Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : The distribution, partition and speciation of mercury (Hg) were studied along the redox gradient of an anthropogenically perturbed tropical estuary, the Sinnamary Estuary in French Guiana. This system is a partially mixed estuary characterized by an anoxic freshwater end-member, while the marine end member consists of the Amazon Plume. The set up of an artificial oxygenation system in the anoxic freshwater end-member generates sharp gradients of major chemical species (iron, sulfides, etc.) coupled with intense organic matter (OM) turnover. The coexistence of oxygenated waters and dissolved sulfides in an organic rich environment depicts the Upper Sinnamary Estuary (USE: part of Sinnamary Estuary under the tidal influence but upstream of the salt intrusion) as a potential site for Hg methylation. The concentrations of all mercurial species (HgT) in the unfiltered samples (HgTUNF), in the dissolved (HgTD) and particulate (HgTP) phases of the USE average 11 ± 3, 6 ± 2 and 5 ± 3 (i.e. 600 ± 200 pmol g-1) pmol L-1 respectively. Average concentrations of monomethylmercury (MMHg) in the unfiltered (MMHgUNF), dissolved (MMHgD) and particulate (MMHgP) phases were 3.7 ± 1.0, 2.0 ± 0.9 and 1.8 ± 1.2 (i.e. 220 ± 130 pmol g-1) pmol L-1 respectively. Water oxygenation and sulfides concentrations emerged to play a critical role in controlling MMHg levels. Additionally, iron cycling, acid-base mechanisms, and edoxdependent processes were involved in the MMHg partitioning between phases. Overall, the USE constitutes a biogeochemical reactor that gathers partitioning and methylation processes. Thepermanent MMHg inputs from the anoxic freshwater end-member combined with the intense endogenous Hg methylation ensures high MMHg levels in both dissolved and particulate phases. To illustrate, the USE exports 60 ± 20 % more MMHgUNF than it imports: 5.5 ± 0.7 vs. 3.5 ± 1.2 kg y-1.
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta (0016-7037) (Elsevier), 2008-07 , Vol. 72 , N. 22 , P. 5416-5430

Droits : 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2008/publication-4223.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.gca.2008.08.021
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/4223/

Éditeur(s) : EDP Sciences
Résumé : The present work was carried out on the hydroelectric reservoir Petit-Saut on the Sinnamary river in French Guiana. Measurements were performed during the wet and dry seasons along a longitudinal gradient, from upstream of the reservoir in two inflow rivers, to the Sinnamary estuary downstream of the dam. Gold extraction has led to a marked increase in suspended matter and total mercury (HgT) in one of the rivers. Dissolved monomethylmercury (MMHg) measured in surface waters were similar for both rivers: 0.03-0.05 ng l(-1) (1.0-1.7% of the dissolved HgT). These results indicate similar methylation efficiency and/or transfer of MMHg into the dissolved fraction of the water column, independently of the amounts of inorganic mercury transported. Dissolved MMHg concentrations in surface waters of the reservoir were similar to those in the rivers, but were more than 10 times higher in deep anoxic waters, up to 0.6 ng l(-1) (20 % of dissolved HgT). The MMHg concentration profiles in the water column suggest that methylation occurs mainly in anoxic waters and sediments in relation with the activity of sulfate reducing bacteria. Dissolved MMHg concentrations measured in the Sinnamary at the base of the dam were still high (0.5 - 0.6 ng l(-1); 20 to 35% of the dissolved HgT).
Journal de Physique IV (1155-4339) (EDP Sciences), 2003-05 , Vol. 107 , P. 327-331

Droits : EDP Sciences
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2003/publication-5283.pdf
DOI:10.1051/jp4:20030308
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/5283/