Mercury partitioning in super-permafrost groundwater, Truelove Lowland, Devon Island, Nunavut
| dc.contributor.advisor | Siciliano, Steven | en_US |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Si, Bing C. | en_US |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Peak, J. Derek | en_US |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Knight, J. Diane | en_US |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Fleming, Ian R. | en_US |
| dc.creator | Dickson, Alanna L | en_US |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2008-07-19T15:50:26Z | en_US |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2013-01-04T04:45:46Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2009-07-23T08:00:00Z | en_US |
| dc.date.available | 2013-01-04T04:45:46Z | |
| dc.date.created | 2008 | en_US |
| dc.date.issued | 2008 | en_US |
| dc.date.submitted | 2008 | en_US |
| dc.description.abstract | 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. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10388/etd-07192008-155026 | en_US |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | en_US |
| dc.subject | mercury | en_US |
| dc.subject | partitioning | en_US |
| dc.subject | super-permafrost | en_US |
| dc.subject | groundwater | en_US |
| dc.subject | Arctic | en_US |
| dc.title | Mercury partitioning in super-permafrost groundwater, Truelove Lowland, Devon Island, Nunavut | en_US |
| dc.type.genre | Thesis | en_US |
| dc.type.material | text | en_US |
| thesis.degree.department | Soil Science | en_US |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Soil Science | en_US |
| thesis.degree.grantor | University of Saskatchewan | en_US |
| thesis.degree.level | Masters | en_US |
| thesis.degree.name | Master of Science (M.Sc.) | en_US |