Mercury (Hg) is recognised as priority pollutant, impacting polar marine communities. Although phytoand zooplankton are key components in polar marine systems, little is known about Hg effects on natural communities. The volcanic-Hg impacted Deception Island in Antarctica provides perfect conditions to understand Hg effects on phyto- and zooplankton, their physiological response and resistance mechanisms to cope with Hg contamination and its impacts on Hg biogeochemical cycling. In the project, Hg availability, phyto- and zooplankton community features, physiological (photosynthesis, respiration) and biochemical information (pigments, fatty acids (FA), reactive oxygen species (ROS) reaction products, antioxidants) will be integrated with a metagenomics approach. The proposed research will provide lacking fundamental knowledge on interactions between phyto- and zooplankton and Hg cycling in austral ecosystems, with potential application to other Hg contaminated environments worldwide.

Members on this project

Fernando J. Mendes Gonçalves
Researcher

Joana Luísa Pereira
Researcher

Mário Pacheco
Coordinator

Patrícia A. Oliveira Pereira Kowalski
Researcher

Tânia Daniela da Silva Vidal
Researcher