Molecular composition of organic matter controls methylmercury formation in boreal lakes

Andrea G. Bravo; Sylvain Bouchet; Julie Tolu; Erik Björn; Alejandro Mateos-Rivera; Stefan Bertilsson

doi:10.1038/ncomms14255

Nature Communications (Feb 2017)

Molecular composition of organic matter controls methylmercury formation in boreal lakes

Andrea G. Bravo,
Sylvain Bouchet,
Julie Tolu,
Erik Björn,
Alejandro Mateos-Rivera,
Stefan Bertilsson

Affiliations

Andrea G. Bravo: Department of Ecology and Genetics, Limnology and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University
Sylvain Bouchet: Department of Chemistry, Umeå University
Julie Tolu: Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University
Erik Björn: Department of Chemistry, Umeå University
Alejandro Mateos-Rivera: Department of Ecology and Genetics, Limnology and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University
Stefan Bertilsson: Department of Ecology and Genetics, Limnology and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms14255
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 8, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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Neurotoxic methylmercury can be found in high levels in aquatic systems, but the role of organic matter in methylmercury formation is not well understood. Here, Bravoet al. show that plankton-derived organic compounds enhance formation rates in boreal lakes.

Published in Nature Communications

ISSN: 2041-1723 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science
Website: https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

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