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Potential decoupling of CO2 and Hg uptake process by global vegetation in the 21st century

Author

Listed:
  • Tengfei Yuan

    (Nanjing University)

  • Shaojian Huang

    (Nanjing University)

  • Peng Zhang

    (Nanjing University)

  • Zhengcheng Song

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University
    Nanjing University, Nanjing)

  • Jun Ge

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University, Nanjing)

  • Xin Miao

    (Nanjing University)

  • Yujuan Wang

    (Nanjing University)

  • Qiaotong Pang

    (Nanjing University)

  • Dong Peng

    (Nanjing University)

  • Peipei Wu

    (Nanjing University)

  • Junjiong Shao

    (Zhejiang A&F University)

  • Peipei Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yabo Wang

    (Yangzhou University)

  • Hongyan Guo

    (Nanjing University)

  • Weidong Guo

    (Nanjing University)

  • Yanxu Zhang

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University
    Nanjing University, Nanjing)

Abstract

Mercury (Hg), a potent neurotoxin posing risks to human health, is cycled through vegetation uptake, which is susceptible to climate change impacts. However, the extent and pattern of these impacts are largely unknown, obstructing predictions of Hg’s fate in terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we evaluate the effects of climate change on vegetation elemental Hg [Hg(0)] uptake using a state-of-the-art global terrestrial Hg model (CLM5-Hg) that incorporates plant physiology. In a business-as-usual scenario, the terrestrial Hg(0) sink is predicted to decrease by 1870 Mg yr−1 in 2100, that is ~60% lower than the present-day condition. We find a potential decoupling between the trends of CO2 assimilation and Hg(0) uptake process by vegetation in the 21st century, caused by the decreased stomatal conductance with increasing CO2. This implies a substantial influx of Hg into aquatic ecosystems, posing an elevated threat that warrants consideration during the evaluation of the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention.

Suggested Citation

  • Tengfei Yuan & Shaojian Huang & Peng Zhang & Zhengcheng Song & Jun Ge & Xin Miao & Yujuan Wang & Qiaotong Pang & Dong Peng & Peipei Wu & Junjiong Shao & Peipei Zhang & Yabo Wang & Hongyan Guo & Weidon, 2024. "Potential decoupling of CO2 and Hg uptake process by global vegetation in the 21st century," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-48849-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48849-2
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    Cited by:

    1. Shaojian Huang & Tengfei Yuan & Zhengcheng Song & Ruirong Chang & Dong Peng & Peng Zhang & Ling Li & Peipei Wu & Guiyao Zhou & Fange Yue & Zhouqing Xie & Feiyue Wang & Yanxu Zhang, 2025. "Oceanic evasion fuels Arctic summertime rebound of atmospheric mercury and drives transport to Arctic terrestrial ecosystems," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Xinran Qiu & Maodian Liu & Yuanzheng Zhang & Qianru Zhang & Huiming Lin & Xingrui Cai & Jin Li & Rong Dai & Shuxiu Zheng & Jinghang Wang & Yaqi Zhu & Huizhong Shen & Guofeng Shen & Xuejun Wang & Shu T, 2025. "Declines in anthropogenic mercury emissions in the Global North and China offset by the Global South," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.

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