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Updated: Dec 22, 2025
09:33
An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium
Published on: December 17, 2018
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Microbial mercury methylation in the cryosphere: Progress and prospects.
Prakriti Sharma Ghimire1, Lekhendra Tripathee1, Qianggong Zhang2
1State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Lanzhou 730000, China; Himalayan Environment Research Institute (HERI), Kathmandu, Nepal.
The Science of the Total Environment
|May 9, 2020
Summary
Methylmercury (MeHg) in icy environments poses health risks. This review explores Hg methylation processes in the cryosphere, highlighting microbial roles and knowledge gaps for better risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Geochemistry
- Microbiology
Background:
- Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic heavy metal with its cycle influenced by redox reactions.
- Methylmercury (MeHg) accumulation in cryospheric systems like snow and glaciers raises health concerns.
- Limited understanding exists regarding MeHg sources and methylation rates within cryosphere environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and address knowledge gaps in Hg methylation processes within cryosphere systems.
- To investigate biotic and abiotic factors controlling Hg methylation and biogeochemistry.
- To present recent advancements in understanding Hg methylation mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on Hg deposition, methylation, and transformation in cryosphere.
- Analysis of physical, chemical, microbial, and biological mechanisms of Hg methylation.
- Examination of redox reactions and factors influencing Hg biogeochemistry.
Main Results:
- Hg methylation in the cryosphere is complex, involving physical, chemical, and biological pathways.
- Microbial transformation plays a significant role in Hg methylation and variability.
- Understanding Hg biogeochemistry in icy environments is crucial for risk assessment.
Conclusions:
- Further research is essential to fill knowledge gaps on Hg methylation in the cryosphere.
- Investigating microbial functions and genetic mechanisms can elucidate Hg variability.
- Developing new methods is proposed to address unsolved issues in cryospheric Hg methylation.
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