被淹没的植物是水库甲基汞异常升高的来源之一.为探寻淹水条件下三峡水库消落带植物中汞的动态变化特征及其对水体的影响,通过室内模拟试验,研究淹水条件下稗草、狗牙根、玉米秸秆中汞含量变化及其向水体释汞情况.结果表明,3种植物总汞含量范围为9.21~12.07 ng·g-1,甲基汞占总汞的质量分数约为1%~2%.淹水后,植物总汞含量逐渐降低,其降幅为35.81%~55.96%;而上覆水溶解态汞(DHg)浓度迅速上升,增幅为103.23%~232.15%,说明植物腐烂分解会向水体释放汞.淹水环境为植物体组织内甲基化提供了充裕条件,导致植物残体甲基汞含量升高,为初始含量的3.04~6.63倍,而上覆水溶解态甲基汞(DMe Hg)浓度也显著升高,为初始浓度的14.84~16.05倍.淹水期间,上覆水中DMe Hg与溶解氧(DO)浓度表现为极显著负相关,与可溶性有机碳(DOC)浓度存在显著正相关.而在整个淹水过程中,上覆水DHg浓度变化量为植物总汞释放量的41.74%~47.01%,且各植物残体总汞含量与上覆水DHg浓度存在极显著负相关.
Submerged plants are a major source for the abnormal elevation of methylmercury in reservoir. Several specific plants (Echinochloa crusgalli, Cynodondactylon and Corn stoυer) were collected and inundated in a simulated aquatic environment in the laboratory for investigating the mercury (Hg) dynamics in plants and the release process into water, aiming to find out the properties of Hg dynamics of plants under inundation conditions and its impact on water body in the Water-Level Fluctuation Zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area. The results showed that the contents of total mercury in several plants were in the range of 9. 21-12. 07 ng·g - 1 , and the percentage content of methylmercury (MeHg) was about 1% -2% . The content of total mercury (THg) in plants gradually decreased, by 35. 81% -55. 96% , whereas that of the dissolved mercury (DHg) increased sharply, by 103. 23% -232. 15% , which indicated an emission of Hg from plants to water in the process of decomposition. Furthermore, the state of inundation provided sufficient conditions for the methylation process in plants and therefore caused an increase of the content of methylmercury in the plant residues, which was 3. 04-6. 63 times as much as the initial content. The concentration of dissolved methylmercury (DMeHg) in the overlying water also increased significantly by 14. 84- 16. 05 times compared with the initial concentration. Meanwhile, the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the overlying water was significantly and negatively correlated with DMeHg. On the other hand, the concentration of dissolved organic carbon ( DOC) in the overlying water was significantly and positively correlated with DMeHg. During the whole inundation period, the increase of DHg in the overlying water accounted for 41. 74% -47. 01% of the total amount of THg emission, and there was a negative correlation between the content of THg in plant residues and that of DHg in the overlying water.