in filtered seawater from the Venice lagoon. Good accuracy and reproducibility was demonstrated by the repeat analysis of the certified reference material BCR-579 coastal seawater. The developed HPLC separation was shown to be also suitable for the determination of methyl mercury in extracts of the particulate phase.

Deposition of Mercury Species in the Ny-Ålesund Area (79°N) and Their Transfer during Snowmelt

Arctic snowpacks are often considered as temporary reservoirs for atmospheric mercury (Hg) deposited during springtime deposition events (AMDEs). The fate of deposited species is of utmost importance because melt leads to the transfer of contaminants to snowmelt-fed ecosystems. Here, we examined the deposition, fate, and transfer of mercury species (total Hg (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg)) in an arctic environment from the beginning of mass deposition of Hg during AMDEs to the full melt of the snow. Following these events, important amounts of THg were deposited onto the snow surface with concentrations reaching 373 ng.L(-1) and estimated deposition fluxes of 200-2160 ng.m(-2). Most of the deposited Hg was re-emitted to the atmosphere via photochemical reactions. However, a fraction remained stored in the snow and we estimated that the spring melt contributed to an input of 1.5-3.6 kg.year(-1) of THg to the fjord (i.e., 8-21% of the fjords THg content). A monitoring of MeHg in snow using a new technique (DGT sensors) is also presented.

Diurnal production of gaseous mercury in the alpine snowpack before snowmelt

In March 2005, an extensive mercury study was performed just before snowmelt at Col de Porte, an alpine site close to Grenoble, France. Total mercury concentration in the snowpack ranged from 80 +/- 08 to 160 +/- 15 ng l(-1), while reactive mercury was below detection limit (0.2 ng l(-1)). We observed simultaneously a production of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) in the top layer of the snowpack and an emission flux from the snow surface to the atmosphere. Both phenomena were well correlated with solar irradiation, indicating photo-induced reactions in the snow interstitial air (SIA). The mean daily flux of GEM from the snowpack was estimated at similar to 9 ng m(-2) d(-1). No depletion of GEM concentrations was observed in the SIA, suggesting no occurrence of oxidation processes. The presence of liquid water in the snowpack clearly enhanced GEM production in the SIA. Laboratory flux chamber measurements enabled us to confirm that GEM production from this alpine snowpack was first driven by solar radiation (especially UVA and UVB radiation), and then by liquid water in the snowpack. Finally, a large GEM emission from the snow surface occurred during snowmelt, and we report total mercury concentrations in meltwater of about 72 ng l(-1).

Atmospheric mercury concentrations observed at ground-based monitoring sites globally distributed in the framework of the GMOS network

Long-term monitoring of data of ambient mercury (Hg) on a global scale to assess its emission, transport, atmospheric chemistry, and deposition processes is vital to understanding the impact of Hg pollution on the environment. The Global Mercury Observation System (GMOS) project was funded by the European Commission (http://www.gmos.eu) and started in November 2010 with the overall goal to develop a coordinated global observing system to monitor Hg on a global scale, including a large network of ground-based monitoring stations, ad hoc periodic oceanographic cruises and measurement flights in the lower and upper troposphere as well as in the lower stratosphere. To date, more than 40 ground-based monitoring sites constitute the global network covering many regions where little to no observational data were available before GMOS. This work presents atmospheric Hg concentrations recorded worldwide in the framework of the GMOS project (2010-2015), analyzing Hg measurement results in terms of temporal trends, seasonality and comparability within the network. Major findings highlighted in this paper include a clear gradient of Hg concentrations between the Northern and Southern hemispheres, confirming that the gradient observed is mostly driven by local and regional sources, which can be anthropogenic, natural or a combination of both.

Mercury speciation in the French seasonal snow cover

Snow samples have been collected in the French Alps in 1998, 1999 and 2000 in order to measure both total Hg (HgT) and reactive Hg (HgR). Concentrations of HgT were between 13 and 130 pg g(-1) and HgR concentrations were below the detection limit (approximately 0.8 pg g(-1)). Hg speciation in snow was evaluated on the basis of ionic complexation equilibrium with chloride, hydroxide, oxalate. The pH of the snow was found to be an important parameter for Hg speciation. For pH values near 3, HgC2O4 is predominant in snow samples except for snow strongly influenced by anthropogenic sources (in which case HgCl2 predominates). When pH > 4, Hg(OH)2 and HgOHCl are predominant. These latter pH values are observed for precipitation not influenced by anthropogenic sources but more by soil erosion, e.g. Saharan dusts. The knowledge of Hgr speciation in snow is a key question for understanding the mechanisms of transformation of these complexes in snow after precipitation.

Influence of anthropogenic sources on total gaseous mercury variability in grenoble suburban air (France)

Total gaseous mercury (TGM) has been monitored at Champ sur Drac, a suburban site of Grenoble in southern east France. TGM measurements have been made over 4 periods of approximately 10 days throughout 1999-2000 using cold vapour atomic fluorescence absorption technique. The first monitoring campaign was initiated on November 4, 1999, followed by three other campaigns respectively on January 12, 2000, April 10, 2000 and July 17, 2000. Concurrent monitoring of O3, NO, NO2, SO2 and of meteorological parameters have also been performed. The mean TGM concentration was 3.4 ng m(-3) with maximum hourly mean concentration of 37.1 ng m(-3). Although mean TGM concentration was not greatly different from those previously measured in the troposphere, the greater TGM variability as well as the occurrence of high TGM concentration linked to particular wind conditions suggested the strong influence of anthropogenic sources. The chlor-alkali plant located nearby, the others chemical industries using fuel combustion and the municipal waste incinerator were thought to contribute to mercury pollution events.

The Dynamic Arctic Snow Pack: An Unexplored Environment for Microbial Diversity and Activity

The Arctic environment is undergoing changes due to climate shifts, receiving contaminants from distant sources and experiencing increased human activity. Climate change may alter microbial functioning by increasing growth rates and substrate use due to increased temperature. This may lead to changes of process rates and shifts in the structure of microbial communities. Biodiversity may increase as the Arctic warms and population shifts occur as psychrophilic/psychrotolerant species disappear in favor of more mesophylic ones. In order to predict how ecological processes will evolve as a function of global change, it is essential to identify which populations participate in each process, how they vary physiologically, and how the relative abundance, activity and community structure will change under altered environmental conditions. This review covers aspects of the importance and implication of snowpack in microbial ecology emphasizing the diversity and activity of these critical members of cold zone ecosystems.