Assessing net methylmercury production in changing permafrost environments in Old Crow Flats, Yukon

Old Crow Flats (OCF), Yukon, is a forest-tundra ecotone underlain by continuous permafrost characterized by thousands of lakes that is a crucial part of Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation's traditional territory. Permafrost degradation may have implications for mercury (Hg) cycling, as changing terrain conditions can create environments favourable to Hg methylation - transforming inorganic Hg to methylmercury (MeHg), which can bioaccumulate and is neurotoxic. This study describes total mercury (THg) and MeHg concentrations in OCF permafrost degradation features soils, including thermokarst lakes, drained lake basins, and degrading ice-wedge polygons.