Occurrence and photodegradation of methylmercury in surface water of Wen-Rui-Tang River network, Wenzhou, China

Abstract

The spatial distribution and seasonal variations of methylmercury (MeHg) in Wen-Rui-Tang (WRT) River network were investigated by monitoring the MeHg concentrations in surface water samples collected from 30 sites across the river network over four seasons. Detection frequencies and concentrations of MeHg were generally higher in January, indicating that low sunlight irradiation, wind speed, and temperature conditions might enhance the persistence of MeHg in surface water. The MeHg levels varied with sampling locations, with the highest concentrations being observed in the industrial area especially around wastewater outfall, revealing that the mercury contamination in WRT River mainly comes from the industrial wastewater. Photodegradation of MeHg in WRT River surface water and the effects of natural constituents such as fulvic acid (FA), ferric ions (Fe³⁺), nitrate (NO₃⁻), and dissolved oxygen on the MeHg photodegradation in aqueous solutions were studied under the simulated sunlight. The experimental data indicated that the indirect photodecomposition of MeHg occurred in WRT River surface water. Photodegradation of MeHg in FA solution was initiated by triplet ³FA* or MeHg-FA* via electron transfer interaction under light irradiations. The Fe³⁺ and NO₃⁻ can absorb light energy to produce ·OH and enhance the photochemical degradation of MeHg. The MeHg photodecompositions in FA, nitrate, and Fe³⁺ solutions were markedly accelerated after removing the dissolved oxygen.

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