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Deep sea cold seeps are a sink for mercury and source for methylmercury

Earth Sciences

Deep sea cold seeps are a sink for mercury and source for methylmercury

J. Li, X. Dong, et al.

Discover how seafloor cold seeps could transform our understanding of mercury cycling in the ocean. This innovative research, conducted by Jiwei Li and colleagues, reveals the significant enrichment of mercury and methylmercury in active seep areas and identifies microbes that play a crucial role in their biogeochemical processes.

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Playback language: English
Abstract
This study investigates the role of seafloor cold seeps in mercury (Hg) biogeochemical cycling. Sediment cores from the Haima cold seep in the South China Sea showed significant Hg and methylmercury (MMHg) enrichment in active seep areas compared to inactive and reference areas. Analysis of Hg isotopic composition and metagenomic data revealed the presence of microbes capable of Hg methylation, demethylation, and reduction. The study estimates a substantial global Hg and MMHg storage in cold seeps, suggesting they act as a previously unrecognized sink for Hg and source for MMHg in the deep ocean.
Publisher
Communications Earth & Environment
Published On
Jun 14, 2024
Authors
Jiwei Li, Xiyang Dong, Yongjie Tang, Chuwen Zhang, Yali Yang, Wei Zhang, Shanshan Liu, Wei Yuan, Xinbin Feng, Lars-Eric Heimbürger-Boavida, Feiyue Wang, Lihai Shang, Xiaotong Peng
Tags
seafloor cold seeps
mercury cycling
methylmercury
sediment cores
biogeochemical processes
microbial activity
global storage

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