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Levels of mercury pollution in the Earth’s atmosphere have increased 7-fold since 1500, a new study shows.
The atmosphere originally contained about 580 metric tons of mercury before emissions of the substance due to human activities began. In 2015, the concentration of Hg in the atmosphere was as high as 4,000 metric tons.
Environmental scientist Elsie M. Sunderland of Harvard University said that understanding the natural cycle of mercury caused by volcanic emissions helps set policy goals for reducing mercury emissions and assess the full environmental impact of human activity.
Mercury, especially its form methylmercury, is highly toxic to humans. We get it in significant quantities by consuming fish and seafood.
