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Mercury Exposure and Global Change
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Mercury Exposure and Global Change

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2018) | Viewed by 17873

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Erik Björn

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
Interests: mercury biogeochemistry; chemical speciation and reactivity; bioavailability; bioaccumulation; analytical environmental chemistry; trace element speciation analysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The exposure to toxic mercury (Hg) represents a significant threat to ecosystem viability and human health worldwide. Exposure of Hg to organisms is a result of complex interactions between (i) emission rates, (ii) biogeochemical and ecological processes in ecosystems, and (iii) socioeconomic and human behaviour processes. These processes are impacted by the current high rate of global change, adding uncertainty to the assessment of future Hg exposure levels.

Implementation of the Minamata Treaty (http://www.mercuryconvention.org/) to mitigate anthropogenic Hg emissions is expected to significantly decrease Hg loading rates to ecosystems and thereby exposure to organisms, although a large span in recovery rate is expected for different ecosystems. Further, other environmental change processes (including permafrost thawing) may increase Hg loadings on local and regional scales.

The biogeochemical and ecological processes driving Hg exposure are impacted by current and future global change processes through multiple drivers operating simultaneously. Perturbations in drivers controlling methylmercury (MeHg) bioaccumulation and biomagnification through food webs (including temperature, altered loading rates of nutrients and organic matter, changes in biota habitats, invasive species) are potentially of great importance.

Socioeconomic factors have a significant impact on the relative contribution from different Hg exposure pathways to humans, with the two predominate being MeHg in dietary intake (including certain fish species) and the intended use of different forms of inorganic Hg (including artisanal and small-scale gold mining). Societal shifts caused by changes in macroeconomy, climate, and cultural patterns will likely change also human Hg exposure.

Although several articles have been published on these topics, the knowledge gaps are still substantial. Papers for this Special Issue may address novel aspects on how Hg exposure to organisms are driven by processes in any of category (i)–(iii), and how they may be impacted by global change processes. Studies may focus on local, regional, or global scales and Hg exposure to humans or other organisms in the environment.

Dr. Erik Björn
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Mercury
  • Methylmercury
  • Elemental mercury
  • Exposure pathways
  • Impact of altered loading rates on mercury exposure
  • Biogeochemical and ecological drivers of mercury exposure
  • Socioeconomic drivers of mercury exposure
  • Ecosystem perturbations
  • Global change

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 2212 KiB  
Article
Evidence of Mercury Methylation and Demethylation by the Estuarine Microbial Communities Obtained in Stable Hg Isotope Studies
by Neusa Figueiredo, Maria Luísa Serralheiro, João Canário, Aida Duarte, Holger Hintelmann and Cristina Carvalho
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15(10), 2141; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15102141 - 29 Sep 2018
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4318
Abstract
Microbial activity is a critical factor controlling methylmercury formation in aquatic environments. Microbial communities were isolated from sediments of two highly mercury-polluted areas of the Tagus Estuary (Barreiro and Cala do Norte) and differentiated according to their dependence on oxygen into three groups: [...] Read more.
Microbial activity is a critical factor controlling methylmercury formation in aquatic environments. Microbial communities were isolated from sediments of two highly mercury-polluted areas of the Tagus Estuary (Barreiro and Cala do Norte) and differentiated according to their dependence on oxygen into three groups: aerobic, anaerobic, and sulphate-reducing microbial communities. Their potential to methylate mercury and demethylate methylmercury was evaluated through incubation with isotope-enriched Hg species (199HgCl and CH3201HgCl). The results showed that the isolated microbial communities are actively involved in methylation and demethylation processes. The production of CH3199Hg was positively correlated with sulphate-reducing microbial communities, methylating up to 0.07% of the added 199Hg within 48 h of incubation. A high rate of CH3201Hg degradation was observed and >20% of CH3201Hg was transformed. Mercury removal of inorganic forms was also observed. The results prove the simultaneous occurrence of microbial methylation and demethylation processes and indicate that microorganisms are mainly responsible for methylmercury formation and accumulation in the polluted Tagus Estuary. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mercury Exposure and Global Change)
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11 pages, 1574 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Mercury Concentration in Turtles (Podocnemis unifilis) in the Xingu River Basin, Brazil
by Marina Teófilo Pignati, Juarez Carlos Brito Pezzuti, Larissa Costa de Souza, Marcelo De Oliveira Lima, Wanderlei Antonio Pignati and Rosivaldo De Alcântara Mendes
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15(6), 1185; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15061185 - 06 Jun 2018
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3451
Abstract
Many studies on mercury contamination in aquatic biota deal with the effect of consuming metal-contaminated organisms on human health. In this study, we examined the factors that cause mercury contamination in Podocnemis unifilis in the Xingu River Basin of Mato Grosso and Pará [...] Read more.
Many studies on mercury contamination in aquatic biota deal with the effect of consuming metal-contaminated organisms on human health. In this study, we examined the factors that cause mercury contamination in Podocnemis unifilis in the Xingu River Basin of Mato Grosso and Pará States, Brazil. We quantified by atomic absorption spectroscopy with cold vapor the total mercury (THg) content in the liver and muscle samples of 50 Podocnemis unifilis specimens collected from the basin. The liver and muscle samples contained 134.20 ± 119.30 ng g−1 THg and 24.86 ± 26.36 ng g−1 THg, respectively. Each chelonian or meal has, on average, 5.34× more Hg than the highest level established as acceptable. From the results it can be inferred that, given the weekly consumption of chelonians, the riverine and indigenous communities in the Xingu River Basin are at risk of chronic consumption of Hg in amounts beyond the acceptable limit. The potential high risk to the health of this population is evident; however, the risk classification needs to be further studied. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mercury Exposure and Global Change)
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Review

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16 pages, 1669 KiB  
Review
Hair as a Biomarker of Long Term Mercury Exposure in Brazilian Amazon: A Systematic Review
by Nathália Santos Serrão de Castro and Marcelo De Oliveira Lima
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15(3), 500; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15030500 - 12 Mar 2018
Cited by 37 | Viewed by 4468
Abstract
Many studies have assessed mercury (Hg) exposure in the Amazonian population. This article performs a literature search of the studies that used hair as a biomarker of Hg exposure in the Brazilian Amazonian population. The search covered the period from 1996 to 2016 [...] Read more.
Many studies have assessed mercury (Hg) exposure in the Amazonian population. This article performs a literature search of the studies that used hair as a biomarker of Hg exposure in the Brazilian Amazonian population. The search covered the period from 1996 to 2016 and included articles which matched the following criteria: (1) articles related to Hg exposure into Brazilian Amazon; (2) articles that used hair as a biomarker of Hg exposure; (3) articles that used analytical tools to measure the Hg content on hair and (4) articles that presented arithmetic mean and/or minimum and maximum values of Hg. 36 studies were selected. The findings show that most of the studies were performed along margins of important rivers, such as Negro, Tapajós and Madeira. All the population presented mean levels of Hg on hair above 6 µg g−1 and general population, adults, not determined and men presented levels of Hg on hair above 10 µg g−1. The results show that most of the studies were performed by Brazilian institutions/researchers and the majority was performed in the State of Pará. The present study identified that Amazonian population has long-term been exposed to Hg. In terms of future perspectives, this study suggests the implementation of a strategic plan for environmental health surveillance in the region in order to promote health and benefit Amazonian population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mercury Exposure and Global Change)
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Other

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9 pages, 2170 KiB  
Case Report
Full Atrioventricular Block Secondary to Acute Poisoning Mercury: A Case Report
by Amelia Geraldine Peregrina-Chávez, María Del Rayo Ramírez-Galindo, Rolando Chávez-Martínez, Cesar Anuar Delahanty-Delgado and Fernando Vazquez-Alaniz
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15(4), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15040657 - 02 Apr 2018
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5109
Abstract
Background: The biological behaviour and clinical significance of mercury toxicity vary according to its chemical structure. Mercury differs in its degree of toxicity and in its effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems as well as on organs such as the lungs, [...] Read more.
Background: The biological behaviour and clinical significance of mercury toxicity vary according to its chemical structure. Mercury differs in its degree of toxicity and in its effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems as well as on organs such as the lungs, kidneys, skin, eyes and heart. Human exposure occurs mainly through inhalation of elemental mercury vapours during industrial and artisanal processes such as artisanal and small-scale gold mining. Case presentation: A 52-years-old female, housewife, with a body mass index of 25.3 kg/cm2, without smoking or alcohol habits or any important clinical or chronic cardiovascular history, was admitted to the emergency room due to probable accidental poisoning by butane gas. Clinical manifestations with a headache, dizziness, cough, and dyspnoea of medium to small efforts. An initial physical exploration with Glasgow scored at 15, with arrhythmic heart sounds, pulmonary fields with bilateral subcrepitant rales and right basal predominance. Electrocardiographic findings were as follows: a cardiac frequency of 50 beats per minute and atrioventricular dissociation. Laboratory parameters were: white blood cells at 15.8 × 109/L; aspartate aminotransferase at 38 U/L; lactate dehydrogenase at 1288 U/L; creatine-kinase at 115 U/L; CK-MB fraction at 28 U/L; and other biochemical parameters were within the reference values. A radiographic evaluation showed flow cephalization, diffuse bilateral infiltrates with right basal predominance. In addition, the patient presented data of low secondary expenditure to third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block for which the placement of a transvenous pacemaker was decided, substantially improving the haemodynamic parameters. Subsequently, after a family interrogation, the diagnosis of mercury inhalation poisoning was established. An initial detection of mercury concentration (Hg(0)) was carried out, reporting 243.5 µg/L. In view of this new evidence, mercury chelation therapy with intravenous calcium disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (CaNa2·EDTA) was initiated. After 8-days of hospital stay, she presented a favourable evolution with both clinical and radiological improvements, so that the mechanical ventilation progressed to extubating. Subsequently, she was referred for cardiology because of her persistent 3rd-degree atrioventricular block, deciding to place a definitive bicameral pacemaker. The patient was discharged from the hospital 14 days after admission due to clinical improvements with mercury plasma levels at 5 µmol/L and a heart rhythm from the pacemaker. Conclusions: We show evidence that acute exposure to elemental mercury can affect the heart rhythm, including a complete atrioventricular blockage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mercury Exposure and Global Change)
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