Workshop 2

Mercury characterization in Aquatic Sediments – Tools to evaluate Hg biogeochemistry and remedial strategies.

Workshop Objectives:

To strengthen understanding of tools and techniques used for evaluating critical mercury biogeochemistry parameters and remedial strategies in aquatic sediments.

Abstract:
The workshop will focus on the tools and techniques used for evaluating critical mercury biogeochemistry parameters and remedial strategies in aquatic sediments. The workshop will be divided into three sections, starting with start-of-the-art science of Hg transformation processes in sediments with particular focus on bioavailability of inorganic mercury and its roles in mercury methylation. The second section will use field and bench-scale mesocosm based case studies to describe field measurement tools, with particular focus on in-situ based measurements of porewater mercury, methylmercury, and critical ancillary data that relates to methylation potential in sediments. We will also discuss the performance of sorbents, including those specifically designed for Hg/MeHg sequestration in sediment matrices. The third section will describe the use of a free version of the mathematical simulation software specifically adapted for evaluating biogeochemistry and transport of contaminants in sediments and evaluating the long-term (decadal time scales) effectiveness of remedial options that involves the use of barrier/cap layers (with and without sorbents) in sediments. Finally, we will identify future research areas of interest with regards to management and control of Hg in sediments.

CapSim background:
Dr. Reible research efforts have led to the creation and ongoing development of a sediment based environmental simulation model – CapSim. CapSim is designed to model contaminant fate and transport in surficial sediments to support site conceptual model development, natural recovery assessment and remedial response. The model has unique capabilities for describing processes at the sediment-water interface including the interface specific processes of bioturbation, benthic mass transfer, consolidation, and deposition as well as advection, diffusion, linear and nonlinear sorption, and reaction. The model can simulate behavior in multiple sediment layers or sediment caps, including active caps. More details on CapSim can be obtained in the following website – https://www.depts.ttu.edu/ceweb/research/reiblesgroup/downloads.php

Presenter Affiliations / Biographies:
Balaji Rao https://www.depts.ttu.edu/ceweb/research/reiblesgroup/bio/Balaji_Rao.php
Amrika Deonarine https://scholars.ttu.edu/en/persons/amrika-deonarine
Danny Reible https://scholars.ttu.edu/en/persons/danny-reible