Examining the role of nanoparticles in the formation and degradation of methylated mercury in the ocean

在这个由美国国家科学基金会化学部环境化学项目资助的项目中，康涅狄格大学的罗伯特·梅森教授和赵晶教授研究了纳米颗粒在控制海洋中各种形式汞之间反应的作用。具体而言，与淡水环境相比，在所有进行过测量的海洋沃茨中都发现了二甲基汞。关于其形成机制的信息很少。 研究人员有初步证据表明，它可能是由涉及纳米颗粒和其他表面的反应形成的。众所周知，甲基汞是海洋中发现的汞的一种有机形式，主要由细菌与无机汞反应形成。 活性表面在甲基汞的降解中也很重要。该项目在环境化学的各个方面培训研究生，并吸引本科生和高中生，为研究，教学和推广提供途径。研究人员将研究纳入正在进行的推广计划。 他们使用该项目产生的信息来开发他们的研究生和本科教学课程。研究结果发表在同行评议的文献中，研究生是第一作者。 研究人员使用商业制造和天然纳米材料进行实验室实验，以研究金属纳米颗粒在适用于海洋的条件下形成金属和有机形式的汞的潜在重要性。在这些实验中使用的技术包括紫外可见和荧光光谱，电子显微镜和质谱。汞分析需要专门为测量低浓度下不同形式的汞而设计的仪器。这项研究的结果增强了我们对海洋中形成甲基化汞的过程的理解，当生物积累到海鲜中时，这是一个重要的人类健康问题。梅森教授和赵教授将他们的研究结果纳入他们与管理人员和监管机构的外联交流中，这些管理人员和监管机构有兴趣通过《水俣公约》等条约减轻人为汞排放对生物圈的影响。

In this project funded by the Environmental Chemistry Program in the Chemistry Division at the National Science Foundation, Professors Robert Mason and Jing Zhao of the University of Connecticut examine the role of nanoparticles in controlling the reactions between various forms of mercury in the ocean. Specifically, in contrast to freshwater environments, dimethylmercury is found in all ocean waters where measurements have been made. There is little information on its formation mechanisms. The investigators have preliminary evidence to indicate that it may be formed by reactions that involve nanoparticles and other surfaces. It is known that methylmercury, an organic form of mercury found in the ocean, is mostly formed by bacteria that react with inorganic mercury. Reactive surfaces are also be important in the degradation of methylmercury. The project trains a graduate student in diverse aspects of environment chemistry, and engages undergraduates and high school students, providing avenues for research, teaching and outreach. The investigators incorporate the research into ongoing outreach programs. They use the information generated from the project in developing their graduate and undergraduate teaching curricula. The results are published in the peer-reviewed literature, with the graduate student as the lead author. The investigators conduct laboratory experiments with both commercially manufactured and natural nanomaterials to examine the potential importance of metal nanoparticles in forming metallic and organic forms of mercury under conditions applicable to the ocean. Techniques used in these experiments include UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy, electron microscopy and mass spectrometry. Mercury analyses require instruments that are specifically designed for measurement of the different forms of mercury at low concentrations. The results of this research enhance our understanding of the processes that form methylated mercury in the ocean which, when bioaccumulated into seafood is an important human health concern. Professors Mason and Zhao incorporate their findings into their outreach communications with managers and regulators interested in mitigating the impacts of anthropogenic mercury emissions on the biosphere through such treaties as the Minamata Convention.