Eutrophication of fresh waters results in increased CO uptake by primary production, but at the same time increased emissions of CH to the atmosphere. Given the contrasting effects of CO uptake and CH release, the net effect of eutrophication on the CO -equivalent balance of fresh waters is not clear. We measured carbon fluxes (CO and CH diffusion, CH ebullition) and CH oxidation in 20 freshwater mesocosms with 10 different nutrient concentrations (total phosphorus range: mesotrophic 39 µg/L until hypereutrophic 939 µg/L) and planktivorous fish in half of them.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLarge-scale studies are needed to identify the drivers of total mercury (THg) and monomethyl-mercury (MeHg) concentrations in aquatic ecosystems. Studies attempting to link dissolved organic matter (DOM) to levels of THg or MeHg are few and geographically constrained. Additionally, stream and river systems have been understudied as compared to lakes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Toxicol Chem
September 2015
Fuel pollution is a significant problem in Antarctica, especially in areas where human activities occur, such as at scientific research stations. Despite this, there is little information on the effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on Antarctic terrestrial biota. The authors demonstrate that the Antarctic mosses Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Schistidium antarctici, and Ceratodon purpureus, and the Antarctic terrestrial alga Prasiola crispa are relatively tolerant to Special Antarctic Blend (SAB) fuel-contaminated soil (measured as total petroleum hydrocarbons).
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