Potential decoupling of CO2 and Hg uptake process by global vegetation in the 21st century

Tengfei Yuan, Shaojian Huang, Peng Zhang, Zhengcheng Song, Jun Ge, Xin Miao, Yujuan Wang, Qiaotong Pang, Dong Peng, Peipei Wu, Junjiong Shao, Peipei Zhang, Yabo Wang, Hongyan Guo, Weidong Guo and Yanxu Zhang ()
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Tengfei Yuan: Nanjing University
Shaojian Huang: Nanjing University
Peng Zhang: Nanjing University
Zhengcheng Song: Nanjing University
Jun Ge: Nanjing University
Xin Miao: Nanjing University
Yujuan Wang: Nanjing University
Qiaotong Pang: Nanjing University
Dong Peng: Nanjing University
Peipei Wu: Nanjing University
Junjiong Shao: Zhejiang A&F University
Peipei Zhang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yabo Wang: Yangzhou University
Hongyan Guo: Nanjing University
Weidong Guo: Nanjing University
Yanxu Zhang: Nanjing University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Mercury (Hg), a potent neurotoxin posing risks to human health, is cycled through vegetation uptake, which is susceptible to climate change impacts. However, the extent and pattern of these impacts are largely unknown, obstructing predictions of Hg’s fate in terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we evaluate the effects of climate change on vegetation elemental Hg [Hg(0)] uptake using a state-of-the-art global terrestrial Hg model (CLM5-Hg) that incorporates plant physiology. In a business-as-usual scenario, the terrestrial Hg(0) sink is predicted to decrease by 1870 Mg yr−1 in 2100, that is ~60% lower than the present-day condition. We find a potential decoupling between the trends of CO2 assimilation and Hg(0) uptake process by vegetation in the 21st century, caused by the decreased stomatal conductance with increasing CO2. This implies a substantial influx of Hg into aquatic ecosystems, posing an elevated threat that warrants consideration during the evaluation of the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48849-2

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