Latent-TGF-beta: an overview

• Main Authors: Dr. Lawrence, K. Duffy
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2001
• Subjects: Focus Categories; WQL; SW Keywords; Heavy Metals; Contaminant Transport; Water Quality Monitoring; Toxic Substances; Arctic; Bering Sea; AMAP; Arctic Council; Barrow; Climate change; Alaska
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.502.9373; http://water.usgs.gov/wrri/00grants/AKhg.pdf

Global atmospheric chemical cycling of Hg and exchange at air-water, air-soil, and soil-water interfaces are major processes affecting the mobilization of Hg on earth. Once in a water system, Hg bioaccumulation and biomagnification can occur. In Alaska, there is little information on processes and transport pathways related to Hg accumulation in water; however, there is major concern in relation to wildlife and human subsistence. In this project, we propose beginning a long-term investigation of Hg in Alaska rivers and the air above them during high flow and low flow periods. For this, we would measure total mercury and methyl mercury. We would also provide opportunities for local residents to participate in the evaluation and to disseminate our research results by building a comprehensive education effort to inform the public of the changing levels of the mercury in their local environment. This research follows the priorities and direction set by the Arctic Council and AMAP. This proposal will address a data gap in which atmospheric contaminant inputs from river sources are insufficiently known. This proposal will complement studies in Western Alaska and the Bering Sea in which mercury levels in salmon, crabs and sediment are being measured as well as NOAA atmospheric research in Barrow. Global atmospheric chemical cycling of Hg and exchange at air-water and soil-water interfaces are major processes affecting the mobilization of Hg on the earth. Human activities may have changed the natural biogeochemical cycle of toxic metals in many ecosystems. Global climate change can increase the risk of exposure of Northern people to this toxic metal by changing its chemical form (species) and its rate of remobilization and bioaccumulation. In this project, we propose beginning a long-term investigation of Hg in Alaskan rivers.