Methylmercury decomposition in sediments and bacterial cultures: involvement of methanogens and sulfate reducers in oxidative demethylation
Author: Oremland, R. S.; Culbertson, C. W.; Winfrey, M. R. Description: Demethylation of monomethylmercury in freshwater and estuarine sediments and in bacterial cultures was investigated with CH(3)HgI. Under anaerobiosis, results with inhibitors indicated partial involvement of both sulfate reducers and methanogens, the former dominating estuarine sediments, while both were active in freshwaters. Aerobes were the most significant demethylators in estuarine sediments, but were unimportant in freshwater sediments. Products of anaerobic demethylation were mainly CO(2) as well as lesser amounts of CH(4). Acetogenic activity resulted in fixation of some CO(2) produced…
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