November Monthly Meeting: Dr. Britt Hall

Dr. Hall studies the way that mercury (Hg) moves within our environment.  Hg is emitted when we burn coal and travels in the atmosphere for up to a year and a half before being deposited on our landscapes.  Hg is then transformed into methylmercury (MeHg), a neurotoxin that bioaccumulates in aquatic food webs.  For people relying on fish as a food source, the potential for MeHg poisoning is a concern.  The production of MeHg is mediated by bacteria that thrive in low oxygen environments such as wetlands.  Here in SK, we have many, many wetlands - commonly called prairie potholes or sloughs.  These wetland ponds with high concentrations of dissolved organic carbon and sulphate have higher concentrations of MeHg in the water, but until recently we didn't know why.  In her talk she will explain what they think is happening to the mercury cycle in these systems and speculate on how climate change may affect these processes.  By identifying the controls on MeHg production, her students and herself hope to help protect wildlife in these valuable wetland environments.

This will be an in person event. 

For those who wish to attend virtually: a Zoom link will be provided via email to registrants.