Increasing chloride concentration causes retention of mercury in melted Arctic snow due to changes in photoreduction kinetics

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) in the Arctic is a significant concern due to its bioaccumulative and neurotoxic properties, and the sensitivity of Arctic environments. Previous research has found high levels of Hg in snowpacks with high chloride (Cl−) concentrations. We hypothesised that Cl− would increase Hg retention by decreasing Hg photoreduction to Hg(0) in melted Arctic snow. To test this, changes in Hg photoreduction kinetics in melted Alert, NU snow were quantified with changing Cl− concentration and UV intensity. Snow was collected and melted in Teflon bottles in May 2014, spiked with 0–10μg/g Cl−, and irradiated with 3.52–5.78W·m−2 UV (280–400nm) radiation in a LuzChem photoreactor. Photoreduction rate constants (k) (0.14–0.59hr−1) had positive linear relationships with [Cl−], while photoreduced Hg amounts (Hg(II)red) had negative linear relationships with [Cl−] (1287–64pg in 200g melted snow). Varying UV and [Cl−] both altered Hg(II)red amounts, with more efficient Hg stabilisation by Cl− at higher UV intensity, while k can be predicted by Cl− concentration and/or UV intensity, depending on experimental parameters. Overall, with future projections for greater snowpack Cl− loading, our experimental results suggest that more Hg could be delivered to Arctic aquatic ecosystems by melted snow (smaller Hg(II)red expected), but the Hg in the melted snow that is photoreduced may do so more quickly (larger k expected).