May 3rd, 2009
How that mercury gets into your salmon
A study of mercury pollution finally shows how mercery from natural and human-controlled sources gets through the rain cycle and into the ocean and its inhabitants. The research shows mercury levels in the Pacific rose 30% in the fifteen years prior to 2006. Also, much of the mercury in the ocean comes from man-induced pollution of the atmoshere.
Mercury is a usual contaminant in coal and burning coal releases mercury compounds into the air. Mercury content in petroleum is generally much lower than in coal. 19th Century gold mining talings oftencontain considerable liquid mercurya ndmercury compounds. It was once a popular way of separating native gold from other rocks and minerals. Then the mercury was simply washed downstream.
There is clearly a greentech business in scrubbing mercury from power plant exhalations. Another major source of mercury: products that contain the element or its compounds deliberately, from compact flourescent bulbs to dental fillings to electrical switches. Don’t you love thinking about mercury in your gold fillings? Mercury from products is being reduced, at least in America. But, like ozone destrloying refrigerants that were finally banned gloablly, mercury will be used as long as its legal and efficient.
A newsman since 1969, Harry Fuller has worked for CBS, ABC, CNBC Europe, CNET and was founding news director at TechTV. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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