Man-Made Mercury Levels in Oceans Triple

Coal and Related Carbon Resources / Related Environmental Issues

Date posted: 08/06/14

The amount of mercury near the surface of many of the world oceans has tripled as the result of our polluting activities, a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature show. The increased levels of the toxic element, warn the researchers from Wright State University, may have serious implications for marine life, adding that further research could yield more advice on the potential angers to human health. This information may aid our understanding of the processes and the depths at which inorganic mercury species are converted into toxic methyl mercury and subsequently bioaccumulated in marine food webs, the academics from the prestigious Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) said in a statement. Mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants can be reduced by using chemical filters, but while this is increasingly the norm in the rich world many developing countries have yet to catch up. Another source of the metal is from sewage. Developed countries have means to reduce this impact, but again developing countries are less likely to have in place the treatment systems necessary.