Coupling Between Methylmercury and Carbon‐Gases Across Boreal Rivers of Québec, Canada

Abstract We examine correlations between mercury (Hg) and carbon (C) concentrations and speciation by synthesizing 526 river water samples across three distinct regions in Québec, Canada (48° to 55°N and 62° to 80°W). Positive correlations between methylmercury (MeHg) per unit Hg and C‐gases per uni...

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Main Authors: A. Campeau, M. Amyot, P. delGiorgio, C. Fink‐Mercier, M. Wauthy, D. E. Ponton, J.‐F. Lapierre
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-07-01
Series:Geophysical Research Letters
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL115080
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author A. Campeau
M. Amyot
P. delGiorgio
C. Fink‐Mercier
M. Wauthy
D. E. Ponton
J.‐F. Lapierre
author_facet A. Campeau
M. Amyot
P. delGiorgio
C. Fink‐Mercier
M. Wauthy
D. E. Ponton
J.‐F. Lapierre
author_sort A. Campeau
collection DOAJ
description Abstract We examine correlations between mercury (Hg) and carbon (C) concentrations and speciation by synthesizing 526 river water samples across three distinct regions in Québec, Canada (48° to 55°N and 62° to 80°W). Positive correlations between methylmercury (MeHg) per unit Hg and C‐gases per unit dissolved organic carbon suggest Hg‐C co‐transformation within rivers. Correlations between MeHg and methane (CH4) concentrations strengthen when adjusted for oxidation, revealing an association that goes beyond the established link between fermentation and Hg methylation in anoxic environments. These correlations persist but are manifested differently across regions. Colder, wetland‐dominated regions indicated stronger terrestrial co‐loading, while warmer and more recently impounded systems exhibited more co‐transformation. These findings emphasize the interconnected biogeochemical cycles of Hg‐C in northern rivers and highlight the importance of landscape characteristics influencing their coupling.
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series Geophysical Research Letters
spelling doaj-art-d188da273c0047c598d3da3d3e17a7842025-08-20T02:46:20ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072025-07-015214n/an/a10.1029/2025GL115080Coupling Between Methylmercury and Carbon‐Gases Across Boreal Rivers of Québec, CanadaA. Campeau0M. Amyot1P. delGiorgio2C. Fink‐Mercier3M. Wauthy4D. E. Ponton5J.‐F. Lapierre6Department of Geography University of Montréal Montréal QC CanadaGroupe de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie (GRIL) Montréal QC CanadaGroupe de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie (GRIL) Montréal QC CanadaDepartment of Biological Sciences University of Montréal Montréal QC CanadaDepartment of Biological Sciences University of Montréal Montréal QC CanadaGroupe de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie (GRIL) Montréal QC CanadaGroupe de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie (GRIL) Montréal QC CanadaAbstract We examine correlations between mercury (Hg) and carbon (C) concentrations and speciation by synthesizing 526 river water samples across three distinct regions in Québec, Canada (48° to 55°N and 62° to 80°W). Positive correlations between methylmercury (MeHg) per unit Hg and C‐gases per unit dissolved organic carbon suggest Hg‐C co‐transformation within rivers. Correlations between MeHg and methane (CH4) concentrations strengthen when adjusted for oxidation, revealing an association that goes beyond the established link between fermentation and Hg methylation in anoxic environments. These correlations persist but are manifested differently across regions. Colder, wetland‐dominated regions indicated stronger terrestrial co‐loading, while warmer and more recently impounded systems exhibited more co‐transformation. These findings emphasize the interconnected biogeochemical cycles of Hg‐C in northern rivers and highlight the importance of landscape characteristics influencing their coupling.https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL115080carbonmercuryriversborealreservoirsgreenhouse gases
spellingShingle A. Campeau
M. Amyot
P. delGiorgio
C. Fink‐Mercier
M. Wauthy
D. E. Ponton
J.‐F. Lapierre
Coupling Between Methylmercury and Carbon‐Gases Across Boreal Rivers of Québec, Canada
Geophysical Research Letters
carbon
mercury
rivers
boreal
reservoirs
greenhouse gases
title Coupling Between Methylmercury and Carbon‐Gases Across Boreal Rivers of Québec, Canada
title_full Coupling Between Methylmercury and Carbon‐Gases Across Boreal Rivers of Québec, Canada
title_fullStr Coupling Between Methylmercury and Carbon‐Gases Across Boreal Rivers of Québec, Canada
title_full_unstemmed Coupling Between Methylmercury and Carbon‐Gases Across Boreal Rivers of Québec, Canada
title_short Coupling Between Methylmercury and Carbon‐Gases Across Boreal Rivers of Québec, Canada
title_sort coupling between methylmercury and carbon gases across boreal rivers of quebec canada
topic carbon
mercury
rivers
boreal
reservoirs
greenhouse gases
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL115080
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