Mercury isotopes reveal climate and physiology driven divergence in foliar Hg0 recycling mechanisms across tropical and subtropical forests

Key Points

• Foliar recycling mechanisms exhibit significant divergence driven by climate and physiological factors in tropical and subtropical forests.
• The analysis indicates that mercury isotopes are crucial for understanding the differing recycling processes in these ecosystems.
• Observational analysis across various forest types highlights the complex interplay between climate conditions and mercury dynamics in foliage.
• This study suggests that understanding these mechanisms may enable better management strategies for forest ecosystems affected by mercury.