Dataset Information

Microbial DNA records historical delivery of anthropogenic mercury.

ABSTRACT: Mercury (Hg) is an anthropogenic pollutant that is toxic to wildlife and humans, but the response of remote ecosystems to globally distributed Hg is elusive. Here, we use DNA extracted from a dated sediment core to infer the response of microbes to historical Hg delivery. We observe a significant association between the mercuric reductase gene (merA) phylogeny and the timing of Hg deposition. Using relaxed molecular clock models, we show a significant increase in the scaled effective population size of the merA gene beginning ~200 years ago, coinciding with the Industrial Revolution and a coincident strong signal for positive selection acting on residues in the terminal region of the mercuric reductase. This rapid evolutionary response of microbes to changes in the delivery of anthropogenic Hg indicates that microbial genomes record ecosystem response to pollutant deposition in remote regions.

SUBMITTER: Poulain AJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4817628 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Microbial DNA records historical delivery of anthropogenic mercury.

Poulain Alexandre J AJ Aris-Brosou Stéphane S Blais Jules M JM Brazeau Michelle M Keller Wendel Bill WB Paterson Andrew M AM

The ISME journal 20150609 12

Mercury (Hg) is an anthropogenic pollutant that is toxic to wildlife and humans, but the response of remote ecosystems to globally distributed Hg is elusive. Here, we use DNA extracted from a dated sediment core to infer the response of microbes to historical Hg delivery. We observe a significant association between the mercuric reductase gene (merA) phylogeny and the timing of Hg deposition. Using relaxed molecular clock models, we show a significant increase in the scaled effective population ...[more]

PMID: 26057844

Similar Datasets

Project description:This paper contains supplementary data in support of a research paper published [1] regarding the expected anthropogenic mercury release in China in response to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (MCM). The dataset provided within this article contains a set of excel spreadsheets. Each spreadsheet contains filtered (collected) and analysed data, i.e., parameters, collected data, calculated and summarized results for mercury distribution by the category of mineral production, intentional uses, secondary metal production, extraction and combustion, and waste treatment in a specific year. The collected (filtered) data in this article consist of the input factor (IF), activity rate data (ARD), output scenario (OS), initial distribution factor (iDF), and redistribution factor (rDF). IF was from the default IF in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Toolkit Level 2 and published scientific papers. ARD was obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey database, China Statistical Yearbooks, and published scientific papers. The OS content was from the default OS in the UNEP Toolkit Level 2 and published scientific papers. iDF was from the default distribution factor (DF) in the UNEP Toolkit Level 2 and published scientific papers. rDF was from published scientific paper. The mercury input was calculated using IF and ARD. The mercury release to different media in the initial distribution step was calculated using the mercury input and iDF. The release of mercury to the final sinks in the redistribution step was calculated using the amount of sector-specific treatment/disposal, product or by-product, and rDF. The dataset with combination of the collected (filtered) and analyzed data can contribute to an understanding of differences in anthropogenic mercury release before and after implementation of the MCM, especially considering technology transformation in China. Government policymakers involved in hazardous waste management, especially those working on MCM, and engineers and scientists interested in hazardous waste management may benefit from these data. The data can be used for identifying the environmental impact of anthropogenic mercury release before and after the MCM in China. The data can facilitate the creation of strategic management policies for mercury as the MCM is implemented in China.

Dataset Information

Microbial DNA records historical delivery of anthropogenic mercury.

Publications

Microbial DNA records historical delivery of anthropogenic mercury.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets