Uncovering mercury accumulation and the potential for bacterial bioremediation in response to contamination in the Singalila National Park
Abstract Several recent investigations into montane regions have reported on excess mercury accumulation in high-altitude forest ecosystems. This study explored the Singalila National Park, located on the Singalila ridge of the Eastern Himalayas, revealing substantial mercury contamination. Particul...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81927-5 |
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| author | Sukanya Acharyya Soumya Majumder Sudeshna Nandi Arindam Ghosh Sumedha Saha Malay Bhattacharya |
| author_facet | Sukanya Acharyya Soumya Majumder Sudeshna Nandi Arindam Ghosh Sumedha Saha Malay Bhattacharya |
| author_sort | Sukanya Acharyya |
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| description | Abstract Several recent investigations into montane regions have reported on excess mercury accumulation in high-altitude forest ecosystems. This study explored the Singalila National Park, located on the Singalila ridge of the Eastern Himalayas, revealing substantial mercury contamination. Particular focus was on Sandakphu (3636 m), the highest peak in West Bengal, India. It harboured 6.77 ± 0.01 mg/kg of total mercury in its topsoil. Further evidence was provided by accumulation in leaves (0.040 ± 0.01 mg/kg), and roots (0.150 ± 0.008 mg/kg) of local vegetation, litterfall (0.234 ± 0.019 mg/kg), mosses (0.367 ± 0.043 mg/kg), surface water from local lakes and waterbodies (0.010 ± 0.005 mg/l), fresh snow (0.014 ± 0.004 mg/l), and sleet (0.019 ± 0.009 mg/l). Samples from other points of varying elevation in the park also demonstrated contamination. The soil displayed a range of 0.068–5.28 mg/kg, while the mean concentration in leaves was 0.153 ± 0.105 mg/kg, roots was 0.106 ± 0.054 mg/kg, and leaf litter was 0.240 ± 0.112 mg/kg. Additionally, the microbial consortia isolated from the contaminated soil displayed a high tolerance to mercuric chloride, presumably gained through repeated and consistent exposure. Four high tolerance bacterial strains, MTS2C, MTS3A, MTS4B and MTS6A, were further characterized for potential use in bioremediation strategies. Their mercury removal capacities were determined to be 82.35%, 75.21%, 61.95%, and 37.47%, respectively. Overall, the findings presented provide evidence for a highly contaminated environment in the Singalila National Park, that poses significant ecological risk to the flora, fauna and local inhabitants of this biodiversity hotspot. This research also highlights the need for further exploration and monitoring of the Eastern Himalayas for its role as a sink for atmospheric mercury. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6cca76704f264351a74477d502c25461 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-6cca76704f264351a74477d502c254612025-02-02T12:23:49ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111610.1038/s41598-024-81927-5Uncovering mercury accumulation and the potential for bacterial bioremediation in response to contamination in the Singalila National ParkSukanya Acharyya0Soumya Majumder1Sudeshna Nandi2Arindam Ghosh3Sumedha Saha4Malay Bhattacharya5Molecular Biology and Tissue Culture Laboratory, Department of Tea Science, University of North BengalMolecular Biology and Tissue Culture Laboratory, Department of Tea Science, University of North BengalMolecular Biology and Tissue Culture Laboratory, Department of Tea Science, University of North BengalMolecular Biology and Tissue Culture Laboratory, Department of Tea Science, University of North BengalMolecular Biology and Tissue Culture Laboratory, Department of Tea Science, University of North BengalMolecular Biology and Tissue Culture Laboratory, Department of Tea Science, University of North BengalAbstract Several recent investigations into montane regions have reported on excess mercury accumulation in high-altitude forest ecosystems. This study explored the Singalila National Park, located on the Singalila ridge of the Eastern Himalayas, revealing substantial mercury contamination. Particular focus was on Sandakphu (3636 m), the highest peak in West Bengal, India. It harboured 6.77 ± 0.01 mg/kg of total mercury in its topsoil. Further evidence was provided by accumulation in leaves (0.040 ± 0.01 mg/kg), and roots (0.150 ± 0.008 mg/kg) of local vegetation, litterfall (0.234 ± 0.019 mg/kg), mosses (0.367 ± 0.043 mg/kg), surface water from local lakes and waterbodies (0.010 ± 0.005 mg/l), fresh snow (0.014 ± 0.004 mg/l), and sleet (0.019 ± 0.009 mg/l). Samples from other points of varying elevation in the park also demonstrated contamination. The soil displayed a range of 0.068–5.28 mg/kg, while the mean concentration in leaves was 0.153 ± 0.105 mg/kg, roots was 0.106 ± 0.054 mg/kg, and leaf litter was 0.240 ± 0.112 mg/kg. Additionally, the microbial consortia isolated from the contaminated soil displayed a high tolerance to mercuric chloride, presumably gained through repeated and consistent exposure. Four high tolerance bacterial strains, MTS2C, MTS3A, MTS4B and MTS6A, were further characterized for potential use in bioremediation strategies. Their mercury removal capacities were determined to be 82.35%, 75.21%, 61.95%, and 37.47%, respectively. Overall, the findings presented provide evidence for a highly contaminated environment in the Singalila National Park, that poses significant ecological risk to the flora, fauna and local inhabitants of this biodiversity hotspot. This research also highlights the need for further exploration and monitoring of the Eastern Himalayas for its role as a sink for atmospheric mercury.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81927-5MercuryHimalayasSoil pollutionMRBSingalila National ParkMountain trapping |
| spellingShingle | Sukanya Acharyya Soumya Majumder Sudeshna Nandi Arindam Ghosh Sumedha Saha Malay Bhattacharya Uncovering mercury accumulation and the potential for bacterial bioremediation in response to contamination in the Singalila National Park Scientific Reports Mercury Himalayas Soil pollution MRB Singalila National Park Mountain trapping |
| title | Uncovering mercury accumulation and the potential for bacterial bioremediation in response to contamination in the Singalila National Park |
| title_full | Uncovering mercury accumulation and the potential for bacterial bioremediation in response to contamination in the Singalila National Park |
| title_fullStr | Uncovering mercury accumulation and the potential for bacterial bioremediation in response to contamination in the Singalila National Park |
| title_full_unstemmed | Uncovering mercury accumulation and the potential for bacterial bioremediation in response to contamination in the Singalila National Park |
| title_short | Uncovering mercury accumulation and the potential for bacterial bioremediation in response to contamination in the Singalila National Park |
| title_sort | uncovering mercury accumulation and the potential for bacterial bioremediation in response to contamination in the singalila national park |
| topic | Mercury Himalayas Soil pollution MRB Singalila National Park Mountain trapping |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81927-5 |
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