Lakehead University Library Logo
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   Knowledge Commons Home
    • Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    • Electronic Theses and Dissertations from 2009
    • View Item
    •   Knowledge Commons Home
    • Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    • Electronic Theses and Dissertations from 2009
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    quick search

    Browse

    All of Knowledge CommonsCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsDisciplineAdvisorCommittee MemberThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsDisciplineAdvisorCommittee Member

    My Account

    Login

    Microbial methylation of mercury in the North Harbour of Lake Superior

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    HeatherF2019m-1b.pdf (5.291Mb)
    Date
    2019
    Author
    Heather, Frances
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Mercury is a known contaminant in the North Harbour of Lake Superior due to the decommissioned “Thunder Bay Fine Papers” pulp and paper mill. The cause for concern for organisms in the lake and for humans occurs when mercury undergoes a transformation to methylmercury (MeHg). Methylmercury is a neurotoxin that has the ability of bioaccumulation and biomagnification- making it a primary concern for human health. The methylation of mercury can occur by a variety of mechanisms, including both biotic and abiotic, however methylation via microorganisms is considered the primary mechanism in most aquatic systems. Microorganisms that can carry out this reaction do so to lessen the toxic effects of mercury on themselves. There are several known microbes that will methylate mercury, such as sulfate reducing bacteria, however the diversity of microorganisms that can carry out this reaction goes beyond what researchers currently know. Recent studies have identified a gene correlated to methylation known as the hgcAB gene cluster. This research aims to answer two main questions: 1) are mercury-methylating microorganisms present in sediment samples from the North Harbour and if so, 2) which microorganisms are present? Amplification of the hgcA gene by PCR shows that the gene is present in sediment samples from the North Harbour. Sequencing experiments were inconclusive, and the identities of the microorganisms that contain the hgcA gene are unknown at this time.
    URI
    http://knowledgecommons.lakeheadu.ca/handle/2453/4533
    Collections
    • Electronic Theses and Dissertations from 2009 [1632]

    Lakehead University Library
    Contact Us | Send Feedback

     

     


    Lakehead University Library
    Contact Us | Send Feedback