Ecotoxicology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
33(4-5), P. 325 - 396
Published: April 29, 2024
Abstract
An
important
provision
of
the
Minamata
Convention
on
Mercury
is
to
monitor
and
evaluate
effectiveness
adopted
measures
its
implementation.
Here,
we
describe
for
first
time
currently
available
biotic
mercury
(Hg)
data
a
global
scale
improve
understanding
efforts
reduce
impact
Hg
pollution
people
environment.
Data
from
peer-reviewed
literature
were
compiled
in
Global
Biotic
Synthesis
(GBMS)
database
(>550,000
points).
These
provide
foundation
establishing
biomonitoring
framework
needed
track
concentrations
biota
globally.
We
exposure
taxa
identified
by
Convention:
fish,
sea
turtles,
birds,
marine
mammals.
Based
GBMS
database,
are
presented
at
relevant
geographic
scales
continents
oceanic
basins.
identify
some
effective
regional
templates
monitoring
methylmercury
(MeHg)
availability
environment,
but
overall
illustrate
that
there
general
lack
initiatives
around
world,
especially
Africa,
Australia,
Indo-Pacific,
Middle
East,
South
Atlantic
Pacific
Oceans.
Temporal
trend
generally
limited.
Ecologically
sensitive
sites
(where
have
above
average
MeHg
tissue
concentrations)
been
throughout
world.
Efforts
model
quantify
ecosystem
sensitivity
locally,
regionally,
globally
could
help
establish
efficient
programs.
present
network
includes
three-step
continental
approach
integrate
existing
prioritize
filling
gaps
linked
with
key
sources.
standardized
builds
an
evidence-based
evaluation
assess
Convention’s
progress
AMBIO,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
52(5), P. 918 - 937
Published: March 23, 2023
Abstract
Environmental
mercury
(Hg)
contamination
is
a
global
concern
requiring
action
at
national
scales.
Scientific
understanding
and
regulatory
policies
are
underpinned
by
extrapolation
of
Northern
Hemisphere
Hg
data,
despite
historical,
political,
socioeconomic
differences
between
the
hemispheres
that
impact
sources
sinks.
In
this
paper,
we
explore
primary
anthropogenic
perturbations
to
emission
mobilization
processes
differ
synthesize
current
implications
for
cycling.
Southern
(SH),
lower
historical
production
other
metals
implies
present-day
legacy
emissions,
but
extent
difference
remains
uncertain.
More
use
fire
higher
deforestation
rates
drive
re-mobilization
terrestrial
Hg,
while
also
removing
vegetation
would
otherwise
provide
sink
atmospheric
Hg.
Prevalent
in
artisanal
small-scale
gold
mining
dominant
source
inputs
environment
tropical
regions.
Meanwhile,
coal-fired
power
stations
continue
be
significant
industrial
non-ferrous
large
growing
contributor.
Major
uncertainties
remain,
hindering
scientific
effective
policy
formulation,
argue
an
urgent
need
prioritize
research
activities
under-sampled
regions
SH.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
121(42)
Published: Oct. 8, 2024
Anthropogenic
activities
emit
~2,000
Mg
y
−1
of
the
toxic
pollutant
mercury
(Hg)
into
atmosphere,
leading
to
long-range
transport
and
deposition
remote
ecosystems.
Global
anthropogenic
emission
inventories
report
increases
in
Northern
Hemispheric
(NH)
Hg
emissions
during
last
three
decades,
contradiction
with
observed
decline
atmospheric
concentrations
at
NH
measurement
stations.
Many
factors
can
obscure
link
between
concentrations,
including
trends
reemissions
previously
released
(“legacy”)
Hg,
sink
variability,
spatial
heterogeneity
monitoring
data.
Here,
we
assess
gaseous
elemental
(Hg
0
)
apply
biogeochemical
box
modeling
chemical
understand
trend
drivers.
Using
linear
mixed
effects
observational
data
from
51
stations,
find
negative
most
regions,
an
overall
for
2005
2020
−0.011
±
0.006
ng
m
−3
(±2
SD).
In
contrast
existing
inventories,
our
analysis
suggests
that
annual
must
have
declined
by
least
140
years
be
consistent
trends.
Faster
declines
95th
percentile
values
than
median
Europe,
North
America,
East
Asian
stations
corroborate
likely
cause
is
a
nearby
rather
background
legacy
reemissions.
Our
results
are
relevant
evaluating
effectiveness
Minamata
Convention
on
Mercury,
demonstrating
incompatible
declines.
Toxics,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
12(3), P. 208 - 208
Published: March 9, 2024
Mercury
(Hg)
is
a
chemical
element
that
poses
risks
to
human
health
due
its
high
toxicity
and
environmental
persistence.
We
determined
the
total
Hg
(THg)
methyl
(MeHg)
concentrations
in
hair
samples
from
residents
of
Demarcação
District
(Porto
Velho,
Rondônia)
Brazilian
Amazon,
as
well
water
fish
samples,
evaluate
factors
influencing
exposure.
The
average
THg
concentration
was
7.86
±
6.78
mg
kg−1
it
significantly
higher
men,
with
an
increasing
trend
related
age.
There
no
significant
difference
between
female
age
groups.
Human
exposure
through
negligible
compared
consumption.
weekly
intake
estimates
community
varied
1.54
4.62
μg
kg−1,
substantially
than
recommended
limit.
species
highest
amounts
safe
for
daily
consumption
were
herbivores
detritivores.
Our
results
contribute
understanding
how
affects
riverside
populations
provide
insights
new
research
develop
methods
mitigate
such
thus
improve
quality
life
Amazonian
people.
Abstract.
Changing
hydrology
impacts
the
biogeochemical
cycling
of
elements
such
as
mercury
(Hg),
whose
transport
and
transformation
in
environment
appear
linked
to
hydroclimate
on
diverse
timescales.
Key
questions
remain
about
how
these
processes
manifest
over
different
timescales
their
potential
environmental
consequences.
For
example,
millennial-scale
Hg-hydroclimate
interactions
terrestrial
realm
are
poorly
understood,
few
sedimentary
records
have
sufficient
length
and/or
resolution
record
abrupt
long-lasting
changes
Hg
cycling,
relative
roles
depositional
changes.
Here,
we
present
a
high-resolution
from
tropical
Lake
Bosumtwi
(Ghana,
West
Africa)
since
~96
ka.
A
coupled
response
is
observed
between
flux
shifts
sediment
composition,
latter
reflecting
lake
level.
Specifically,
find
that
amplitude
frequency
peaks
increase
level
rises,
suggesting
burial
was
enhanced
an
insolation-driven
precipitation
at
~73
more
transient,
threefold
concentration
accumulation
rate
also
recorded
~13
4
ka,
coinciding
with
period
distinctly
higher
rainfall
across
North
Africa
known
African
Humid
Period.
Two
mechanisms,
likely
working
tandem,
could
explain
this
correspondence:
(1)
wet
deposition
by
(2)
efficient
sequestration
organic-hosted
Hg.
Taken
together,
our
results
reaffirm
hydroclimate,
directly
indirectly,
can
be
signals
sediments.
Abstract.
Changing
hydrology
impacts
the
biogeochemical
cycling
of
elements
such
as
mercury
(Hg),
whose
transport
and
transformation
in
environment
appear
linked
to
hydroclimate
on
diverse
timescales.
Key
questions
remain
about
how
these
processes
manifest
over
different
timescales
their
potential
environmental
consequences.
For
example,
millennial-scale
Hg-hydroclimate
interactions
terrestrial
realm
are
poorly
understood,
few
sedimentary
records
have
sufficient
length
and/or
resolution
record
abrupt
long-lasting
changes
Hg
cycling,
relative
roles
depositional
changes.
Here,
we
present
a
high-resolution
from
tropical
Lake
Bosumtwi
(Ghana,
West
Africa)
since
~96
ka.
A
coupled
response
is
observed
between
flux
shifts
sediment
composition,
latter
reflecting
lake
level.
Specifically,
find
that
amplitude
frequency
peaks
increase
level
rises,
suggesting
burial
was
enhanced
an
insolation-driven
precipitation
at
~73
more
transient,
threefold
concentration
accumulation
rate
also
recorded
~13
4
ka,
coinciding
with
period
distinctly
higher
rainfall
across
North
Africa
known
African
Humid
Period.
Two
mechanisms,
likely
working
tandem,
could
explain
this
correspondence:
(1)
wet
deposition
by
(2)
efficient
sequestration
organic-hosted
Hg.
Taken
together,
our
results
reaffirm
hydroclimate,
directly
indirectly,
can
be
signals
sediments.
Environmental Chemistry,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
22(1)
Published: Jan. 28, 2025
Environmental
context
The
pristine
oligotrophic
lakes
of
Andean
Patagonia
are
influenced
by
volcanic
eruptions
and
atmospheric
deposition.
This
study
focuses
on
mercury
(Hg)
dynamics
in
two
connected
a
natural
Hg
hotspot
the
southern
Andes.
lake
waters
have
low
dissolved
organic
carbon
moderate
to
high
concentrations,
resulting
availability.
These
promote
binding
particulates,
thereby
favouring
its
incorporation
into
food
webs.
Rationale
Mercury
hotspots
been
identified
areas
northern
Patagonian
Andes
(South
America).
In
this
study,
we
investigated
spatial
seasonal
patterns
total
(THg)
Nahuel
Huapi
National
Park
(Argentina),
adjacent
Puyehue
Cordón
Caulle
complex
(Chile).
We
hypothesise
that
THg
levels
linked
terrestrial
inputs
in-lake
processes
influence
distribution
Methodology
Water
samples
were
collected
seasonally
Pire
(shallow)
Brazo
Rincón
branch
L.
(BR,
deep).
concentration
was
studied
together
with
physicochemical
variables,
including
quality
matter
(DOM).
measured
cold
vapour
atomic
fluorescence
spectrometry
(CVAF)
DOM
characterised
through
absorbtion
spectroscopy.
Results
Lakes
showed
concentrations
remarkable
increased
downwards
landscape
associated
prints,
indicating
co-transport
from
catchment
during
connectivity
periods
(from
winter
early
summer).
summer,
higher
mineralisation
(higher
inorganic
carbon,
DIC)
diffusion
sediments,
especially
shallow
lake.
availability
related
pool
suspended
solids
(TSS)
year
round.
biotic
contribution
TSS
chlorophyll-a:TSS)
BR
indicated
phytoplankton
Discussion
Pristine
sources
potential
for
accumulation
webs
because
their
typically
DOC
result
availability,
promoting
abiotic
particles.
