Molecular Identification of Mercury Complexes with Natural Organic Matter
EMSL Project ID
49344
Abstract
We propose to utilize the Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS) to identify specific molecules in naturally dissolved organic matter (DOM) that react with mercury (Hg) and thus to understand the factors that control Hg species transformation and the production of neurotoxic methylmercury in the environment. We will integrate liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma (LC-ICP) with FTICR-MS to separate and then focus on Hg-containing components to increase the dynamic range of measurements. We will also attempt to reconstruct structural information of the identified Hg-DOM complexes using newly introduced MS/MS fragmentation techniques such as collision induced dissociation (CID) and ultraviolet photo-dissociation (UVPD) at the Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory (EMSL). The proposed work attempts to resolve a significant knowledge gap regarding the mechanism and controls on microbial uptake and production of methylmercury toxin, thereby mitigating its adverse impact to humans.
Project Details
Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2016-10-01
End Date
2019-03-31
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members
Related Publications
Chen H, RC Johnston, BF Mann, RK Chu, N Tolic, B Gu, and JM Parks. 2017. "Identification of Mercury and Dissolved Organic Matter Complexes Using Ultrahigh Resolution Mass Spectrometry." Environmental Science & Technology Letters 4(2):59-65. doi:10.1021/acs.estlett.6b00460
Chen H., R.K. Chu, N. Tolic, L. Liang, D.E. Graham, S.D. Wullschleger, and B. Gu, et al. 2018. "Molecular Insights into Arctic Soil Organic Matter Degradation under Warming." Web of Science 52, no. 8:4555–4564. PNNL-SA-136151. doi:10.1021/acs.est.7b05469