Mercury partitioning in super-permafrost groundwater, Truelove Lowland, Devon Island, Nunavut

View/ Open
Date
2008Author
Dickson, Alanna L
Type
ThesisDegree Level
MastersMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The objective of this study was to determine the dominant biogeochemical controls on mercury partitioning in super-permafrost groundwater at Truelove Lowland, Devon Island, Nunavut. Mercury partitioning in snow, ephemeral standing water, and super-permafrost groundwater was investigated. Results indicate that partitioning differs between matrices, and that particulate mercury is spatially and temporally dynamic in Truelove Lowland groundwater. Particulate mercury in groundwater was 73 % of total mercury, while snow had only 22 % particulate mercury. Particulate mercury in groundwater rose by over 20 % from Julian day 181 to 189, and decreased slightly on Julian day 191. No single geochemical parameter was a good predictor of particulate mercury concentrations.
To expand upon the findings of the field study a laboratory microcosm study was conducted to determine whether certain biogeochemical processes influence mercury partitioning in super-permafrost groundwater. Particulate mercury in the dissimilatory iron reducing bacteria inhibited microcosm was 61 % of total mercury, approximately 18 % lower than in all other treatments. Iron (III) concentrations had a positive correlation with particulate mercury while chloride concentrations had a negative correlation with particulate mercury. Sulfate reducing bacteria were not found to influence mercury partitioning.
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)Department
Soil ScienceProgram
Soil ScienceSupervisor
Siciliano, StevenCommittee
Si, Bing C.; Peak, J. Derek; Knight, J. Diane; Fleming, Ian R.Copyright Date
2008Subject
mercury
partitioning
super-permafrost
groundwater
Arctic