Yellowstone Thermal Feature Mercury and Methylmercury Characterization

Data in this data release were obtained from water samples collected under Yellowstone National Park (YNP) Research Permit YELL-05194 in 2017, 2019, and 2020 through the Integrated Yellowstone Studies Project funded by the Mineral Resources Program. These samples were used to assess mercury cycling within YNP. Water samples were analyzed for total mercury and methylmercury, the bioaccumulated form in food webs. This data informs the biogeochemical processes controlling the broad range of mercury and methylmercury concentrations observed in the park. Natural abundance mercury stable isotopes were also collected to determine if mercury sources or cycling processes varied between different hydrothermal sources. Data produced as part of this study outlines how the different physicochemical processes, including mixing between meteoric and hydrothermal waters, boiling, and sorption, affect mercury isotope values in YNP.