Article
Engineering, Environmental
Eric Capo, Caiyan Feng, Andrea G. Bravo, Stefan Bertilsson, Anne L. Soerensen, Jarone Pinhassi, Moritz Buck, Camilla Karlsson, Jeffrey Hawkes, Erik Bjorn
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between hgc genes and MeHg in the redox-stratified water columns of the Baltic Sea. The findings showed that hgc transcript abundance and the concentration of dissolved Hg-II-sulfide species were strong predictors of Hg-II methylation rate and MeHg concentration. The study also highlighted the versatility of putative Hg-II methylators in the water column of the Baltic Sea through genome reconstruction.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Adriano Sfriso, Alessandro Buosi, Yari Tomio, Abdul-Salam Juhmani, Michele Mistri, Cristina Munari, Andrea Augusto Sfriso
Summary: The analysis of nutrient concentrations in surface sediments is a reliable tool for assessing the trophic status of a water body, with nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations being mainly driven by anthropogenic impacts. Results from the Adriatic Sea show the effectiveness of this approach, providing useful information on recent trophic changes and environmental conditions. Studies in the Venice lagoon and other lagoons demonstrate varying nutrient levels and causes of changes, with some areas experiencing eutrophication while others showing signs of environmental recovery.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Urszula Kwasigroch, Magdalena Beldowska, Agnieszka Jedruch, Katarzyna Lukawska-Matuszewska
Summary: The study investigated the levels of mercury and its forms in surface sediments of the Baltic Sea, finding that Hg concentrations were highest in industrialized areas and regions affected by historical activities. Labile Hg fractions, mainly organic compounds, were found to be dominant and potentially release into the water column, impacting the trophic chain. Despite reduced Hg emissions, surface sediments remain a significant secondary Hg source in the Baltic Sea ecosystem.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chenghao Yu, Huiming Lin, Junming Guo, Mao Peng, Maodian Liu, Yindong Tong, Yifan Lu, Xuejun Wang, Xiangliang Pan
Summary: This study investigates the impact of riverine mercury inputs on nearshore waters and the influence of anthropogenic activities on downstream seas. Through field surveys and mass balance models, the study reveals the significant role of rivers in mercury pollution and provides valuable information for water resource management to mitigate methylmercury risks.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Laura Balzer, Carluvy Baptista-Salazar, Sofi Jonsson, Harald Biester
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between total mercury (THg) and monomethylmercury (MeHg) in sinking seston and chemical changes. The results showed that MeHg proportions were highest in oxygen super saturation at the water surface and at the oxic-suboxic redox boundary. The concentrations of MeHg and THg in seston were strongly influenced by the decomposition of algal biomass in shallow eutrophic lakes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hongwei Luo, Qianqian Cheng, Dongqin He, Ganning Zeng, Jianqiang Sun, Jun Li, Xiangliang Pan
Summary: This study investigated the influence of solar radiation and sulfide addition reaction on the complexation of methylmercury (MeHg) with dissolved organic matter (DOM). Fluorescence and FT-IR spectroscopic analysis showed that different treatments resulted in changes in the affinity of binding sites in DOM for MeHg.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ian N. Krout, Thomas Scrimale, Daria Vorojeikina, Eric S. Boyd, Matthew D. Rand
Summary: The organomercurial lyase enzyme MerB is capable of MeHg demethylation without subsequent reduction of Hg(II) by the mercuric reductase enzyme MerA. Demethylation of MeHg without Hg(II) reduction leads to increased cytotoxicity and cell lysis. Microbes carrying only MerB have been recently identified but not characterized. Our findings suggest that mer operons encoding MerB but not MerA put the cell at a disadvantage in the context of MeHg exposure, unless additional mechanisms of reduction or Hg(II) sequestration exist.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Miyuki Iwai-Shimada, Yayoi Kobayashi, Tomohiko Isobe, Shoji E. Nakayama, Makiko Sekiyama, Yu Taniguchi, Shin Yamazaki, Takehiro Michikawa, Masako Oda, Hiroshi Mitsubuchi, Masafumi Sanefuji, Shouichi Ohga, Nathan Mise, Akihiko Ikegami, Reiko Suga, Masayuki Shimono
Summary: Prenatal exposure to methylmercury can impact child development. This study compared two high-throughput methods for mercury speciation and found relatively good agreement between them. MeHg and IHg concentrations were determined in maternal and cord blood samples, highlighting the importance of analyzing different chemical forms for health effects.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuping Xiang, Ailing Zhu, Yingying Guo, Guangliang Liu, Baowei Chen, Bin He, Yong Liang, Yongguang Yin, Yong Cai, Guibin Jiang
Summary: Iron sulfide nanoparticles (FeSNp) have shown to significantly reduce the bioavailability of both Hg(II) and MeHg in aquatic environments, inhibiting MeHg production and integration into food webs, although there is a potential risk of release when the sorbed contaminants are oxidized, increasing exposure risk to aquatic organisms. These findings provide valuable information for the development of in situ Hg remediation systems.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chongyang Qin, Xiaoyu Xu
Summary: This study investigated the potential for mercury (Hg) methylation in two different aquatic systems. One system, Fourmile Creek (FMC), had a history of Hg pollution from groundwater, while the other, the H02 constructed wetland, only received atmospheric Hg deposition. The study found that FMC had a stronger Hg methylation potential and higher Hg bioavailability compared to the H02 wetland, which was attributed to differences in microbial communities. This study highlights the importance of long-term monitoring and sustainable ecological modifications for Hg-contaminated sites.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Stefanie Helmrich, Dimitri Vlassopoulos, Charles N. Alpers, Peggy A. O'Day
Summary: Mercury is a global health concern, especially harmful for fetuses and children. Methylmercury is an environmentally relevant form of mercury, and its production and transformation rates are crucial for management.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Agnese Giacomino, Andrea Ruo Redda, Rocco Caligiuri, Paolo Inaudi, Stefania Squadrone, Maria Cesarina Abete, Ornella Abollino, Sara Morandi, Eleonora Conca, Mery Malandrino
Summary: A portable measurement and speciation procedure for inorganic mercury (HgIN) and methylmercury (CH3Hg) was developed, showing comparable quantification results to Direct Mercury Analyser (DMA). The new homemade sorbent demonstrated selectivity for HgIN and stability during retention tests. Overall, the portable method offers a convenient and reliable way to determine mercury species in samples.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dandan Duan, Pei Lei, Wenlu Lan, Tianshen Li, Hao Zhang, Huan Zhong, Ke Pan
Summary: This study investigated the concentrations of total mercury and methylmercury in sediments from seven mangrove forests in China, finding that litterfall plays a significant role in regulating the levels of mercury. The organic matter in the sediments was predominantly derived from litterfall, influencing the accumulation of MeHg. Furthermore, the addition of mangrove litter stimulated the production of MeHg under anaerobic conditions, suggesting that litterfall acts as a source of inorganic Hg and labile carbon, facilitating Hg methylation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Dominik Voros, Patricia Diaz Baizan, Karel Slavicek, Mercedes Diaz-Somoano, Eva Gerslova
Summary: This study investigates the distribution and speciation of mercury (Hg) in stream sediments impacted by coal mining in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Czechia. The results suggest that Hg enrichment and speciation are predominantly linked to industrial processes, with coal and associated sedimentary rocks exhibiting lower Hg concentrations compared to stream sediments. The main identified Hg species is stable & beta;-HgS, which limits its mobility in the riverine environment.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chenghao Yu, Wenjie Xiao, Yunping Xu, Xuejun Sun, Mingyue Li, Huiming Lin, Yindong Tong, Han Xie, Xuejun Wang
Summary: Mercury, especially in the form of methylmercury, is a global pollutant with aquatic products being a major source of human exposure. The Bohai and Yellow seas in China have experienced an increase in THg levels over the years with a decrease in Yellow River THg input. Higher MeHg levels were found in surface sediments of the Bohai and Yellow seas compared to the East China Sea, with extremely high levels in the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass area, suggesting potential ecological and human health risks in the region.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Elisa Petranich, Sergio Predonzani, Alessandro Acquavita, Nikolay Mashyanov, Stefano Covelli
Summary: Thermal desorption technique coupled with atomic absorption spectrometry is a rapid and cost-effective method for identifying and quantifying mercury species in aquatic environments. By mixing different matrices, the desorption peak temperatures for each mercury species can be determined.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Federico Floreani, Alessandro Acquavita, Nicolo Barago, Katja Klun, Jadran Faganeli, Stefano Covelli
Summary: This study evaluated the seasonal exchanges of gaseous mercury at the water-air interface in two freshwater environments impacted by human activities and one pristine site. The results showed that sites affected by human activities had higher mercury fluxes, while sites with limited vertical mixing and saltwater intrusion had lower fluxes. Additionally, the study suggested the presence of unidentified mercury inputs, possibly from atmospheric deposition or local geology.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tamara Cibic, Laura Baldassarre, Federica Cerino, Cinzia Comici, Daniela Fornasaro, Martina Kralj, Michele Giani
Summary: This study quantified the contributions of benthic and pelagic organisms to total primary production in a coastal site using an integrated approach. The results showed that nutrient availability had a greater impact on the seasonal development of phytoplankton and microphytobenthos and primary production than physical variables.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Stefano Covelli, Alessandro Acquavita, Efren Garcia-Ordiales
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gianmarco Ingrosso, Michele Giani, Martina Kralj, Cinzia Comici, Paola Rivaro, Giorgio Budillon, Pasquale Castagno, Luca Zoccarato, Mauro Celussi
Summary: The Antarctic continental shelf is an important sink for anthropogenic carbon dioxide, but climate change is altering its carbon cycle. Summer biological activity plays a key role in the sequestration of anthropogenic carbon.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Abed El Rahman Hassoun, Ashley Bantelman, Donata Canu, Steeve Comeau, Charles Galdies, Jean-Pierre Gattuso, Michele Giani, Michael Grelaud, Iris Eline Hendriks, Valeria Ibello, Mohammed Idrissi, Evangelia Krasakopoulou, Nayrah Shaltout, Cosimo Solidoro, Peter W. W. Swarzenski, Patrizia Ziveri
Summary: This paper systematically analyzes the current status, trends, and gaps in ocean acidification (OA) research in the Mediterranean region. It highlights uneven geographic research capacity, poor quantification of the carbonate system in coastal zones, and the lack of studies on certain organism groups. The paper also points out the overall scarcity of socio-economic, paleontological, and modeling studies, as well as the absence of consistent OA policies in the Mediterranean Sea. Recommendations are provided to address these knowledge gaps.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Federico Floreani, Valeria Zappella, Jadran Faganeli, Stefano Covelli
Summary: In this study, the fluxes of gaseous elemental mercury (Hg0) at the soil-air interface were evaluated in the Isonzo River plain. It was found that there was a significant correlation between Hg0 fluxes and soil Hg content in summer and autumn, but not in winter. Vegetation cover effectively reduced Hg0 releases in summer and autumn.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nicolo Barago, Elena Pavoni, Federico Floreani, Matteo Crosera, Gianpiero Adami, Davide Lenaz, Francesca Larese Filon, Stefano Covelli
Summary: Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) is a commonly used geochemical technique for multi-elemental analysis screening in contaminated sites management. Efforts have been made to study the quality of pXRF, especially for less investigated elements such as mercury (Hg) and antimony (Sb), to assist both new and experienced users. Environmental solid samples from two decommissioned mining sites in NE Italy were analyzed and compared with traditional destructive analyses. The study found that sample composition was closely related to the occurrence of false positives and overestimation at low concentrations.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Amira Saidi, Elisa Banchi, Viviana Fonti, Vincenzo Manna, Cinzia De Vittor, Michele Giani, Francesca Malfatti, Mauro Celussi
Summary: Shallow-water hydrothermal vents are extreme environments characterized by high temperatures, low pH, and high CO2 concentrations. This study investigated the influence of these vents on prokaryotic community structure and functioning. The results showed that the microbial abundance and production were shaped by the water column's physical structure, and certain enzymatic activities were enhanced by hydrothermal fluids. Overall, this study provides insights into the coupling between microbial community structure and the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients in low-pH conditions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michele Giani, Nives Ogrinc, Samo Tamse, Stefano Cozzi
Summary: The response of coastal systems to global acidification depends strongly on river inputs, which can alter the total alkalinity (A(T)) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in seawater. The northern Adriatic Sea (NAd) is a shallow continental shelf region that currently receives about 15% of the total freshwater input in the Mediterranean Sea, where the role of riverine discharges on the carbonate system has been poorly studied.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nicola Bettoso, Federico Pittaluga, Sergio Predonzani, Antonella Zanello, Alessandro Acquavita
Summary: This study reveals the presence of mercury contamination, particularly in fish, in the Marano and Grado Lagoon region of Italy. However, the concentration of mercury in water is low, while the content in fish varies depending on species size and habits. The study also indicates that the transferability of mercury between sediment and biota is low, and its impact on human health can be disregarded.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Federico Floreani, Nicolo Barago, Katja Klun, Jadran Faganeli, Stefano Covelli
Summary: The study found that the volatilization of mercury is significantly suppressed in the northern Adriatic Sea due to water turbulence and DGM oxidation, which may increase the risk of mercury methylation and trophic transfer.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Elena Pavoni, Beatrice Campanella, Alessandro Acquavita
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrea Bonometto, Emanuele Ponis, Federica Cacciatore, Elena Riccardi, Silvia Pigozzi, Paolo Parati, Marta Novello, Nicola Ungaro, Alessandro Acquavita, Paola Manconi, Adriano Sfriso, Gianmarco Giordani, Rossella Boscolo Brusa
Summary: Eutrophication is a significant threat to transitional waters and their ecosystem services, and its assessment is crucial for their management. A new multi-index method, incorporating ecological index, trophic index, and physicochemical quality elements, was developed to assess eutrophication, considering both driver and impact indicators. The method was successfully applied to over 100 Italian lagoon sites, revealing the status of eutrophication in these areas.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Elisa Petranich, Sergio Predonzani, Alessandro Acquavita, Nikolay Mashyanov, Stefano Covelli
Summary: The thermal desorption technique combined with atomic absorption spectrometry is a rapid alternative for identifying and quantifying Hg species in solid matrices. This study found that the desorption temperatures of the same Hg species varied depending on the matrix, highlighting the importance of considering the chemical form of the element for environmental management of Hg-contaminated sediments.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2022)