Mercury contamination refers to the presence and cycling of mercury, particularly its toxic organic form methylmercury, in environmental and biological systems at concentrations that pose ecological and human health risks. It arises from natural sources (e.g., volcanic activity, weathering) and anthropogenic activities (e.g., coal combustion, artisanal gold mining, industrial discharges), leading to atmospheric transport, deposition, and subsequent transformation by microorganisms in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Research focuses on speciation, bioavailability, biomagnification in food webs, exposure pathways, dose–response relationships, and mitigation strategies, including emission controls, remediation of contaminated sediments and soils, and risk assessment for vulnerable populations.
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