Dissolved Organic Carbon Interactions with Mercury in the Everglades

Problem:

- Interactions of mercury with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) play important roles in controlling reactivity, bioavailability and transport of mercury in the Florida Everglades.

- Little is known about the nature and magnitude of these interactions.

Objectives:

- Determine the nature and amount of DOC in the Everglades.

- Assess the significance of mercury-DOC interactions on the reactivity of mercury in the Everglades.

Distribution of DOC

- DOC concentrations are greater for surface water during low water periods.

- DOC concentrations in the sediments are higher than in the overlying surface water.

- DOC distribution in the sediments are dramatically different during low water compared to high water periods.