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. 2013 Nov 25:3:3322.
doi: 10.1038/srep03322.

Atmospheric mercury inputs in montane soils increase with elevation: evidence from mercury isotope signatures

Hua Zhang  1 , Run-sheng Yin, Xin-bin Feng, Jonas Sommar, Christopher W N Anderson, Atindra Sapkota, Xue-wu Fu, Thorjørn Larssen
Affiliations

Atmospheric mercury inputs in montane soils increase with elevation: evidence from mercury isotope signatures

Hua Zhang et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

The influence of topography on the biogeochemical cycle of mercury (Hg) has received relatively little attention. Here, we report the measurement of Hg species and their corresponding isotope composition in soil sampled along an elevational gradient transect on Mt. Leigong in subtropical southwestern China. The data are used to explain orography-related effects on the fate and behaviour of Hg species in montane environments. The total- and methyl-Hg concentrations in topsoil samples show a positive correlation with elevation. However, a negative elevation dependence was observed in the mass-dependent fractionation (MDF) and mass-independent fractionation (MIF) signatures of Hg isotopes. Both a MIF (Δ(199)Hg) binary mixing approach and the traditional inert element method indicate that the content of Hg derived from the atmosphere distinctly increases with altitude.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Scatter plots of soil THg and MeHg contents (upper panel), soil Ti content (centre panel) and calculated enrichment factors (EF(Hg) = (Hg/Ti)soil/(Hg/Ti)crust) (lower panel) versus elevation.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Scatter plots of mean δXXXHg (upper panel) and mean ΔxxxHg (MIF, lower panel) isotope ratios in surface soil versus elevation.
All error bars represent ± 2 s.d.
Figure 3
Figure 3. A comparison of the relationship between Δ199Hg and Δ201Hg from various studies (MIE = magnetic isotope effect; NVE = nuclear volume effect).
Figure 4
Figure 4. Predicted fractional contribution (%) of atmospheric input to the soil THg level as a function of elevation using the isotope ratio method (closed circles, left ordinate axis) and the inert element method (open circles, right ordinate axis).
Figure 5
Figure 5. Illustration of potential mechanisms for mercury magnification in montane soils (by Hua Zhang and Jonas Sommar).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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