Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions
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2009
10.5194/acpd-9-25885-2009
http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/9/25885/2009/
http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/9/25885/2009/acpd-9-25885-2009.html
http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/9/25885/2009/acpd-9-25885-2009.pdf
25885
25914
2009-12-02
Sediment records of highly variable mercury inputs to mountain lakes in Patagonia during the past millennium
S. Ribeiro Guevara
M. Meili
A. Rizzo
R. Daga
M. Arribére
Laboratorio de Análisis por Activación Neutrónica, Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica, Centro Atómico Bariloche, 8400 Bariloche, Argentina
Department of Applied Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Rivadavia 1917, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Instituto Balseiro, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, 8400 Bariloche, Argentina
High Hg levels in the pristine lacustrine ecosystems of the Nahuel
Huapi National Park, a protected zone situated in the Andes of
Northern Patagonia, Argentina, have initiated further investigations
on Hg cycling and source identification. Here we report Hg records
in sedimentary sequences aiming at identifying atmospheric sources
during the past millennium. In addition to global transport and
deposition, a potential atmospheric Hg source to be considered is the
local emissions associated with volcanic activity, considering that
the Park is situated in the Southern Volcanic Zone. Two sediment cores
were extracted from Lake Tonček, a small, high-altitude system
reflecting mainly direct inputs associated with atmospheric
contributions, and Lake Moreno Oeste, a much larger and deeper lake
having an extended watershed covered mostly by native forest.
<br><br>
The sedimentary sequences were dated based on both <sup>210</sup>Pb and
<sup>137</sup>Cs profiles. In addition, tephra layers
were identified and geochemically characterized for chronological
application and to investigate any association of volcanic eruptions with
Hg records. Hg concentrations in sediments were measured along with
32 other elements, as well as organic matter, fossil chironomids, and
biogenic silica. Observed background Hg concentrations, determined
from the sequence domains with lower values, ranged from 50 to
100 ng g<sup>−1</sup> DW (dry weight), whereas the surficial layers reached
200 to 500 ng g<sup>−1</sup> DW. In addition to this traditional
pattern, however, two deep domains in both sequences showed
dramatically increased Hg levels reaching 400 to
650 ng g<sup>−1</sup> DW; the upper dated to the 18th to 19th
centuries, and the lower around the 13th century. These
concentrations are not only elevated in the present profiles but also
many-fold above the background values determined in other fresh water
sediments, as were also the Hg fluxes, reaching 120 to
150 μg m<sup>−2</sup> y<sup>−1</sup> in Lake Tonček. No correlation
was observed between Hg concentrations and the contents of organic
matter, fossil chironomids, biogenic silica, or the other elements
determined. However, a distinct increase of Hg concentrations was
observed immediately above some tephra layers, suggesting a link to
volcanic events. Extended fires is another potential atmospheric
source to be considered because the earlier Hg peaks coincide with
reported charcoal peaks, whereas the upper Hg peaks
coincide with evidences of extended forest fires from tree-ring data
and historical records.
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