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Updated: May 12, 2026
09:33
An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium
Published on: December 17, 2018
Mercury as a global pollutant: sources, pathways, and effects.
Charles T Driscoll1, Robert P Mason, Hing Man Chan
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States. ctdrisco@syr.edu
Environmental Science & Technology
|April 18, 2013
Summary
Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant impacting ecosystems and human health. Understanding its sources, global cycling, and the conversion to methylmercury is crucial for effective pollution control policies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Global Biogeochemical Cycles
Background:
- Mercury (Hg) is a pervasive global pollutant with significant impacts on human and ecosystem health.
- Anthropogenic Hg emissions now substantially exceed natural sources, leading to increased environmental reservoirs and global distribution.
- Understanding Hg dynamics is critical for assessing risks and developing effective control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current knowledge on mercury sources, atmospheric-land-ocean dynamics, and health effects.
- To evaluate the implications of mercury control policies.
- To link scientific understanding with policy development for mercury mitigation.
Main Methods:
- Literature synthesis of mercury sources and biogeochemical cycling.
- Analysis of atmospheric deposition, evasion, and transformation processes.
- Review of human and wildlife exposure pathways, particularly via methylmercury in fish.
Main Results:
- Anthropogenic mercury emissions dominate over natural sources, increasing environmental reservoirs.
- Mercury's long-term fate is sequestration in soil and deep ocean pools over centuries.
- Methylmercury production in various environments links inorganic mercury to human and wildlife exposure, primarily through fish consumption.
- Developing fetuses are highly vulnerable to methylmercury's neurotoxic effects.
Conclusions:
- Effective mercury pollution control requires integrating scientific understanding with national and international policy efforts.
- Targeting emission sources and understanding long-term fate are essential for policy efficacy.
- Continued research and monitoring are necessary to evaluate and adapt mercury management strategies.
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