A synthesis of mercury research in the Southern Hemisphere, part 1: Natural processes

AMBIO, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 52(5), P. 897 - 917

Published: March 21, 2023

Abstract Recent studies demonstrate a short 3–6-month atmospheric lifetime for mercury (Hg). This implies Hg emissions are predominantly deposited within the same hemisphere in which they emitted, thus placing increasing importance on considering sources, sinks and impacts from hemispheric perspective. In absence of comprehensive data Southern Hemisphere (SH), estimates inventories SH have been drawn collected NH, with assumption that NH broadly applicable. this paper, we centre uniqueness context natural biogeochemical cycling, focus midlatitudes tropics. Due to its uniqueness, Antarctica warrants an exclusive review contribution cycling is therefore excluded review. We identify describe five key differences between hemispheres affect Hg: biome heterogeneity, vegetation type, ocean area, methylation hotspot zones occurence volcanic activities. current state knowledge each difference, as well gaps impede our understanding SH. The limitations using infer processes

Language: Английский

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Environmental contamination and climate change in Antarctic ecosystems: an updated overview

Environmental Science Advances, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3(4), P. 543 - 560

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

The review presents a complete update of previous reviews on the topics environmental contamination, climate change and human impact Antarctic ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Aquatic Mercury Pollution from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Sub-Saharan Africa: Status, Impacts, and Interventions

Water, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(5), P. 756 - 756

Published: March 2, 2024

Mercury (Hg) pollution remains an environmental global concern due to its non-degradable and toxic nature. Natural anthropogenic sources of Hg adversely affect the functioning aquatic ecosystems biological processes. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), unregulated artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) contributes up 20% production uses 205–496 tonnes/yr Hg. Despite being a vital economic driver for 20–30 million people, ASGM threatens health systems from pollution, presenting complex challenge that demands urgent interventions. This review seeks (1) establish current status (2) explore impacts Hg, (3) highlight proposed interventions in SSA. We examined publications institutional reports between 2000 2023 addressing impacts, Results indicate rise expansion intensification ASGM. West remained highest contributor (50.2%), followed by Central (39.6%), Southern (9.6%), Eastern (<1%). Contamination freshwater ecosystems, toxicity biota, risks humans were evident. Alternative Hg-free technologies, including physical, metallurgical, pyrometallurgical, investigated case studies recommended adoption.

Language: Английский

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Trends in Mercury Contamination Distribution among Human and Animal Populations in the Amazon Region

Toxics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(3), P. 204 - 204

Published: March 7, 2024

Mercury contamination in the Amazon arising from both natural sources and intensive mining activities region is a significant public health concern. This metal used to separate Au sediments. Accordingly, this study aimed assess impact of on mercury animal human populations Amazon. overall objective was pursued through systematic review existing literature Hg identify gaps geographic coverage assessment. Herein, we employed PECO PRISMA-ScR protocols select articles published between 2017 2023 based projected points map within biogeographic boundaries We found that concentrations increase with trophic levels, reaching high values 3.7 µg/g muscles predatory fish 34.9 hair. The mean level hair whole (Amazon) exceeds 6 µg/g, surpassing tolerance levels. Although regions show Hg, highest incidence observed among fish-based diets. It concluded continuous research monitoring are required order accurately risk associated contamination, especially since main source protein region.

Language: Английский

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Unexpected anthropogenic emission decreases explain recent atmospheric mercury concentration declines

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.

Language: Английский

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Climate change driven effects on transport, fate and biogeochemistry of trace element contaminants in coastal marine ecosystems

Communications Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5(1)

Published: Oct. 4, 2024

Language: Английский

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Mercury in Fish and Human Hair and Estimated Dietary Intake in a Riverside Community of the Madeira River Basin in the Brazilian Amazon

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.

Language: Английский

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Native accumulator plants with a differential mercury phytoremediation potential in a region in Southern Amazon

Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 31(54), P. 63120 - 63135

Published: Oct. 30, 2024

Language: Английский

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Statistical assessment of an atmospheric mercury passive sampler at a regional site in South Africa

Environmental Science Atmospheres, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

This study evaluates the Mercury Passive Air Sampler ( Mer PAS®) as a cost-effective alternative to active sampling for atmospheric mercury monitoring at Welgegund measurement station in South Africa.

Language: Английский

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Mercury in an Australian sclerophyll Eucalyptus forest and emissions from fuel reduction prescribed burning

Environmental Chemistry, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 22(1), P. NULL - NULL

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Environmental context Understanding how mercury cycles through the environment is crucial for protecting ecosystems and human health. Our study among first to measure concentrations in Eucalyptus forest soils litter estimate emissions from prescribed burns, addressing a significant gap current knowledge. These new data enhance our understanding of cycling Australia contribute global information on biogeochemical cycle mercury.Rationale Research Australian sparse. This aims address this knowledge by investigating pools soil eucalypt Victoria, Australia.Methodology We analysed total O A horizon soils, twig, bark leaf litter. Soil samples were collected an area affected burn unburned areas. Additionally, base tree stems taken The organic matter content all was also assessed.Results In mean at stems, O-horizon 143±61, 112±71 56±30ngg−1 respectively. burned horizons 91±63 46±19ngg−1 Mercury leaf, twig averaged 71±11, 21±13 8±4ngg−1 emission factor estimated as 0.247gHgha−1.Discussion studied sclerophyll represents reservoir. Burning did not significantly alter burden soil; however, occur. finding underscores need more comprehensive research into suggests that burning practices should account potential emissions.

Language: Английский

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