Zhao Wenyu, Gan Runjie, Xian Bensen, Wu Tong, Wu Guoping, Huang Shixin, Wang Ronghua, Liu Zixuan, Zhang Qin, Bai Shaoyuan, Fu Mingming, Zhang Yanan
College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China.
Collaborative Innovation Center for Water Pollution Control and Water Safety in Karst Area, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China.
Toxics. 2024 Sep 30;12(10):715. doi: 10.3390/toxics12100715.
Mercury, particularly in its methylated form, poses a significant environmental and health risk in aquatic ecosystems. While the toxicity and bioaccumulation of mercury are well documented, there remains a critical gap in our understanding of the mechanisms governing mercury methylation and demethylation in aquatic environments. This review systematically examines the complex interplay of chemical, biological, and physical factors that influence mercury speciation and transformation in natural water systems. We provide a comprehensive analysis of methylation and demethylation processes, specifically focusing on the dominant role of methanogenic bacteria. Our study highlights the crucial function of hgcAB genes in facilitating mercury methylation by anaerobic microorganisms, an area that represents a frontier in current research. By synthesizing the existing knowledge and identifying key research priorities, this review offers novel insights into the intricate dynamics of mercury cycling in aquatic ecosystems. Our findings provide a theoretical framework to inform future studies and guide pollution management strategies for mercury and its compounds in aquatic environments.
汞，尤其是甲基汞，在水生生态系统中对环境和健康构成重大风险。虽然汞的毒性和生物累积已有充分记录，但我们对水生环境中汞甲基化和去甲基化机制的理解仍存在关键差距。本综述系统地研究了影响天然水系统中汞形态和转化的化学、生物和物理因素之间的复杂相互作用。我们对甲基化和去甲基化过程进行了全面分析，特别关注产甲烷菌的主导作用。我们的研究强调了hgcAB基因在促进厌氧微生物汞甲基化方面的关键功能，这一领域代表了当前研究的前沿。通过综合现有知识并确定关键研究重点，本综述为水生生态系统中汞循环的复杂动态提供了新的见解。我们的研究结果提供了一个理论框架，为未来的研究提供参考，并指导水生环境中汞及其化合物的污染管理策略。
