U.S-Slovene Research on Mercury Biogeochemistry in the Idrija River System, Slovenia

INT 9724012 Hines 这个美国-阿拉斯加大学安克雷奇分校的Mark Hines和卢布尔雅那大学海洋生物站的Jadran Faganeli之间的斯洛文尼亚研究项目将研究伊德里哈河系统水生生态系统中甲基汞的浓度、迁移和动态。 调查结果将与内华达州卡森河的平行研究进行比较。 这两个系统的相似性和差异将允许对净甲基汞的形成和迁移模型进行一些划界控制。 研究结果有望提高我们理解和预测河流中汞循环对人类生命和水生食物链的潜在影响的能力。 这项多学科研究的目标包括：1）定位甲基汞的源和汇; 2）研究细菌过程，如汞甲基化和去甲基化、遗传控制和末端分解过程; 3）确定硫循环与汞甲基化和去甲基化之间的关系;（4）研究海洋环境对汞向海洋迁移的影响。 按照计划，全面工作包括沿从原始场地到受污染区域的梯度沿着进行调查，以帮助开发一个模拟模型，该模型可以指导研究并帮助确定系统中的变化如何影响甲基汞通量和生物累积。 这个生态学、地球科学和环境修复项目通过使美国和中欧的专家能够联合收割机互补的人才和在共同感兴趣和有能力的领域集中资源，实现了促进科学知识的计划目标。 ??

INT 9724012 Hines This U.S.-Slovenian research project between Mark Hines of the University of Alaska, Anchorage, and Jadran Faganeli of the University of Ljubljana, Marine Biological Station, will examine the concentration, transport and dynamics of methylmercury in the aquatic ecosystems of the Idrija River system. Findings will be compared with parallel research on the Carson River in Nevada. Similarities and differences in these two systems will permit some delineation controls for net methylmercury formation and transport models. Results are expected to improve our ability to understand and predict the potential impact on human life and aquatic food chains from mercury cycling in rivers. The objectives of this multi-disciplinary investigation include: 1) locating sources and sinks of methylmercury; 2) studying bacterial processes such as mercury methylation and demethylation, genetic controls, and terminal decomposition processes; 3) defining the relationship between the sulfur cycle and mercury methylation and demethylation; and 4) examination of the effects of the marine environment on the transformation of mercury transported to the sea. As planned, the full effort involves the conduct of a survey along a gradient from pristine sites through contaminated regions to help develop a simulation model that can guide research and aid in determining how changes in the system may affect methylmercury flux and bioaccumulation. This project in ecology, earth sciences and environmental remediation fulfills the program objective of advancing scientific knowledge by enabling experts in the United States and Central Europe to combine complementary talents and pool resources in areas of strong mutual interest and competence. ??