Andrea Pearl P.

Arro STEM 11- QUASARS

Amira Kassandra B. Alvior

MERCURY POLUTION

CONCEPT PAPER

Mercury emissions know no national or continental boundaries. Mercury emitted into the
air can travel thousands of miles in the atmosphere before it is eventually deposited back to the
earth in rainfall or in dry gaseous form. Mercury is recognized as a toxic, persistent, and mobile
contaminant; it does not degrade in the environment and becomes mobile because of the
volatility of the element and several of its compounds. Moreover, mercury has the ability to be
transported within air masses over very long distances.

Mercury is a highly potent neurotoxin that impacts the function and development of the
central nervous system in both people and wildlife. Exposure to mercury is particularly
dangerous for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children, since mercury is most
harmful in the early stages of development.
Mercury is a highly toxic element that is found both naturally and as an introduced
contaminant in the environment. Although its potential for toxicity in highly contaminated areas
such as Minamata Bay, Japan, in the 1950's and 1960's, is well documented, research has shown
that mercury can be a threat to the health of people and wildlife in many environments that are
not obviously polluted. The risk is determined by the likelihood of exposure, the form of
mercury present (some forms are more toxic than others), and the geochemical and ecological
factors that influence how mercury moves and changes form in the environment.
Levels of mercury in the environment are increasing due to discharge from hydroelectric,
mining, pulp, and paper industries. Incineration of municipal and medical waste and emissions
from coal-using power plants also contribute to high levels of mercury. Mercury is a persistent,
bioaccumulative, toxic pollutant. When released into the environment, it accumulates in water
laid sediments where it converts into toxic methylmercury and enters the food chain.
Methylmercury [CH3Hg] is the most toxic form. It affects the Immune system and damages the
nervous system, including coordination and the senses of touch, taste, and sight. Exposure to
methylmercury is usually by ingestion, and it is absorbed more readily and excreted more slowly
than other forms of mercury. People are exposed to methylmercury almost entirely by eating
contaminated fish and wildlife that are at the top of aquatic food chains. The inhalation of
Mercury vapour can produce harmful effects. There are several ways to prevent adverse health
effects, including promoting clean energy, stopping the use of mercury in gold mining,
eliminating the mining of mercury and phasing out non-essential mercury-containing products.
At Minamata Bay in Japan, more than 100 people lost their lives and many thousands
more were permanently paralyzed from eating mercury contaminated fish. In the long history of
water pollution, this was the first known case where the natural bioaccumulation (in fish) of a
toxicant from an industrial wastewater killed a large number of human beings. The mercury,
discharged from a factory, was deposited on the bottom of the Bay and has remained there since
the 1950's.The fate of the mercury was traced by measuring 268 mercury concentrations in the
surface sediments at Yatsushiro Sea (outside of the Bay) during the last 14 years. Twenty-four
sampling stations were established to collect samples at the same location every year. Samples
were analyzed for total mercury concentrations.

 In June 2017, the Philippine health and environment authorities reported an outbreak in
two villages in Puerto Princesa City of what appeared to be a Minamata disease. Many of those
Puerto Princesa residents complained of experiencing these symptoms. Subsequent tests
confirmed that these residents possessed high levels of mercury in their blood, hairs and/or urine.
This result prompted the declaration of health crisis. Investigation further revealed that the
primary cause of the illness was the consumption of fish and shellfish in the lake which used to
be an old mine pit operated by a mining company from 1955 until its closure in 1976. 
 Although mercury is a globally dispersed contaminant, it is not a problem everywhere.
Aside from grossly polluted environments, mercury is normally a problem only where the rate of
natural formation of methylmercury from inorganic mercury is greater than the reverse reaction.

The hazardous effects of mercury exposure are numerous and frequently irreversible,
endangering human health. The most vulnerable are young children and developing fetuses.
Wildlife and ecosystems are also harmed by mercury pollution. Although mercury is a globally
dispersed contaminant, it is not a problem everywhere. Aside from grossly polluted
environments, mercury is normally a problem only where the rate of natural formation of
methylmercury from inorganic mercury is greater than the reverse reaction.

Reference:
https://www.nature.com/articles/srep46545
https://people.uwec.edu/piercech/hg/mercury_water/sources.htm