Lamborg, C. H., Woods Hole Oceanographic Insti, Woods Hole, MA, USA, clamborg@whoi.edu
Hammerschmidt, C. R., Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA, chad.hammerschmidt@wright.edu
Luther, G. W., University of Delaware, Lewes, DE, USA, luther@udel.edu

MERCURY AND MONOMETHYLMERCURY IN HYDROTHERMAL FLUIDS FROM LAU BASIN

The deep sea has been suggested to be an important source of mercury (Hg) and monomethylHg (HgT and MMHg) to the ocean and to open ocean foodwebs (Kraepiel et al., 2003). One pathway by which this might occur is through the venting of hydrothermal fluids into the ocean. We analyzed 7 submarine hydrothermal fluid samples for HgT and MMHg from a recent cruise to the Lau Basin (Sept. 2006), and compare these results to those from samples collected at Sea Cliff submarine hydrothermal field, Gorda Ridge (Lamborg et al., 2006). Results from Lau are generally lower in [HgT] than Sea Cliff, and with lower and variable MMHg contents. These new values indicate there is large site-to-site variation, and more study is needed. There is net methylation of Hg at both sites, however, and this raises a number of questions related to organometallic chemistry in submarine hydrothermal systems.

Poster presentation

Presentation is given by student: No
Session #:187
Date: 03-03-2008
Time: 17:30 - 19:30