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Science activity #49806, updated 17 November 2022

Simulating methylmercury production and transport at the sediment-water interface to improve the water quality in the Delta

Description / purpose

The aim of this project was to improve basic knowledge of mercury cycling and aid management of net methylmercury production in the delta by developing a kinetic-thermodynamic reaction model that describes and quantifies mercury cycling in delta sediments. The model was used to assess uncertainties and estimate methylation and demethylation rates — the processes by which methylmercury is produced and breaks down. In addition, the project examined coupling of mercury cycling with cycling of iron, sulfur, and manganese.

Linked science activities

None specified

Collaborators

Stefanie Helmrich, Principal investigator - University of California - Merced [UC Merced]
Peggy O'Day, Co-investigator - University of California - Merced [UC Merced]
Charles Alpers, Contributor - California Water Science Center

Activity status

  • 1 Awarded / Initiating (2018)
  • 2 In progress / Ongoing (2018 - 2020)
  • 3 Complete

Funding summary

Total allocated funding: $151,403

Label Value
Contract # or labor code 5298
Implementing organization University of California - Merced [UC Merced]
Funding organization Delta Stewardship Council
Funding Source Delta Stewardship Council - General Fund
Date of award 2018-02-01
Date of fiscal year-end Not provided
Total award amount $151,403
State type of obligation Not provided
Federal type of obligation Not provided
Reimbursability Not provided
Procurement mechanism Contracted competitive or direct award

Location

Subbasins
Delta regions

Geographic tags

None specified

Products and outputs

Type Title Description Views
News Delta Science Fellow 2018: Simulating methylmercury production and transport at the sediment-water interface to improve the water quality in the Delta Project fact sheet 1
File Development of a kinetic-thermodynamic model to simulate the mercury cycle in freshwater sediments Presentation at the 2019 American Chemical Society 0
File Simulation of mercury methylation and demethylation coupled to oxidation-reduction reactions in sediments of Delta tributaries. Presentation at the 2019 Annual meeting of the Cal 0
File Simulation of biogeochemical processes driving methylmercury production in different sediment habitats of the Delta and its tributaries. Presentation at the 10th Biennial Bay-Delta Scienc 0
File Helmrich S, Vlassopoulos D, Alpers CN & O’Day PA (2022) Critical review of mercury methylation and methylmercury demethylation rate constants in aquatic sediments for biogeochemical modeling, Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 52:24 Publication 1