Molecular composition of organic matter controls methylmercury formation in boreal lakes

Andrea G. Bravo (), Sylvain Bouchet, Julie Tolu, Erik Björn, Alejandro Mateos-Rivera and Stefan Bertilsson
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Andrea G. Bravo: Limnology and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University
Sylvain Bouchet: Umeå University
Julie Tolu: Umeå University
Erik Björn: Umeå University
Alejandro Mateos-Rivera: Limnology and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University
Stefan Bertilsson: Limnology and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract A detailed understanding of the formation of the potent neurotoxic methylmercury is needed to explain the large observed variability in methylmercury levels in aquatic systems. While it is known that organic matter interacts strongly with mercury, the role of organic matter composition in the formation of methylmercury in aquatic systems remains poorly understood. Here we show that phytoplankton-derived organic compounds enhance mercury methylation rates in boreal lake sediments through an overall increase of bacterial activity. Accordingly, in situ mercury methylation defines methylmercury levels in lake sediments strongly influenced by planktonic blooms. In contrast, sediments dominated by terrigenous organic matter inputs have far lower methylation rates but higher concentrations of methylmercury, suggesting that methylmercury was formed in the catchment and imported into lakes. Our findings demonstrate that the origin and molecular composition of organic matter are critical parameters to understand and predict methylmercury formation and accumulation in boreal lake sediments.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14255

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