US EPA

2462056 

Journal Article 

Mercury as a global pollutant: Sources, pathways, and effects 

Driscoll, CT; Mason, RP; Chan, H; Jacob, DJ; Pirrone, N 

2013 

Yes 

Environmental Science & Technology
ISSN: 0013-936X
EISSN: 1520-5851 

Amer Chemical Soc 

WASHINGTON 

47 

10 

4967-4983 

English 

23590191 

10.1021/es305071v 

WOS:000319708600004 

https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/mercury-as-global-pollutant-sources-pathways/docview/2000277931/se-2?accountid=171501
Exit
 

Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant that affects human and ecosystem health. We synthesize understanding of sources, atmosphere land ocean Hg dynamics and health effects, and consider the implications of Hg-control policies. Primary anthropogenic Hg emissions greatly exceed natural geogenic sources, resulting in increases in Hg reservoirs and subsequent secondary Hg emissions that facilitate its global distribution. The ultimate fate of emitted Hg is. primarily recalcitrant soil pools and deep ocean waters and sediments. Transfers of Hg emissions to largely unavailable reservoirs occur over the time scale of centuries, and are primarily mediated through atmospheric exchanges of wet/dry deposition and evasion from vegetation, soil organic matter and ocean surfaces. A key link between inorganic Hg inputs and exposure of humans and wildlife is the net production of methylmercury, which occurs mainly in reducing zones in freshwater, terrestrial, and coastal environments, and the subsurface ocean. Elevated human exposure to methylmercury primarily results from consumption of estuarine and marine fish. Developing fetuses are most at risk from this neurotoxin but health effects of highly exposed populations and wildlife are also a concern. Integration of Hg science with national and international policy efforts is needed to target efforts and evaluate efficacy. 

article; at-risk population; dry deposition; emissions; environmental health; estuaries; freshwater; geographical distribution; international policy and programs; marine fish; mercury; methylmercury compounds; neurotoxins; pollutants; sediments; soil nutrient dynamics; soil organic matter; vegetation; wildlife 

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY