Date of Award
12-2013
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Plants, Soils, and Climate
Committee Chair(s)
Astrid Jacobson
Committee
Astrid Jacobson
Committee
Jeanette Norton
Committee
Paul Grossl
Committee
Teryl Roper
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a highly potent neurotoxic form of the environmental pollutant Mercury (Hg). The processes that are responsible for the conversion of Hg to MeHg are known to be both biotic and abiotic in freshwater systems. Although MeHg contamination is well documented in Great Salt Lake (GSL), the conversion of Hg into MeHg is not well-understood in saline environments much less in hypersaline waters such as GSL. The GSL is a broad, shallow high altitude (1280 m above sea level) lake that is exposed to large amounts of ultraviolet radiation and evaporation, which lead to great volatilization losses of Hg to the atmosphere that may in turn contaminate other bodies of water. In this review biotic and abiotic Hg methylation pathways that are known to occur in marine environments, are investigated to identify the most likely causes for the high amounts of MeHg present in GSL.
Recommended Citation
Barandiaran, Danielle, "Methylmercury Fate in the Hypersaline Environment of the Great Salt Lake: A Critical Review of Current Knowledge" (2013). All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023. 332.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/332
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