The Sources and Fate of Trace Metals in the Environment
The Changing Sources of Mercury Pollution in the Connecticut River Valley
Mercury is a highly toxic, volatile, globally-distributed metal that presents a significant threat to health of humans and ecosystems. According to the 2013 UNEP Global Mercury Assessment, the largest sources of anthropogenic mercury emissions are coal-burning power plants (24%) and artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) operations (35%). However, current anthropogenic emissions only represent about 30% of the mercury released into the air annually. While 10% comes from geological sources, the other 60% results from the re-emission of mercury that has previously accumulated in surface soils and in the ocean. Most of this re-emitted mercury is inferred to have been originally deposited by anthropogenic sources over the past several centuries. Mercury pollution is thus both an ongoing problem and a legacy of human industry.
The stable isotopic fractionation of mercury isotopes presents a new opportunity to investigate the sources, transport, and fate of mercury in the environment. I use mercury isotopes to better trace the sources and cycling of mercury in areas impacted by the legacy of industrial activities. In collaboration with Anna Martini (Amherst College), I am using mercury isotopes to trace the changing sources of industrial mercury pollution in the sediments of the Connecticut River. You can read more about Anna's work on mercury pollution in the Connecticut River here.
Lead Isotope Chemostratigraphy of Lake Sediments in the Northeastern North America
coming soon!
Mercury is a highly toxic, volatile, globally-distributed metal that presents a significant threat to health of humans and ecosystems. According to the 2013 UNEP Global Mercury Assessment, the largest sources of anthropogenic mercury emissions are coal-burning power plants (24%) and artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) operations (35%). However, current anthropogenic emissions only represent about 30% of the mercury released into the air annually. While 10% comes from geological sources, the other 60% results from the re-emission of mercury that has previously accumulated in surface soils and in the ocean. Most of this re-emitted mercury is inferred to have been originally deposited by anthropogenic sources over the past several centuries. Mercury pollution is thus both an ongoing problem and a legacy of human industry.
The stable isotopic fractionation of mercury isotopes presents a new opportunity to investigate the sources, transport, and fate of mercury in the environment. I use mercury isotopes to better trace the sources and cycling of mercury in areas impacted by the legacy of industrial activities. In collaboration with Anna Martini (Amherst College), I am using mercury isotopes to trace the changing sources of industrial mercury pollution in the sediments of the Connecticut River. You can read more about Anna's work on mercury pollution in the Connecticut River here.
Lead Isotope Chemostratigraphy of Lake Sediments in the Northeastern North America
coming soon!