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Fumigant methyl iodide can methylate inorganic mercury species in natural waters

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  • Yongguang Yin

    (State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 18, Shuangqing Road, Haidian, Beijing 100085, China
    Florida International University, University Park, Miami, Florida 33199, USA
    Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, University Park, Miami, Florida 33199, USA)

  • Yanbin Li

    (Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China)

  • Chao Tai

    (Florida International University, University Park, Miami, Florida 33199, USA
    Institute of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University)

  • Yong Cai

    (Florida International University, University Park, Miami, Florida 33199, USA
    Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, University Park, Miami, Florida 33199, USA)

  • Guibin Jiang

    (State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 18, Shuangqing Road, Haidian, Beijing 100085, China)

Abstract

Methyl iodide or iodomethane (CH3I) has recently been registered as a fumigant in many countries, although its environmental impacts are not well understood. Here we report the results of a study on the methylation of mercury by CH3I in natural water by incubation experiments using both Hg (199HgCl2 and )- and hydrogen (CD3I)-stable isotope addition techniques. We find that methylation of Hg0, and Hg2+ by CH3I can occur in natural water under sunlight, while only Hg0 and can be methylated in deionized water. We propose that the methylation of Hg by CH3I in natural waters is mediated by sunlight and involves two steps, the reduction of Hg2+ to Hg0/ and the subsequent methylation of Hg0/ by CH3I. Further quantitative assessment suggests that CH3I-involved methylation of inorganic Hg could be an important source of CH3Hg+ in an environment where CH3I has been used in large amounts as a fumigant.

Suggested Citation

  • Yongguang Yin & Yanbin Li & Chao Tai & Yong Cai & Guibin Jiang, 2014. "Fumigant methyl iodide can methylate inorganic mercury species in natural waters," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms5633
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5633
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