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Detailed Reference Information
Lamborg et al. 2006
Lamborg, C.H., Von Damm, K.L., Fitzgerald, W.F., Hammerschmidt, C.R. and Zierenberg, R. (2006). Mercury and monomethylmercury in fluids from Sea Cliff submarine hydrothermal field, Gorda Ridge. Geophysical Research Letters 33: doi: 10.1029/2006GL026321. issn: 0094-8276.

Submarine hydrothermal systems are hypothesized to be a potentially important source of monomethylmercury (MMHg) to the ocean, yet the amount of MMHg in vent fluids is unknown. Here, we report total Hg and MMHg concentrations in hydrothermal vent fluids sampled from the Sea Cliff site on the Gorda Ridge. MMHg is the dominant Hg species, and levels of total Hg are enhanced slightly compared to seawater. Hg is enriched in deposits surrounding the site, suggesting near-field deposition from fluid plumes, with rapid MMHg demethylation and scavenging of Hg(II) complexes. Assuming the flux of MMHg from Sea Cliff is representative of global submarine hydrothermal inputs, we estimate a flux of 0.1--0.4 Mmoles y-1, which may be attenuated by scavenging near the vents. However, deep waters are not typically known to be elevated in Hg, and thus we suggest that hydrothermal systems are not significant sources of MMHg to commercial fisheries.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Biogeosciences, Hydrothermal systems (1034, 3017, 3616, 4832, 8135, 8424), Biogeosciences, Trace element cycling, Geochemistry, Reactions and phase equilibria (3612, 8412), Geochemistry, Marine geochemistry (4835, 4845, 4850), Marine Geology and Geophysics, Midocean ridge processes
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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