Mercury in the Aquatic Environment: A Review of Factors Affecting Methylation

• Published in: Critical reviews in environmental science and technology Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. 241 - 293
• Main Authors: Ullrich, Susanne M., Tanton, Trevor W., Abdrashitova, Svetlana A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Colchester TAYLOR & FRANCIS 01.01.2001; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Aquatic environment; bioaccumulation; Biological and physicochemical phenomena; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; environmental transformation; Exact sciences and technology; Mercury; methylation; methylmercury; Natural water pollution; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; speciation; Water treatment and pollution; Microbial activity; Organic matter; Temperature; Pollutant behavior; Review; Sediments; Heavy metal; Salinity; Sulfides; Biogeochemistry; Medium effect; Methylmercury; pH; Water pollution; Redox potential; Methylation; Mercury; Speciation
• ISSN: 1064-3389; 1547-6537
• DOI: 10.1080/20016491089226

Mercury is one of the most hazardous contaminants that may be present in the aquatic environment, but its ecological and toxicological effects are strongly dependent on the chemical species present. Species distribution and transformation processes in natural aquatic systems are controlled by various physical, chemical, and biological factors. Depending on the prevailing environmental conditions, inorganic mercury species may be converted to many times more toxic methylated forms such as methylmercury, a potent neurotoxin that is readily accumulated by aquatic biota. Despite a considerable amount of literature on the subject, the behavior of mercury and many of the transformation and distribution mechanisms operating in the natural aquatic environment are still poorly understood. This review examines the current state of knowledge on the physicochemical behavior of mercury in the aquatic environment, and in particular the environmental factors influencing its transformation into highly toxic methylated forms.