methylmercury
Geomicrobiology | SpotlightGenome-Resolved Metagenomics and Detailed Geochemical Speciation Analyses Yield New Insights into Microbial Mercury Cycling in Geothermal SpringsLittle is currently known about biogeochemical mercury cycling in geothermal systems. The manuscript presents a new conceptual model, supported by genome-resolved metagenomic analysis and detailed geochemical measurements. The model illustrates environmental factors that influence mercury cycling in acidic springs, including transitions between solid (mineral) and aqueous phases of mercury, as well as the interconnections among mercury...
Environmental MicrobiologySynergistic Effects of a Chalkophore, Methanobactin, on Microbial Methylation of MercurySome anaerobic microorganisms convert inorganic mercury (Hg) into the neurotoxin methylmercury, which can bioaccumulate and biomagnify in the food web. While the genetic basis of microbial mercury methylation is known, factors that control net methylmercury production in the environment are still poorly understood. Here, it is shown that mercury methylation can be substantially enhanced by one form of an exogenous copper-binding...
Microbial Ecology | SpotlightPeriphyton and Flocculent Materials Are Important Ecological Compartments Supporting Abundant and Diverse Mercury Methylator Assemblages in the Florida EvergladesMethylmercury is a potent neurotoxin that impacts the health of humans and wildlife. Most mercury in wetlands such as the Florida Everglades enters as inorganic mercury via atmospheric deposition, some of which is transformed to the more toxic methylmercury through the activities of anaerobic microorganisms. We investigated the numbers and phylogenetic diversity of hgcAB, genes that are linked to mercury methylation, in the...
Environmental MicrobiologyKinetics of Enzymatic Mercury Methylation at Nanomolar Concentrations Catalyzed by HgcABThe concentration of Hg in the biosphere has increased dramatically over the last century as a result of industrial activities. The microbial conversion of inorganic Hg to MeHg is a global public health concern due to bioaccumulation and biomagnification of MeHg in food webs. Exposure to neurotoxic MeHg through the consumption of fish represents a significant risk to human health and can result in neuropathies and developmental...
- Environmental MicrobiologyCarbon Amendments Alter Microbial Community Structure and Net Mercury Methylation Potential in Sediments