This study investigates the mercury isotopic composition of a 1500-year sediment profile from the Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctica, heavily influenced by seal activities. The mass-independent isotope fractionation of mercury (Δ¹⁹⁹Hg) reflects changes in methylmercury photodemethylation, a process modulated by sea ice. Higher Δ¹⁹⁹Hg values during a warm period (-700 to -1000 years ago) indicate increased photodemethylation due to reduced sea ice. This demonstrates the use of mercury isotopes as a proxy for reconstructing historical sea ice changes in the Antarctic.
Publisher
Communications Earth & Environment
Published On
Jul 14, 2023
Authors
Hongwei Liu, Wang Zheng, Bridget A. Bergquist, Yuesong Gao, Fange Yue, Lianjiao Yang, Liguang Sun, Zhouqing Xie
Tags
mercury isotopes
methylmercury
sediment profile
Antarctica
sea ice
photodemethylation
environmental changes
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