Global warming accelerates uptake of atmospheric mercury in regions experiencing glacier retreat

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1906930117
• Publication Date: 2020-01-14T01:24:54Z
• Authors: Xun Wang; Ji Luo; Wei Yuan; Che-Jen Lin; Feiyue Wang; Chen Liu; Genxu Wang; Xinbin Feng
• Keywords: Mercury

Significance In this study, we identify a process that recaptures atmospheric Hg in glacier-retreated areas driven by global warming. Melting of glaciers is known to release originally locked ice into the atmosphere and downstream ecosystems. Recession promotes rapid establishment vegetative ecosystems capture more over long run than released from glacier melting. The increased biomass climate change can result significant changes cycling.