Isolation and Identification of Mercury-Dissolved Organic Matter
Complexes in Mercury-Humic Acid Suspensions
Abstract
The complexation of mercury (Hg) with dissolved organic matter (DOM) is
a pivotal factor influencing transformations, transport, and
bioavailability of Hg in aquatic environments. However, identifying
these complexes poses a significant challenge because of their
exceedingly low concentrations and presence of coexisting ions. In this
study, mercury-dissolved organic matter (Hg-DOM) complexes were isolated
through solid phase extraction (SPE) from Hg-humic acid suspensions and
complexes were putatively identified using ultrahigh resolution Fourier
transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS).
Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total Hg analysis before and after
SPE showed an increase in DOC:Hg ratio. The DOC:Hg ratio was lower in
extracts from cartridges with silica structure bonded with hydrocarbon
chains (C18) than priority pollutant cartridges (PPL) cartridges at
circumneutral pH, indicating that C18 was more effective at extracting
DOM complexed Hg. These results were confirmed with FTICR-MS analysis,
where two Hg-DOM complexes were putatively identified from PPL extracts
as opposed to nine from C18 (Winnow score >75%). In
addition, C 8H 13HgN 2O
2S, a molecular formula with a m/z ratio of
403.04, was identified across three separate extractions using a C18
cartridge, suggesting that the complexes were preserved during
extraction and, presumably, electrospray ionization. These results
highlight the effectiveness of the methodology developed in this study -
SPE coupled with FTICR-MS for isolating and identifying Hg-DOM
complexes. This approach allows for the exploration of the elemental and
structural composition of Hg-DOM complexes, which affects Hg speciation,
bioavailability, and transformations in aquatic ecosystems.